Chris Wienk

They met while performing in a student production of "Rent."  They've been writing songs ever since.  Hear what the duo/band Honey Slider is up to next.

Their new CD will be released at a special show at The Hollow on October 26th.

When Peter Annello first came to us, he knocked us out with his charm and guitar playing abilities.  He's been working on his playing - playing out, going to cool guitar and music workshops like the ones at Cample Cripple Creek (summer of 2018) where he met and impressed Larry Campbell and others.

We keep admiring Peter's drive and his songs.  Now, he's out of high school, and he keeps impressing.  Check out his session with the trio, his father Chip Annello on drums and Paul Zullo on bass.

Amy Helm stepped out of her comfort zone. She traveled to the west coast to work with Joe Henry on her latest album. She could have simply recorded as she has in the past, at her father's studio here in Woodstock, but instead, she transplanted herself and took a chance.

That chance paid off. She's just delivered another masterpiece of an album, "This Too Shall Light." She stopped by before a show at The Cohoes Music Hall to let us in on how it was made. She also shared some insight her father, the late, great Levon Helm, gave her. Life lessons learned and she's living them now.

Singer-songwriter, Julia Alsarraf stopped by to play a few songs and talk about making music.  Catch her around downtown Troy streets, or on her Facebook page.

Plus, we'll be with her and the City of Albany for September in the City at Dinapoli Park in downtown on September 13, 2018 from 1130-2p.

Here's her session. We look forward to when she makes some recordings.

From Shushan, NY, Local 518 singer-songwriter Hamilton Craig tends to break molds (and he has in the best of ways), but this time around, he's coming at music from a new place - in life and in his love for folk music.  While that may seem like he's giving us a straight-ahead set of folk music, it may not.  

His songs have a singular voice, one that speaks from the living of life, one that tells truth, emboldens, and empowers.

Singer-songwriter Jules Shear has been a favorite of mine since before I learned he wrote "All Through the Night" and "If She Knew What She Wants."  Jules and the Polar Bears was one of my favorite bands in the 70's.

Jules lives in Woodstock these days. His recent release, "One More Crooked Dance," has a sparse sound, and he talks about that sound in the interview with a few songs - one old, one from the new album, and one of those big hits he wrote, too.

Sean Walsh began forming what would become The National Reserve not long after moving to NYC about 14 years ago. With the release of the new album, "Motel La Grange," we find ourselve captivated by their rootsy brand of rock and roll. Songs like "New Love" sparkle and shine.

Hear their backstory. Hear a few songs. Listen to the session below.

Go see them on Saturday, August 18th at The Hangar on the Hudson!

Saratoga Springs singer-songwriter Steve Candlen has been a little quiet in his music output the last few months, but as he says in this session, the muse is back. His creativity took a slight detour while he built furniture and stuff for a new house he and his girlfriend just moved into.

Steve will be one of the Court Jester Troubadours with us at #ExitDome11. See details and get tickets at this link.

Kevin, Jeff and Davy. They were known as Donnybrook Fair, and from 1975 until around 1984, these three toured the world with their raucous - even somewhat aggressive - brand of Irish folk rock.

And now, they're back! They're playing a show up at the track (8/22), and they've got a big show at The Egg on Friday, August 24th.

Hear the stories and the fun that was Donnybrook Fair with Kevin McKrell and Jeff Strange.

The other day, Livingston Taylor was out on Martha's Vineyard enjoying the beautiful summer weather. I had the chance to catch up with him. We talked all about his life in music - teaching, performing, surrounding himself with amazing young talent, and about how he and his siblings (James, Kate and little brother Hugh) have great admiration for each other, while still being a bit competitive.  There's obviously a lot of love in that Taylor family.

Miché Fambro was born and raised in Philadelphia. Then he struck out on his own as a touring musician.  He made his way to Rochester, and while there spent 9 years as the leader of Miché & The Anglos. They were one of the area's most popular local bands.  

Miché has been working as a musician pretty much all these years, including a stop in Ithaca, and even Schenectady.

Rebecca Haviland is a Grammy Award winning vocalist, and she's written some poignant songs that she sings in a way that draws you in for a closer inspection.  We talk about her music, and a whole lot more. Plus, she plays us a few songs from the EP, "Bright City Lights."

See some videos below.

Mike O'Donnell, of the Rodeo Barons, has a new project. It's called MOTORBIKE. While the Rodeo Barons are on a bit of a break (do hurry back, guys!), Mike has continued writing. Very much influenced by Lou Barlow and a chance opening gig where he got to act all fan boy (despite trying hard not to do so), Mike has created this new sound. 

Had the chance to talk with Michael & Kevin Bacon about their new album, the song "Tom Petty T-Shirt," and more.  We are super excited that they'll be at The Egg on Sunday, July 29th.

Hear that conversation here.

We've all seen Dave Michaels on his quest for funnel cake. See the video below.  It looked so good!  Lots of great things happening at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds this week. The Fair runs through Sunday. Do come on out!

Chris Wienk talked with Saratoga County Fair Director, Tammy Ballestero.  Find out some of the cool agricultural offerings at this year's Fair.

Local 518 artist, Zan Strumfeld has been a favorite here at WEXT.  She's been on a quest for just the right sound. She thinks she has found it with the new bandmates that make up The Winter Folk.  Find out where the band name comes from, and hear the resulting sound (minus their drummer) in this new studio session. We're looking forward to the EP they talk about as well.

Mark Lavengood spent time honing his touring skills working and playing tunes with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys.  Now, he's back out on his own making tunes.  And this week, he was driving from Michigan accross to New York to pick up his band en route to Grey Fox Bluegrass.  Hope you get the chance to see him soon.

Thanks for the talk, Mark.

My friend, Mary Burdette and I talk about the new idea at Grey Fox Bluegrass - an artist in residence (aka Billy Strings for 2018), fun things happening at the Festival, and the one thing she hopes she won't miss when working/attending this year's Festival.

John Butler and I sat and chatted before he headed out to the show he would have at The Egg on July 12th.  We discussed things like 20 years of John Butler Trio, the whole idea of this "plus" tour, his new album that is coming, and of course the song "Ocean."

Thanks for stopping by, John!

Matt and Tom McWatters dropped by with their band (Scott Smith, drums, Tony Califano, keyboards, and Chris Neuhaus, bass). They played a couple Springsteen tracks from "Darkness on the Edge of Town." The brothers will be covering the entire album at a special show at The Low Beat on August 11th.

Hear all about it, and find out their favorite songs from the record. Plus, we have a special treat with the opening act from that night, Unbreakable Bonds.

We are so excited that Amsterdam's Riverlink Concerts is bringing the New Paltz reggae band to town this summer. The Big Takeover will be under the tent along the river on July 28th (rain or shine...a great location for a show!).

Bring your dancin' shoes, or your rainboots!  Chris Wienk talks with Nee Nee about their summer tour, and the new single.

Eben Pariser and Molly Venter, of Roosevelt Dime and Red Molly respectively, met kinda by accident - a literal collision of heads.  Together, they make beautiful music as Goodnight Moonshine.  Hear the ancient philophy behind the band's genesis. Hear how they planned their lives out together ten years down the road - on their first date.  

Hear them play some songs from the new album, "I'm The Only One Who Will Tell You, You're Bad."

Professor Louie stopped by with a version of The Crowmatix to talk about his band, The Band, the music and magic, and more.

Catch Professor Louie & the Crowmatix at our 11th birthday party at The Egg on July 6th. Record producer John Simon (producer of Music From Big Pink, and other iconic albums) will be on hand as well.

It's been a long wait for album number two from the Local 518 duo known as The Sea The Sea.  This time out, Chuck and Mira have joined forces with Cara and Stephen to form a quartet The Sea The Sea.  They've been playing in this configuration for some time.  And as you'll hear in the interview, the new quartet worked quite collaboratively on the new album, "From The Light."

Find out all about the Bob Dylan Tribute happening at The Beat, May 24 at 7:30pm. Hear from organizer, Dale Metzger and Greg Sheldon about the event and the beneficiary of the proceeds - The Albany Victory Gardens. Plus, Caroline Mother Judge and Sten Isachsen play a couple of sweet Bob Dylan covers.

A benefit concert for the Eden Rose Foundation and Albany Victory Gardens

Last fall, we were fortunate enough to be visited by none other than Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit.  They are one of our favorite Scottish rock bands ever.  Scott dropped by as the band was on tour in the northeast. He rolled out of the bus way too early on a beautiful sunny fall morning.  He was generous, gracious, and light-hearted about the early hour.  And he played us some beautiful songs.

Mary Gauthier has released "Rifles and Rosary Beads." It's an album full of songs she's written with soldiers as part of the Songwriting With: Soldiers project.  Mary Gauthier is one of the key songwriters for Songwriting With.  She brought along Mary Judd, one of the co-founders.

Arielle O'Keefe, aka Girl Blue, is working on a new album. She intends to release another new single soon, and will release half of the album by August. We are super excited for this new record.

Thanks for coming to share the news and a few songs with us, Girl Blue.

Videos will be coming soon.

Join Girl Blue on Patreon at this link.

Dyer Switch Band presents the Grand Ole Opry Tribute, May 6th, 3 pm-5 pm at the Strand Theater in Hudson Falls. Special Guests: Al and Kathy Bain, George Schacher, and Michael Craner.

Dyer Switch and Al & Kathy Bain dropped by to sing some old classics and talk about this fun show in Hudson Falls.

Kim Richey loves to write songs. She does it all the time. She also loves to work with other songwriters. She did a lot of that on her latest album, "Edgeland." In fact, eleven of the twelve songs were cowritten with some of her friends.  Many of those friends also play on her latest album.

Kim plays songs from "Edgeland" and talks about the collaborative process - Live @ EXT.