indie rock

October 9, 2015 - 3:11pm
Jessica Posner, a Syracuse University professor and "riot-grrl" singer, hosts a feminist rock showcase to counteract a local music scene dominated by men.

Indie music, cheap beers and interesting conversation makes for a usual Friday night at Spark Contemporary Art Space. This past Oct. 2, feminist punks clad in floral prints, combat boots and bandanas screamed, crooned, strummed and shredded raw emotion, angst and revolution in front of a rowdy crowd nodding and moshing along.

April 17, 2013 - 12:21pm
The Brooklyn-based rockers performed with Delicate Steve at the Westcott on Sunday April 14.

The audience was a curious mix of ages Sunday night at the Westcott Theater. Waiting to see the Brooklyn-based Dirty Projectors and opener Delicate Steve were the typical retinue of university students and 20-something locals as well as younger fans driven by, and at times attending with, their parents.

February 14, 2013 - 10:55pm
Review: Syracuse-based band The Vanderbuilts released "I Wish I Was a Saber-Toothed Tiger" Feb. 14 via their website and YouTube.

"I Wish I Was a Saber Tooth-Tiger" starts out slow and melodic, a guitar progression accompanied by a few plucked banjo notes. But much like its accompanying video, it quickly morphs into something imaginative and upbeat, fluid vocals layered over guitar riffs, piano and violin.

If it's any indication of what's to be expected on The Vanderbuilts' second album, we can expect something great.

February 4, 2013 - 1:42pm
The Brooklyn-based indie-rock band returns to Manhattan with some strings attached, courtesy of the classical music sextet yMusic.

The 120-year-old Carnegie Hall has an imposing presence that tends to hang over many artists who perform on the Ronald O. Perelman Stage. The decade-old experimental rock group Dirty Projectors was no exception, and stood in stark contrast to the aging venue during their show on Friday Jan. 11.

July 30, 2012 - 11:33am
Review: Local music fans treated to a gutsy and powerful performance Sunday night at Paper Mill Island.

Instant applause broke out as Brittany Howard strapped on her guitar and took to the stage at Paper Mill Island in Baldwinsville.

The lead singer of Alabama Shakes led her band to a speedy start without an introduction on the breezy Sunday night. It became clearer that an intro was unnecessary as the crowd began to sing every word along with Howard during the opener, "Goin' to the Party."

April 8, 2011 - 1:03am
Review: Hometown heroes and SU alums provide a top-level performance Thursday while reminiscing a bit about how it all started.

A full house of college-aged students and Syracuse locals played a game of patience. They waited to see Ra Ra Riot's performance for nearly three hours after The Westcott Theater doors opened last night, but the group's passionate and energetic delivery of a wholesome setlist, lasting a little over an hour, was well worth the wait.

April 6, 2011 - 6:21pm
Otto-Tune music blogger Seth Sommerfield breaks down the annual Austin, Texas, music event's best sets, breakout bands and acts coming soon to CNY.

If one word could describe SXSW it would be “exhausting,” but in a very, very awesome way. 

For of four days, Austin, TX becomes the epicenter for the music world.  Live music pours out of every nook and cranny from noon to the late hours of the morning.  SXSW is an audio barrage that pummels even the most intense listeners into a tired mess so full of bliss that all one could want is to hibernate and dream of even more music.

March 18, 2011 - 7:47am
SXSW keeps a' rollin' along in Austin and The NewsHouse was on the scene to seek out the best of day two.

Downtown Austin was even more abuzz as the second day of SXSW commenced.  Not only were more bands and fans rolling into town, but there were also two little events you may have heard of (St. Patrick’s Day and the opening of the NCAA Tournament) bringing more non-music folk out.  Needless to say, it appears that some of these individuals may have had an alcoholic beverage or two (or six or twelve).  But that’s just atmospheric ornamentation.  On to the more pressing matter of the actual tuneage of day two…

March 7, 2011 - 10:16pm
Pete Yorn came back to his alma mater (along with Ben Kweller) to deliver an intimate performance at The Westcott. Here's a glimpse at what the experience was like through the notes of folks in the building.

First things first, the show seemed to go over well for all in attendance. Ben Kweller in particular moved his fans enough to take to Twitter.

February 12, 2011 - 5:45pm
Sarongs latest gig at The Lost Horizon proved there's no excuse to miss their next one.

If you haven’t listened to Sarongs yet, do it now. Click away from whatever other
diversion you’re currently enthralled with and check them out. Then make every effort to see
them play live as soon and as often as you can. February 26 at The Lost Horizon would be a good start.