Spotify Playlist: A pregame playlist before NipperFest

SCHENECTADY – A collection of 17 local artists is set to perform at Music Haven as Nipperfest Music and Arts Festival kicks off for a second year on Saturday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This year, The NipperFest Music & Arts Festival will feature Billboard AAA Top 40 artists Jocelyn & Chris, headlining a one-day event that promises to highlight over a dozen Capital Region performers on two stages at Music Haven (Google Map) on Saturday, July 22, from 11 am to 10 pm.

Jocelyn & Chris and their band have charted five consecutive commercial radio singles in the Billboard AAA Top 40. They took two records to #1 on the Relix Jambands Top 30 and appeared nationally on NBC’s Today Show. The siblings, both graduates of Harvard University, have recorded eight albums and perform coast to coast.

The two headline a show that features artists at the top of their respective talents in a variety of genres, all showcased at Music Haven for one night. Below is a playlist highlighting a few songs from each artist’s Spotify catalog. Scroll down further to read over the biographies of some of the bands.

Deb Cavanaugh 

Deb Cavanaugh has been described as having “a unique blend of blues, rock & roll, folk and more, Deb Cavanaugh and Dandelion Wine play “psychedelic folk.” Very much like Deb Cavanaugh’s former band, General Eclectic, Dandelion Wine’s music includes many musical styles with original music and unique covers. Currently, Dandelion Wine is Deb Cavanaugh on mountain dulcimer, guitar and lead vocals, Jared Carrozza on upright bass and melodica, Anders Johansson on guitar and back-up vocals, and Andy DeBell on drums and back-up vocals.”

The Sugar Hold

Hailing from Troy, The Sugar Hold consists of Mikey Baish on guitar and vocals, Dan Clark on lead guitar, Matt Malone on bass and vocals, and John Olander on drums. A band labeled as “surf-punk,” groups they could actually be compared to like the Crickets, the Beach Boys, early Beatles, or the Clash are not going to be bands they sound very much like given over fifty years of changes to production and instruments. Instead, The Sugar Hold puts together an eclectic mix of all the great rock bands from the 50s to today. The Sugar Hold strives to promote the good times and feelings that make their music so enjoyable. The party’s just beginning.

Rhoseway

Rhoseway is the creative solo project of singer and songwriter Rob Fleming. A long-desired creative outlet of unique and engaging indie-alternative rock, with influences drawing from Jeff Buckley and Radiohead to Soundgarden and Neil Young. Riding on three separate releases of dual-singles, with the latest being the melodically lush drone of 2022’s “Country Sunrise” and up-tempo dynamic guitar layering of 2023’s “Cloak & Dagger.” Performing as a solo electric act or three-piece band. All writing, arrangements, and production were done solo. 

Angelina Valente

Angelina Valente’s sincere music, complete with her honest lyrics, makes you really listen to her voice so uninhibited; there’s no limit to what she can do with it. She grew up in Galway, New York, developing a deep love for nature and quiet, both of which feed and inspire her music, making you want to curl up with a warm cup of tea. She has since gone on to release two EPs and four singles. She played a sold-out performance at The Cock ‘n Bull restaurant just this past January and has recorded at the esteemed Village Studios in L.A., as well as the Atlantic Records Studio in New York.

Precious Metals

Precious Metals is a solo endeavor led by Troy singer-songwriter J Lee White, featuring a band of established local musicians–Mateo Vosganian (drums), Rich Derbyshire (bass) and Chase Keener (keys, guitar).

The band’s high-energy alt-rock sound pulls from the early 2000s emo explosion and 2010s indie rock revival. In their short time on the scene, they have taken the stage at Albany’s Pearlpalooza and Tulip Fest, traveled to the celebrated Mile of Music in Wisconsin, and played the inaugural Bacchanalia festival in Troy. Precious Metals’ debut EP, Candid Chemicals, dropped in November 2022.

Camtron5000

Camtron5000, a rapper from Albany, has been creating alternative hip-hop music since 2016. Recording mainly at Foster House Studios in the Washington Ave Armory, Camtron5000 makes music that he hopes will break the stereotypes of what it means to be a rapper. Channeling a dynamic yet playful energy with his skilled lyricism and sporting a logo crafted from his own gapped smile, Camtron5000 is a musical personality unlike any other.

Hold On Honeys

Hold On Honeys is an indie folk minimalist vocal trio based in Troy. The band offers tight-knit harmonies to nourish the soul & invigorate the senses and is made up of Emily Curro, Raya Malcolm, Shannon Rafferty, and the three gentlemen that back them up, Connor Armbruster, Michael Gregg, and Matt Malone. 

“Hold On Honeys Live at the Jive Hive is everything a live record should be – authentic and inviting, tied together with fierce passion from everybody involved,” said Nippertown’s Sabrina Truehart. “From the vocal nuances that differ with every song to the sisterly connection of Curro, Malcolm, and Rafferty, Hold On Honeys have proven they deserve a place in the folk realm with their newest release.”

Jimi W.

Jimi W. is a singer-songwriter based out of the capital region of Upstate NY. He previously fronted the nationally acclaimed rock band, Dark Honey. His sound combines influences from songwriting legends such as James Taylor, John Prine, and Tom Waits with a modern eclectic indie-folk twist. His captivating voice, unforgettable lyrics, and deft guitar playing make him an act not to be missed!

The E-Block

The E-Block is a five-piece indie R&B band based in Upstate New York, blending the acoustic warmth of singer-songwriter music with an ice-cold rhythm section informed by modern R&B. Founded by guitarist Luke Pascarella in 2019; the band has grown to include saxophonist James Soren, keyboardist Devin Tetlak, bassist Daniel Folds, and drummer Leroy “Rudy” Dalton. With a deep bag of influences and free-flowing style, The E-Block has earned a reputation as a unique live act in the Capital Region scene and beyond. Follow their Instagram @eblockmusic for all the current action, including the release of their new song “Calling” (June ‘23). 

Lucas Garrett

Lucas Garrett has played professionally for over ten years. Incorporating his idiosyncratic vocal stylings with an unusual blend of progressive rock, folk, new wave, and indie, Lucas has created a unique sound that audiences enjoy time and time again. In a short time, Lucas has gained attention, releasing one full-length record and three EPs.

With his latest release, Reaching Through Dreams (2022), Garrett explores the vulnerable: the acceptance of love in his life, the anxiety that comes from it, and the path forward. Those listening will witness a songwriter continuing to hone his craft: “[Garrett] is one of the most distinct voices in the 518 music scene. On Reaching Through Dreams, he puts his musicianship and songwriting skills to work, displaying the talents and personality that have made him one of the more thoughtful artists in our area.” (Jim Shahen Jr., Times Union, 2022).

Garrett, armed with a “rumbling baritone” and songs that are “sneaky with unexpected turns and inventive instrumentation” (Amy Biancolli, Times Union, 2019), has found people of all ages enjoying his music, on and off the stage.

Brule County Bad Boys

Brule County Bad Boys was born in a tiny little Brule County, South Dakota jail cell. Singer/Songwriter Josh Coletto found himself with time, some loose leaf paper & and the beautiful distraction of writing words. Back on the streets, Josh & Tex got together to hit the studio and begin production on the album “Chamberlain.” It wasn’t long before the gang took the show to honky tonks and back alleys of Troy, gaining admirers, enemies, and devoted fans. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for their live shows and upcoming releases.

Margo Macero Band

The Margo Macero Band, led by the captivating Margo Macero on lead vocals and guitar, delivers vibrant and recognizable country music that will have you dancing and singing along. Margo’s mesmerizing voice and electrifying guitar skills make her a rising star with a loyal following. The band also features Martina Louis on bass guitar, Jeff Madden on guitar, and Dave Goldenberg on drums, each adding their remarkable talents to create an unforgettable musical experience. With their debut album in the works and singles receiving rave reviews, the band is redefining modern country music and becoming a sought-after up-and-coming sensation. Don’t miss their enchanting melodies and heartfelt lyrics that will leave you wanting more.