WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 ACOUSTIC/FOLK Dave McGrath. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 99 Court St. 585325-7090. 9 p.m. Free. Traditional Irish Session w/ Cathy & Lynn. McGraw’s Irish Pub, 146 W Commercial St. 348-9091. 7 p.m. Free. JAZZ Nick Finzerr CD Release Show. Lovin’ Cup, 300 Park Point Dr. 292-9940. 9:30 p.m. $3-$5. The band Upstate played at Montage Music Hall Friday, February 8. PHOTO BY FRANK DE BLASE
Michaela Anne TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 ABILENE BAR & LOUNGE, 153 LIBERTY POLE WAY 8 P.M. | FREE 21+/$3 UNDER | 232-3230, ABILENEBARANDLOUNGE.COM [ AMERICANA ] This self-managing, self-promoting folk
siren currently hails from Brooklyn, but grew up as part of a globetrotting military family. Despite changing addresses as much as she changed her socks, Michaela Anne still found time to satisfy her musical appetites by studying the violin, piano, and guitar. This combination of landscapes, physical and auditory, has informed a well-seasoned sound that skillfully fuses country, blues, and folk. Anne’s young career has already seen critical acclaim for her 2011 album “To Know Where,” as well as comprehensive tours of both coasts, where she has played with the likes of Frontier Ruckus and Michael Daves. — BY DAVID YOCKEL, JR.
Mitty & The Followers THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 STICKY LIPS BBQ JUKE JOINT, 830 JEFFERSON ROAD 8 P.M. | $5 | 292-5544, STICKYLIPSBBQ.COM [ R & B/SOUL ] Eric “Mitty” Moore — a.k.a the
Ambassador of Soul — leads this powerful, energetic R & B outfit with solid, sophisticated bass lines and a staggering vocal range. Stevie Lyons adds the right amount of spice with his edgy, Southern-rockish guitar work, while Sammy “G” controls the keys with a sound dripping with blues and gospel influences. Rounding out the mix is drummer Paul Mastriani whose unassuming but steady rhythmic approach is the perfect foundation for this soulful reimagining of your mama’s Motown. — BY DAVID YOCKEL, JR.
UMI
Rock ’n’ roll roustabout [ REVIEW ] BY FRANK DE BLASE
I knew he could do it, I just didn’t realize how well. Bassist Todd Bradley has the chops and the pipes for sure, as he demonstrates as a a member of popular Rochester trio The Hi-Risers. But Thursday, February 7, at Abilene, armed with an acoustic and those aforementioned vocal cords (a foundation-rumbling collision between Ernest Tubb and Barry White), Bradley wove his way in and around songs by Dion, Buddy Holly, and of course The Hi-Risers. Often, a lone troubadour in a bar is background, a bed track for the alcoholfueled come-ons and the get-losts, or it can be loud and over bearing. Bradley was neither as he anchored the elusive drum-less beat and crooned casually. I’m tired of working in metaphors for the cold, so let’s just say that I went out for some rock ’n’ roll minus my nuts Friday night. The music made its way out on to the street. It was experimental Sandwich wrapping up its set at Montage Music Hall. The band had a groovy back and forth that hinted lightly at reggae or reggae-influenced bands like Sublime without all the sunshine and peace. Upstate followed with a solid set of jammed-out progressiveness. I want to describe the band as slightly psychedelic-
leaning, but wonder if the light and fog visuals planted that seed. Too late, Upstate is psychedelic, and an open-minded unit unafraid to try anything. The crowd was light but that seemed to have little bearing on the band’s collective thrill and output. The love flowed as copiously as the cream ale at Skylark Lounge on Sunday for Rochester rock ’n’ roll scenester Rebecca Lieving, who is currently battling cancer. Tons of people wedged their way into the joint to wish her well, support the cause, and dig on the bands that donated their time and tunes. Babayaga kicked things off loud and proud. It’s odd to hear a band his heavy with sunlight streaming through the windows. It somehow seems out of context. Despite the priceless look of alarm on the faces of those unfamiliar with the band, it sounded mighty and malevolently cool. The Sisters of Murphy followed, but the daylight had no impact here as this band simply belongs in a bar any time of day or night. SOM has that keen balance of tradition and rock ’n’ roll roustabout that has the music converting others outside the Gaelic scene. You can’t help but dance and drink a little faster. Get well soon, Rebecca. Rochester rock ’n’ roll — and its rock ’n’ rollers — love you and need you.
POP/ROCK Divinex w/Veracult, Tarantula, Experiment #27. Tala Vera, 155 State St. 546-3845. 8 p.m. $5-$7. Rash w/ Cuss, AEATH. Bug Jar, 219 Monroe Ave. 9 p.m. $6-$8.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 ACOUSTIC/FOLK Jim Lane. Murph’s Irondequoit Pub, 705 Titus Ave. 342-6780. 8 p.m. Free. Joe Mooney. McGraw’s Irish Pub, 146 W Commercial St. 348-9091. 7 p.m. Free. The Pickpockets. Little Theatre Café, 240 East Ave. 7:30 p.m. Free. Serge w/Steve Melcher & Drew Moore. The Rabbit Room, 61 N. Main St. 5821830. 6 p.m. Free. DJ/ELECTRONIC Kiss 106.7 1st Ever Valentine’s Day Stop Light Party. Grotto, 7 Lawrence St. 739-5377. 10 p.m. Call for info. JAZZ Cafe Music w/Shades of Red Piano Trio. Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N Plymouth Ave. 454-4596. 7 p.m. $5-$10. Deborah Branch. Lemoncello, 137 West Commercial St. 385-8565. 6 p.m. Free. continues on page 15
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