Albums Coming Out in June 2017 to Watch Out For

Tomorrow is the first day of June, which means summer album season is now upon us. This is a very popular time for artists to release new albums, as we will be seeing a lot of popular artists and up-and-comers vying for your attention and hard-earned money.

June will be packed with new music from all over the music spectrum. Bleachers, Katy Perry, Lorde, and Imagine Dragons will all be putting out highly anticipated albums in the coming month. Roger Waters will be releasing his first album in nearly 25 years. This month will also see posthumous albums from the legendary Chuck Berry and YouTuber Christina Grimmie, as well as final albums from country singer Glen Campbell and R&B group TLC. In reissues, Radiohead will be celebrating the 20^th anniversary of ‘OK Computer with a new album.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been taking a look at all the new albums coming out in the month of June. Here are 13 albums that we think will be worth your attention.

1.       All Time Low, ‘Last Young Renegade’: Hearing the new singles from ‘Last Young Renegade,’ I’m really excited to hear what All Time Low has in store. The album’s, the band’s first on Fueled By Ramen, sound builds off their pop punk roots, adding in a sense of maturity I don’t think we’ve seen from the band until now. (June 2)

2.       Bleachers, ‘Gone Now’: When Bleachers released their first album in 2014, it was one of my favorite albums of the year. So I have high expectations for ‘Gone Now.’ I am impressed with the singles I have heard thus far, especially “Don’t Take The Money,” but I’m not sure yet whether any of the songs will top “I Wanna Get Better.” (June 2)

3.       Roger Waters, ‘Is This the Life We Really Want?’: This is Waters’ first album of new music in nearly 25 years, so there are a lot of expectations for it. From what I can tell, this is going to be a bit of a political album, saying in a press release that it is an “unflinching commentary on the modern world and uncertain times.” (June 2)

4.       Christina Grimmie, ‘All Is Vanity’: The family of Christina Grimmie will be releasing her final album on June 2, which also happens to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The album will feature songs from her ‘Side A’ and ‘Side B’ EPs. Grimmie, who was a contestant on The Voice in 2014, was shot to death last June while signing autographs after a show in Florida. (June 2)

5.       Chuck Berry, ‘Chuck’: Before passing away in March, Berry announced that he was going to release a new album for his 90^th birthday, his first since 1979. A couple of singles have already been released and they are fantastic. The new songs swing just as hard as his classics. (June 9)

6.       Glen Campbell, ‘Adios’: Ever since his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Campbell has been doing everything to make sure he got out to see his public one last time. Earlier this year, the country singer announced that he would be releasing one last album, aptly titled ‘Adios.’ The album is made up of songs from his last recording sessions in 2012 and 23013. (June 9)

7.       Rancid, ‘Trouble Maker’: As a big fan of Bay Area punk, I am very excited for Rancid’s new album, ‘Trouble Maker.’ From the singles I’ve heard so far, the songs are pretty classic Rancid with a little more age and simplicity. Tim Armstrong’s vocals might be a bit more raspy than in the past, but that doesn’t really seem to matter. (June 9)

8.       Lorde, ‘Melodrama’: This is one of the year’s most anticipated albums. Lorde’s first album, released in 2013, shot the singer to instant pop stardom. “Green Light” has already proven to be popular with fans and critics, so we’ll see if the rest of the album will be just as popular. (June 16)

9.       Royal Blood, ‘How Did We Get So Dark’: I haven’t been that big a fan of Royal Blood in the past, but after listening to the singles released from ‘How Did We Get So Dark,’ I might change my tune. The songs have a hard rock edge to them while still remaining  catchy enough to you’re your attention. (June 16)

10.   Oh Wonder, ‘Ultralife’: Oh Wonder really hasn’t broken out until now. With their sophomore album coming out in June, the duo is poised to do just that. The album’s title track in particular is catchy and light. It’s perfect for a sunny, outdoor day. (June 16)

11.   Imagine Dragons, ‘Evolve’: Imagine Dragons have a lot to live up to with their upcoming album, ‘Evolve.’ The band’s first two albums did amazingly well, producing very popular and hard-rocking singles. However, I don’t think these guys will have any trouble meeting these high expectations. The two big singles from the new album have already been doing well on the rock charts. (June 23)

12.   Radiohead, ‘OKNOTOK’: This year marks the 20^th anniversary of Radiohead’s breakthrough third album ‘OK Computer.’ In celebration, the band will be remastering and reissuing the album with eight b-sides and three new songs, calling the project ‘OKNOTOK.’(June 23)

13.   TLC, ‘TLC’: This self-titled album is being billed as TLC’s fifth and final album. Their first new music since 2002, this is the now-duo’s second album without Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez and the first not to feature her at all. The album was funded through a Kickstarter campaign, reaching its $150,000 goal in less than two days, making it the “fastest and most funded” project in the site’s history. (June 30)

These are just some of the albums coming out in June that we think will be worth checking out. Keep an eye out for these albums and let us know what releases you’re excited for in June.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from spanning a wide array of genres. Check out our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store, as well as online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, there is a lot to discover at Vinyl Bay 777.

Remembering Gregg Allman: Five Facts about the Late Singer

Gregg Allman, 1975

On Saturday, musician Gregg Allman passed away at his home in Savannah, Georgia. The singer had been sick in recent years, fighting an on-going battle with liver cancer. He was 69.

Best known for his work as lead singer of the Allman Brothers Band and the namesake Gregg Allman Band, Gregg Allman has been hailed a pioneer of the southern rock genre. Blending rock, country and blues into one unique mix, his music has had a lasting effect on the musical landscape. His unique, slight rasp has earned him a spot as one of Rolling Stone’s top 100 ‘Greatest Singers of All Time,’ as well as a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and several Grammys.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, would like to take this time to remember Gregg Allman. Here are five facts about the singer and his music.

1.       He wasn’t done releasing music: That’s right. Gregg Allman has a new album in the works. ‘Southern Blood’ was supposed to be released in January, but is now set to come out in September. The album is currently up for preorder on Allman’s website.

2.       ‘Almost Famous’ was about him: When Cameron Crowe was just a young music journalist, he wrote a cover story for Rolling Stone featuring an interview with Allman around the time ‘Brothers And Sisters’ came out. That story would become one of Crowe’s most successful movies, ‘Almost Famous,’ achieving cult status over the last two decades.

3.       Three of his children followed in his footsteps: It’s not unusual for a musician’s offspring to follow in their parents’ footsteps. In Allman’s case, three of his five children did just that. Devon Allman has had a number of bands, including Honeytribe, Royal Southern Brotherhood and The Devon Allman Band, and has played back-up for his father on several occasions. Elijah Blue Allman used to sing for a metal band called Deadsy and used to play guitar for his famous mother, Cher. Layla Brooklyn Allman has been releasing music under the name Picture Me Broken since 2009 and has opened for the likes of Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson and Orianthi.

4.       He has had rolls in a couple of films: Allman’s first acting roll came in 1989 with a bit part in the B-rate slasher flick ‘Rush Week.’ He followed that up with a couple of other small parts and a more substantial one in the 1991 film ‘Rush.’ Of course, his acting roles pale in comparison to all the times his music has been used in movies and television.

5.       He almost had a docudrama released about him: Following the release of his autobiography in 2012, the rights to it were picked up by Open Road Films and a docudrama was conceived. The filming of ‘Midnight Rider’ lasted all of one day as a crew member was killed by an oncoming train while shooting a scene. The incident resulted in the arrests of director Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin, executive producer Jay Sedrish and assistant director Hillary Schwartz.

Gregg Allman’s music has inspired countless other bands and fans the world over. Along with his brother Duane and the Allman Brothers Band, he helped to create a new genre of music that would reach far beyond what anyone could have expected. His life and music will never be forgotten.

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Find music from Gregg Allman, The Allman Brothers Band and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles in store and online in a wide range of genres, including rock, pop, blues, country, metal, R&B, hip hop, classical and more. Browse through our ever-growing collection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. With new titles being added to our stock every day, it’s always a great time to drop by.

Seven Musicals Coming to Television for the 2017-2018 Season

Over the last few days, television networks have started announcing their plans for the 2017-2018 television season. Reports on which shows are being renewed and which are being cancelled are starting to come out, as are new shows and specials being added to their line-ups. This includes announcements for live musical events scheduled to happen this season.

A big draw for broadcast television over the last four years has come from their attempts at bringing live theater to the small screen. Starting with NBC’s ‘The Sound of Music’ in 2013 and Fox’s ‘Grease: Live’ in 2016, both networks have both been adding one night, “must-see TV” specials to their line-ups around the holidays to boost viewership. Now other stations are looking to cash in, revealing their plans for their own musical events.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves a good live musical. That is why we’ve gathered seven of the newly announced (and not-so newly announced) one-night musical events happening during the 2017-2018 season.

1.       ‘Dirty Dancing’ (ABC): Announced way back in 2015, ABC will be airing their first musical, ‘Dirty Dancing,’ tonight. A pre-taped film, a la Fox’s ‘Rocky Horror,’ the new ‘Dirty Dancing’ will star Abigail Breslin in the role of Baby (originally played by Jennifer Grey) and newcomer Colt Prattes as Johnny (originally played by Patrick Swayze).

2.        ‘Rent’ (Fox): The production team behind Fox’s last live event, ‘Grease: Live,’ has announced that they will be taking on rock musical ‘Rent’ this year. While I have my reservations about such a right-leaning station taking on a very left-leaning play, the fact that the estate of late ‘Rent’ writer/composer Jonathan Larson is on board and executive producing alleviates some of that. The news of this production is still brand new, so there are no actors attached to it or an air-date yet.

3.       ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (NBC): NBC has announced that they will once again create a live event for Easter. This time around, the network will be taking on the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ Webber is set to executive produce the event, along with NBC live programming stalwarts Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and Marc Platt, who is also working on the above-mentioned ‘Rent.’ NBC previously produced a live event of ‘The Passion’ for Easter 2015. Again, this is an early announcement, so there are no actors attached to it yet.

4.       ‘A Christmas Story’ (Fox): From next Easter to this Christmas, Fox has announced that they will be producing a live television event of the cult classic ‘A Christmas Story.’ The production will be in partnership with Warner Horizon and will, once again, be produced by Marc Platt (he’s apparently everywhere). Special for this event, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who scored the original Broadway production and have now signed on to score Fox’s, will be writing a number of new songs for the occasion. No actors are associated with this production yet.

5.       ‘The Little Mermaid’ (ABC): ABC will be bringing back the ‘Wonderful World of Disney’ moniker for their first live musical event (‘Dirty Dancing’ will not be live), ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Yes, the beloved tale of a mermaid longing to be human and falling in love will be making its way back to television screens for one night only on October 3. But this isn’t going to be like the live events that Fox and NBC have been producing, as it will not be live action. Instead, ABC will be airing the animated film with a live musical soundtrack that will most likely feature a who’s who of top musical talent. However, if you are looking for a live action ‘Little Mermaid,’ it is in the works, but for the big screen.

6.       ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ (NBC): The only one of these musicals that has any names attached to it (besides ‘Dirty Dancing’), NBC will be doing an updated remake of ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ set to air in December. Actor Harvey Fierstein, who is helming the project, made significant changes to the original script, including to the main characters’ occupations. Jennifer Lopez will be starring in the show as Rosie, who will now be a music teacher instead of a secretary.

7.       ‘Rolling Stone 50’ (ABC): Technically not a “musical” in the truest sense; ABC has announced that they will be airing a special on February 7, 2018 celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Rolling Stone Magazine. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the special will feature musical performances, short films and iconic moments from throughout the magazine’s tenure. The special will be produced by Wenner Media, Rolling Stone’s parent company.

Live musical events on network television have been seeing a rise in popularity over the last four years.  Fox and NBC have seen ratings boosts from their previous specials and will be continuing to bank on such must-see TV live events into the 2017-2018 season. ABC is also looking to get in on the action this season with its own take on the live musical format. Whether this season’s shows will go off without a hitch or fall flat remains to be seen, but seen they will be.

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Find movie soundtracks, musical scores and more at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from spanning a variety of genres, including soundtracks, rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, classical, jazz and more. Check out our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store, as well as online at vinylbay777.com. More titles are being added all the time, so stop by and see what’s new.

‘Tommy’ at 48: How The Who’s First Rock Opera Changed Rock Forever

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a look back at the album that put “rock operas” on the map

 Today marks the 48^th anniversary of the release of ‘Tommy,’ The Who’s groundbreaking fourth album that would become one of the most beloved and influential of all time. The album helped give rise to the “rock opera” format, as well as influenced many other bands to attempt writing their own rock operas.

 Released in 1969, ‘Tommy’ was Pete Townshend’s attempt at breaking away from the restraints of writing single-propelled rock music. No longer satisfied with 3-minute songs, he decided to explore the idea of writing a “rock opera”: a concept album with songs arranged in such a way that they follow a storyline. After an abandoned attempt and several “mini-operas,” Townshend began working on the concept for ‘Tommy,’ which focused on telling the story of a boy who is deaf, dumb and blind and how he sees the world.

While not the first rock opera to be recorded (British band Nirvana and The Pretty Things both released concept albums that have been referred to as such), ‘Tommy’ was by far the most popular. The album debuted at number four and number two on the Billboard Pop Albums and UK Albums charts respectively and was lauded by critics as “innovative” and a “masterpiece.”

‘Tommy’ led the way for other artists to express themselves in a similar fashion. Pink Floyd released ‘The Wall’ in 1979, a concept album that became one of the band’s most highly-regarded albums. Green Day took a lot of inspiration from The Who when they put out their rock operas, ‘American Idiot,’ which effectively helped them re-emerge as one of rock’s biggest and most important bands, and ‘21^st Century Breakdown.’ From My Chemical Romance’s ‘The Black Parade’ to Ludo’s ‘Broken Bride,’ releasing a rock opera has proven to continually be a popular move with fans.

The Who even followed up the success of ‘Tommy’ with another rock opera. ‘Quadrophenia’ was even more popular and critically acclaimed than ‘Tommy.’

Even today, 'Tommy' still finds itself an important piece of art, not only for rock music, but for theater in general. The original productions of the show in the 1990s won several awards and brought rock music to the stage at a time where it wasn't necessarily accepted. A revival of the stage show created from the album is currently touring the UK. This new production, which features a new song by Townshend, is being made accessible to those with special needs.

The popularity of ‘Tommy’ showed that rock fans, just like Townshend, wanted more from their music. By writing a rock opera, The Who were able to provide fans with a substantial work that went beyond the three-minute song structure. The album changed what it means to listen to an album the entire way through. Since its release, other bands have followed suit in releasing rock operas and concept albums.

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Find The Who’s ‘Tommy,’ other rock operas and more at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store and online to choose from. Whether you’re into rock operas or classical operas, we have thousands of titles spanning a vast array of genres that will have you covered. With more titles being added all the time, it’s always pays to stop by and see what’s new.

Week in Review: New Songs/Music Videos You Need to Check Out (May 14-May 20, 2017)

A lot has been going on in the world of music this week. And though not all of it was very happy (R.I.P. Chris Cornell), we are keeping our heads up with all of the great new music that has come out over the last seven days.

This week saw a lot of new music from across the pop and rock spectrum. In pop music, Katy Perry released another new single, a disjointed diss track featuring Nicki Minaj called “Swish Swish,” while Lana Del Rey released the second single from her upcoming album, the beautifully ethereal ode to summer festivals, “Coachella – Woodstock In My Mind.” DJ Robin Schulz made his return with the James Blunt fronted “OK.” In rock and alternative, we got new videos from Muse, COIN, AFI, Royal Blood, Rancid and All Time Low. Courtney Barnett also released a new one-off song, her first single in two years.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again been keeping track of all the new songs and music videos that came out this week. Here are some of our favorites that we think you need to add to your weekend playlist.

1.       Robin Schulz feat. James Blunt, “OK”: Hearing James Blunt’s distinctive voice mixed into a dance track seems a little odd, but by the chorus it seems to work. If anything can make him popular (or relevant) again, it could be this track. I enjoyed the video too. While I don’t think Blunt is the best actor in the world, I love the play on ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ for this song.  When the song gets hectic, so do Blunt’s visions, but in the end, it all turns out “okay.” (video)

2.       COIN, “I Don’t Wanna Dance”: “I Don’t Wanna Dance” is a catchy song made even more memorable by the video the band released to go with it. Much of the lyrical content of the song is about not knowing how to dance, sung over a simple synth melody. Then, the video brings another layer to the song, having the band on a honky-tonk cruise where scenes of them line dancing by themselves are spliced with scenes of others on the boat line dancing around them. None of the dancing is good, but that’s most likely the point. I personally think it is very well done. (video)

3.       Muse, “Dig Down”: The video for “Dig Down” stands out a bit more than the song does. Set in a dystopian world where the human body becomes obsolete, the female lead must fight off those that are trying to kill her. The song plays as Matt Bellemy and the rest of the band, projected on television screens and dressed in 80’s-inspired garb reminiscent of Max Headroom, are giving the bad guys the command to attack. (video)

4.       Courtney Barnett, “How To Boil An Egg”: I love the blues-rock vibe of this song. It feels easy and effortless, something you can listen to while relaxing. (video)

5.       Sparks, “What The Hell Is It This Time?”: The latest single from Sparks’ first album in eight years, “What The Hell Is It This Time” is both comical and intimidating. Taking on a militant tone, the song comes from the perspective of G-d, who is enraged at people who pray for everything. The topic seems to fit really well with this over-the-top new wave/synth-pop style. Not to mention the video is hilarious. These guys still have it. (video)

6.       Rancid, “Telegraph Avenue”: Rancid get a bit nostalgic on “Telegraph Aveneue,” the latest single from their upcoming album, ‘Trouble Maker.’ Slower and bit less garbled than “Ghost of a Chance,” Tim Armstrong waxes poetic about everything that has happened on this one street in the Bay Area. (video)

7.       AFI, “Hidden Knives”: AFI has always had a flair for the dramatic, and “Hidden Knives” is no different. The song is seemingly about betrayal and the sharp words (knives) one can use to hurt someone. The video is a quite literal and even more dramatic interpretation of the song. The three minute black and white film finds singer Davey Havok in on a heist with his female accomplice who sets up an elaborate hoax to get rid of him. (video)

8.       Royal Blood, “Hook, Line & Sinker”: “Hook, Line & Sinker” is a heavy, blues rock song mired in sludgy, distorted bass. The lyrical melody is jilted, mirroring the bass lines. (video)

These are some of our favorite new songs and music videos from the past week. Give these a listen/watch and use them as a starting point in your music discovery.

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Discover your new favorite artists at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia available in store and online. Browse thousands of titles spanning an array of genres, including rock, metal, pop, R&B, hip-hop, dance, disco, classical and more. With more titles being added all the time, it is always the perfect time to come down to Vinyl Bay 777 and discover something new.

Ten New York Music Festivals to Get Excited About in 2017

It may still be spring for another month, but it is never too early to think about the upcoming summer music festival season that will soon be upon us.

The selection of summer music festivals in New York have only been getting better over the last few years. Between the Panorama and The Meadows, which are returning after their debuts last year, to the tried and true favorites like Governor’s Ball and Central Park Summerstage, music will be flowing through all parts of New York all summer long.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, wants to help you get excited for festival season. Here are 10 music festivals happening around New York and Long Island that are sure to be a great time.

1.       Governor’s Ball (June 2-June 4): Governor’s Ball has been bringing the hottest artists to New York’s Randall’s Island for seven years now. The first of the big three-day festivals (both time-wise and history-wise) in the area, it has become a top seller considering its indie roots. Headliners for this year’s three-day festival include of the moment rappers Chance The Rapper and Childish Gambino, pop darling Lorde, “newer” rock bands Phoenix and Cage The Elephant and veteran artists Tool and Wu-Tang Clan.

2.       Central Park Summerstage (June-October): Sponsored by the City Parks Foundation, Summerstage brings an eclectic mix of live music to parks all over the city (though most of them are in Central Park) throughout the summer. There are a lot of big names that come through as part of the festival, including Mavis Staples (June 3), George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic (June 11), Elvis Costello (June 15), KRS-One (June 25), Ginuwine (June 30), Yo La Tengo (July 17), PJ Harvey (July 19), Regina Spektor (July 27), All Time Low (July 31), Dashboard Confessional and All-American Rejects (August 3), Jadakiss (August 6), Young The Giant (September 13), and The War On Drugs (September 22) and many more. Though many of these are ticketed shows, a lot of them are free, which is even better.

3.       Celebrate Brooklyn (June-August): Similar to Summerstage, Celebrate Brooklyn takes over Prospect Park’s bandshell all summer, bring out some of the best music and culture the borough has to offer. Highlights this year include The Shins (June 15), Yeasayer (June 22), Musiq Soulchild (July 7), Robert Randolph & the Family Band (July 13), Conor Oberst (July 20), Andrew Bird and Esperanza Spalding (July 28), Fleet Foxes (August 1&2) and many more. Like Summerstage, a lot of these shows are free, so you won’t want to miss out.

4.       River to River (June 14-June 25): River To River brings a much needed helping of culture to the financial district every summer. This week-long event is more than just music, but encompasses performance art and dance as well. All performances are free.

5.       Make Music NYC (June 21): Every summer solstice (first day of summer), Make Music New York sponsors an event that brings music to every square inch of New York city’s streets and parks. Specific events include Porch Stomp (Americana, bluegrass), Punk Island (although that will happen three days earlier on June 18), The Gauntlet (a large choral performance) and more. The full schedule of events won’t be out until later this month, so stay tuned.

6.       Warped Tour (July  8 at Jones Beach): This is a national tour, but I still like to think it counts. The all-day festival that has been providing a place for outstanding up-and-coming punk and hardcore bands to be discovered and allowing established bands to promote their latest work is back for a 22^nd year. This year’s line-up includes Gwar, Hatebreed, Anti-Flag, American Authors, The Ataris, Big D and the Kids Table, Emmure, Dance Gavin Dance, Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein and more.

7.       Great South Bay Music Festival (July 13-July 16): The annual four-day Long Island festival returns this July with one of its best line-ups ever. Artists playing this year include Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory and Saves The Day on the 13^th, 311 and The Wailers on the 14^th, Gov’t Mule on the 15^th and Zombies and Eddie Money on July 16.

8.       Panorama (July 28-July 30): Created by Goldenvoice, the same people behind the wildly successful Coachella Festival, Panorama will be back for a second year at Randall’s Island. Like Governor’s Ball, this festival brings new and established artists together for three days of non-stop music. This year’s headliners include Frank Ocean, Solange, Tame Impala, Alt-J, Nine Inch Nails and A Tribe Called Quest.

9.       Afropunk (August 26 and 27): The Afropunk festival is not just about punk. It’s about celebrating the music of many cultures in all forms. Big name artists playing this year include guitarist Gary Clark, Jr., rapper Sampha and soul singer Macy Gray.

10.   The Meadows (September 15-September 17): The Meadows will also be returning for a second year this September. Taking place at Citi Field, the line-up is arguably even bigger than Governor’s Ball or Panorama. This year’s festival includes Gorillaz’s only announced New York appearance, as well as sets from Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Future, Nas, Weezer, Run The Jewels, and many more top-name artists. And because this is being done in September, the weather will be starting to cool down, even though it is still technically summer.

With all of these top notch festivals happening in New York in the coming months, there is a lot to look forward to this summer. From massive multi-genre weekend festivals to more curated months-long affairs, there will surely be no shortage of great outdoor live music.

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Get ready for summer festival season by picking up music from many of the bands coming through New York this summer at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia to choose from. Browse thousands of titles in store and online. With more titles being added all the time, there is always something new to discover at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week in Review: Songs/Music Videos You Need to Check Out (May 7-May 13, 2017)

Keeping up with new music can be hard. If you don’t have the time to stay up-to-date, you could miss some amazing songs.

Now that the week is over, it’s time to take a look back at some of the new songs and music videos you may have missed.

This week in music, we saw the return of Miley Cyrus playing yet another new genre of music, as well as The National, who released their first bit of new music in four years. Harry Styles (of One Direction fame) released a highly talked about new video for his song “Sign of the Times,” as DNCE, who released a video for their Nicki Minaj collaboration, “Kissing Strangers,” and Katy Perry for her song “Bon Appétit.”  We also got more new music from Bleachers, New Politics, The Classic Crime and the Goo Goo Dolls.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is here to help you keep track of the latest songs and music videos. Here are eight that we think are definitely worth checking out.

1.       DNCE feat. Nicki Minaj, “Kissing Strangers”: DNCE has this way of making all of their music completely fun and infectious and “Kissing Strangers” is no exception. Though the song has very few actual words, you can get the gist of what they are talking about right away. I don’t even mind the Nicki Minaj verse, as it doesn’t get in the way and plays along well with the subject of the song. The video, which they credit like a short film, is pretty funny too. (video)

2.       Bleachers, “Everybody Lost Somebody”: Even on sensitive subjects, Bleachers are still able to stand out with that big sound. Written by Antonoff about the passing of his sister, “Everybody Lost Somebody” manages to avoid piling sadness on the listener, instead celebrating life through a big chorus and slightly more demure verses. (video)

3.       The National, “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness”: “The System” is kind of an uplifting song, unlike many of The National’s other singles. The chorus almost feels like gospel. It’s oddly atmospheric drums also contribute to that feel, as they are more part of the background than a driving force in the music. I think there is a lot more to unpack in this song than just giving it one or two listens. (video)  

4.       Harry Styles, “Sign of the Times”: The first time I heard this song a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure I liked it, but upon watching the just released video for “Sign of the Times,” I have to say, it’s not terrible. The song sounds a little like an early Jason Mraz slow song and his vocals fit it very well. It’s a far cry from One Direction, but that’s not a bad thing. (video)

5.       New Politics, “One Of Us”: I like the slower, more pop-y nature of “One Of Us.” It’s a little tamer than the socially conscious pop-punk the band is known for, the message of the song is quite clear: you are not alone in the world. (video)

6.       Miley Cyrus, “Malibu”: Miley Cyrus returned this week with another brand new sound. This time, the 24-year-old has decided to turn into a singer/songwriter and it…okay. The song is beach-y (like the video) and sincere, talking about how much her love interest has given her. It would probably be better if the song were completely acoustic without the drum machine behind her, but not bad. (video)

7.       The Classic Crime, “Wonder”: “Wonder” is a multi-dimensional song. While its lyrics are very introspective, the song remains upbeat. The song is also catchy and would sound pretty good on rock radio. (video)

8.       Goo Goo Dolls, “Use Me”: In recent years, the Goo Goo Dolls have been putting out very soft, uplifting songs, the kind that do very well on adult contemporary radio because they are so universal. But “Use Me,” off their brand new ‘You Should Be Happy’ EP, with its scaled-back melody and personal lyrics, harkens back to the band’s early music, and it sounds so much better. (video)

These are just some of the new songs and music videos you may have missed this week that we think deserve a listen/view. Check these out and use this list as a starting point in your music discovery efforts.

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Discover music from many of these artists and more at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. Choose from thousands of titles in a wide variety of genres. We carry a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia both in store and on our website, vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, it’s always a good time to discover something new at Vinyl Bay 777.

Mother’s Day: Seven Songs About Moms to Tell Yours How Much You Love Them

Music has always been a great way to tell someone what they mean to you. That becomes even truer when it comes to mothers. Musicians of all genres have written songs dedicated to the women who raised them.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot is the latest artist to write a song dedicated to moms. Titled “I Won’t Let You Go,” the song is about the power of a mother’s love and the unbreakable bond between mother and child. The song is up for free download until Sunday (Mother’s Day).

In honor of Mother’s Day and all the mothers in the world, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has compiled a list of songs about mothers that might help you tell yours how much you love them.

1.       Backstreet Boys, “The Perfect Fan”: This song is an ode and a “thank you” to everything mothers do to make you who you are. They “show you how to grow” and how to “walk without [their] hand.” And most importantly, they want you to succeed. They are your “perfect fan.” (video)

2.       Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”: Written from the perspective of a daughter on the precipice of getting married telling her mother how much she appreciates her and how she has prepared her for this moment. She also takes the time to say that she won’t lose her daughter just because she is walking down the aisle. Wow, just the thought of these lyrics is making me cry. (video)

3.       Spice Girls, “Mama”: Most people go through that awkward phase during adolescence where they don’t want their mothers telling them what to do, but then inevitably find their way back when they are older. That’s the sentiment the Spice Girls had in mind when they released “Mama” in 1996. The girl group declares that they may not have seen eye-to-eye at the time, but now they realize that their moms always had their best interest at heart. (video)

4.       Ozzy Osbourne, “Mama I’m Coming Home”: Actually written for his wife Sharron, who he apparently calls “mom,” this song has been more often than not associated with a son coming home to his mother. (video)

5.       Lauren Alaina, “Like My Mother Does”: The debut single from ‘American Idol’ season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina is a touching tribute to her mother. She sings about how everything about herself, from her laugh and smile to her affinity for people and the way she loves, is just like her mother. (video)

6.       Kanye West, “Hey Mama”: Kanye West’s love for his mother has been very well documented. Written for his album ‘Late Registration,’ prior to his mother’s untimely death, “Hey Mama” talks about how much his mother had done for him and how he wants to tell everyone about her because of the pride he feels for having her as a mother. (video)

7.       Good Charlotte, “Thank You Mom”: Even punks can be sentimental towards their mothers. On “Thank You Mom,” singer Joel Madden reminisces about his mother and how she taught him about life. Most importantly, though, it’s a song about saying thank you for everything his mother has done for him. (video)

These are just some of the many, many songs written about mothers and all that they do for us. Show these songs to your mom and let them help you express just how much she means to you.

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Give your mom the gift of music this Mother’s Day by picking up music from these and many more artists at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles in a various array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. With new titles being added to our selection all the time, you’ll be sure to find the perfect piece for any mom.

Seven Musical Facts about Billy Joel

Singer and “piano man” Billy Joel turns 68 today. Arguably one of the most famous artists to come out of Long Island, his music has been a staple of pop and adult contemporary radio for nearly five decades.

Joel has led a long and prosperous career in the music industry. The sixth best-selling artists of all time and third best solo artist, the singer has sold more than 150 million albums worldwide and had 33 singles register on the Top 40 charts. His highest-selling album, ‘The Stranger,’ has sold more than 10 million copies, earning diamond certification.

In honor of Billy Joel’s birthday, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has gathered seven interesting, musical facts about the singer.

1.       He has played 46 shows in that many months at Madison Square Garden: Since his first performance at the famed New York City venue in 1978, Joel has played a record-breaking 46 shows and counting at Madison Square Garden. The singer signed a deal with the venue in 2014 to play one show a month, making him their first non-sports “franchise.”

2.       He played the final show at the old Nassau Coliseum… and the first show at the new one: Billy Joel is to New York what Bruce Springsteen is to New Jersey; that is a local hero. So it comes as no surprise that he would want to be the last artist to play Long Island’s only arena before it shut down. Then, when it re-opened earlier this year, he was the first artist to rock its stage. Joel was also the last artist to play at Shea Stadium in Queens, also technically Long Island.

3.       He is the only artist to play every sports arena in the New York area: Between closing Shea Stadium, his residency at Madison Square Garden and his closing and opening shows at Nassau Coliseum, Joel has also performed at Yankee Stadium, Giants Stadium and the Barclays Center.

4.       Despite all his touring, he hasn’t released new music in 10 years: Billy Joel performs as the epitome of a nostalgia act. The last two songs he wrote and released came out in 2007. It has been even longer since the singer released a proper studio album, 24 years to be exact.

5.       He is the only non-classical artist to be honored by Steinway pianos: Billy Joel has spent much of his career playing the brand’s pianos, so they decided to honor his work. In 2011, Steinway & Sons commissioned a portrait of him that continues to be hung in Manhattan’s Steinway Hall. His portrait joins the likes of classical artists such as Sergei Rachmoninoff and Franz Liszt.

6.       His music has been recognized by the Library of Congress, twice: Joel and his music have been honored by the Library of Congress twice. In 2014, he received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, making him only the sixth artists to ever earn the honor. Then in 2016, Joel’s signature song, “Piano Man,” was selected by the National Recording Registry for preservation, an honor given to recordings with “cultural, historical or aesthetic” significance.

7.       He used to be in a metal band: Everyone knows Joel for his fairly tame pop-rock sound, but before all of that, he was in a metal band on Long Island. A duo, they played under the name Attila and released one album before breaking up. The album was a dud and has been called one of the worst rock albums of all time.

Billy Joel has proven himself to be a lasting force in modern music. His nearly five-decade career in the industry has been peppered with multi-platinum-selling albums and various honors and awards. Joel continues to sell out arenas all over the US and around the world as one of the best-selling artists of all time.

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Find music from living legends like Billy Joel at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we carry a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store and online. Choose from thousands of titles in a myriad of genres, from pop and rock to metal, jazz, R&B, rap, classical and beyond. More titles are being added of our inventory all the time, so check back often to see what’s new.

Week in Review: New Songs and Music Videos You Need to Hear / See (April 30 – May 6, 2017)

Another week is over and done, and with it came some great new songs and music videos for our listening and viewing pleasure.

This past week saw new music from artists we haven’t heard from in a while. LCD Soundsystem, who are currently working on their first album since reuniting, gave listeners a taste of what they can expect with two new songs, while So-Cal punk rock vets Rancid released their first single in nearly three years. We also got more new music from Paramore, Halsey, Haim and Halestorm. This week was also good for music videos, with Ed Sheeran, Sum 41 and Bleachers all releasing music videos for their previously released singles.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been staying up-to-date with all the latest new songs so you don’t have to. Here are our eight favorite new songs and music videos from the past week that we think you should check out right now.

1.       Ed Sheeran, “Galway Girl”: Ed Sheeran released the third single and music video from his platinum-selling new album, ‘÷,’ “Galway Girl.” This is a sweet little tune with an adorable music video to go with it. Shot from Sheeran’s first-person view (at the beginning it says he is holding the camera, but the shots are too steady for that), the video follows as he finds this Irish girl who takes him all over her town: stopping at pubs, joining in with dancers on the street and the like. (video)

2.       Paramore, “Told You So”: The second single from Paramore’s recently announced new album, “Told You So” is also a very 80’s-inspired tune. Parts of it have a very Tears For Fears vibe, mainly in the tropical-ish melody the rest of the song is set against. However, compared to “Hard Times,” the song doesn’t seem too out of place with what Paramore did with their last album. (video)

3.       Haim, “I Want You Back”: The second song released from Haim’s upcoming sophomore album, ‘Something to Tell You,’ “I Want You Back” is a well-produced and catchy track. More sonically appealing than “Right Now,” which seems like a bit of a rough cut, I could definitely hear “I Want You Back” being played on college radio. (video)

4.       Rancid, “Ghost of a Chance”: Rancid gave fans a taste of their first new album in three years, ‘Trouble Maker,’ this week with the release of “Ghost of a Chance.” The song is unmistakably Rancid, down to the Americana-punk guitars and Tim Armstrong’s signature raspy, garbled vocals, just with a little bit more rust on it. (video)

5.       Imagine Dragons, “Thunder”: Imagine Dragons released a video for their latest single “Thunder” this week. Shot in black and white with the exception of a few colors used for emphasis, the video features an alien takeover of a futuristic city where the citizens’ new overlords dance and make clones. Some of the camera angles are very reminiscent of 1990’s hip-hop videos, which doesn’t seem too out-of-the-blue since the song has the right cadence for it. (video)

6.       Halestorm, “Dear Daughter”: “Dear Daughter” is an unexpected surprise from female-fronted metal band Halestorm. Nothing like the band’s typical hard rock edge, the song is soft and consoling, with lyrics play out like an open letter to women, advising them to be strong and independent. (video)

7.       Sum 41, “Goddamn, I’m Dead Again”: Sum 41 may have released their latest album nearly two years ago, but the band is not done releasing videos for its songs. This week, the band released a video for “Goddamn, I’m Dead Again.” A song that bursts through with pure punk energy, the video has that same quality, featuring the band playing a raucous show to hundreds of Facebook fans in what looks like an abandoned pool. (video)

8.       Bleachers, “Don’t Take The Money”: A new video for “Don’t Take The Money,” the first single from Bleachers’ new album ‘Gone Now’ was released this week. In it, singer Jack Antonoff is preparing to have an extravagant wedding to a woman who speaks no English, presumably only looking for his money. The video shifts between shots of the wedding and Antonoff singing (and overacting) on a throne. With the addition of this visual, the song seems to make more sense than it did on first listen, fitting in better with the band’s over the top flair for neuroticism. (video)

These are our top new songs and music videos released over the last week. Check these out and let us know what new music you’re digging this weekend.

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Come down to Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop, to get started on your path to music discovery. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide array of genres to meet all your music needs. Browse our unmatched selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store, as well as online at vinylbay777.com. More titles are being added all the time, so make it a point to stop by this weekend. Who knows, you may even discover (or rediscover) you new favorite artist!

Eight Shows in New York/New Jersey to Check Out This Weekend (May 5 – May 7, 2017)

Happy Friday! With another long week almost behind us, it’s time to look forward to the weekend and what it has in store. If you are still trying to figure out your plans, why not consider taking in some live music.

The tri-state area is always buzzing with amazing live music and this weekend will be no different. Between big-name national tours and small local artists, there is usually something out there for everyone. This weekend’s big shows in particular are heavy on rock, metal and punk, with Black Lips, Anthrax, Killswitch Engage, Coheed and Cambria, The Damned, Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, Opeth and Gojira all making appearances. However, hard rock is not the only thing on the menu. For fans of alt-country, Old 97’s will be making their way to New York this weekend. If you like a more classic sound, Barbra Streisand will be performing her second of two shows in the area.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves live music. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of eight shows happening this weekend that we think will be worthwhile to check out.

1.       Black Lips: Black Lips released their new album, ‘Satan’s Graffiti or God’s Art,’ today, which technically makes tonight’s show an album release show. That makes it a special night. (Friday, Webster Hall)

2.       Anthrax & Killswitch Engage: With only three shows left, Anthrax and Killswitch Engage are winding down their US “KillThrax” tour this weekend. The tour comes to Long Island tonight, just in time to kick off The Paramount’s “May-hem” month-long block of rock shows. (Friday, Paramount)

3.       Coheed and Cambria: Coheed and Cambria are back with another Neverender tour, this time featuring their 2005 album, ‘Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV |Vol. One,’ in its entirety. If you miss their show tonight, the band will be back later this month, as they added an extra show at Terminal 5 on May 22. Support for the tour comes from Deer Hunter. (Friday, Terminal 5)

4.       Old 97’s: Old 97’s released their eleventh studio album, ‘Graveyard Whistling,’ earlier this year to high praise from critics. The alt-country band is currently on tour behind the album. (Saturday, Irving Plaza)

5.       The Damned: Seminal punk band The Damned is celebrating their 40^th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the band has announced their first album in nearly 10 years, inking a deal with Search and Destroy for its release, and embarked on a North American tour. The band was supposed to play a show at Brooklyn’s Warsaw tonight, but due to the broken rib guitarist Captain Sensible sustained from his recent fall off stage in Toronto, that show was postponed until  May 23. Saturday’s show in New Jersey, however, is still scheduled to on as planned. (Saturday, The Stone Pony)

6.       Barbra Streisand: Barbra Streisand has been continuing her forward momentum in music for more than 60 years. The top-selling female musician of all time, she released her latest album, ‘Encore,’ last year. If you missed her last night on Long Island, Streisand will be playing Barclays Center on Saturday. (Saturday, Barclays Center)

7.       Sum 41 & Pierce the Veil: 2000s-meets-2010s when Sum 41 and Pierce the Veil bring their co-headlining tour to The Paramount this Sunday. Sum 41 released a new album, ’13 Voices,’ in October, their first in nine years featuring Dave Baksh on guitar. Pierce the Veil released their latest album, ‘Misadventures,’ last May. Emerosa and Chapel will be providing support for tour. (Sunday, Paramount)

8.       Opeth & Gojira: For fans of death metal, Opeth and Gojira have teamed up for a North American tour that will hit New Jersey this weekend. Both bands released critically acclaimed albums last year: Opeth’s ‘Sorceress,’ released in September, and Gojira’s ‘Magma,’ released last February. ‘Magma’ earned Gojira two Grammy nominations earlier this year. (Sunday, Starland Ballroom)

These are our picks for the hottest shows happening in the New York/New Jersey area this weekend. If you’re still trying to finalize your plans for weekend fun, check out one of these shows or any of the many others that keep the area’s music scene so vibrant.

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Before the show, stop by Vinyl Bay 777 or vinylbay777.com to pick up music from these artists and more. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from with more being added all the time. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. Whether you enjoy rock, metal, pop, R&B, hip-hop, classical, dance or jazz, Vinyl Bay 777 has you covered.