Music Exhibits to Check Out in New York This Holiday Weekend

With Passover and Easter both coming up this weekend, there will be a lot of family time to be had. One of the best ways to spend quality time doing something together as a family is to check out a museum. And with a handful of music-related exhibits recently popping up in the city, this holiday weekend is a great time to take the family out for some fun.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the music-related exhibits that have hit New York in the last month. From learning about a legend to taking a closer look at punk art and rock’s most famous instruments, here are three big exhibits you’ll want to check out.

1.       ‘Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything’: Spend Passover learning about one of the most important Jewish artists of the last 50 years, Leonard Cohen. ‘Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything’ opened at the Jewish Museum last week, giving attendees a unique look into the singer/songwriter’s “imagination and legacy.” The exhibit, which was commissioned before Cohen’s passing in 2016 and first premiered at the Musee d’art Contemporain de Montreal, features commissioned works inspired by his style and recurring themes, projections of his own artworks and multimedia galleries with audio recordings of Cohen covers by the likes of Feist, Moby and The National with Sufjan Stevens. Special in observance of Passover, the Jewish Museum will have free admission on April 20 & 21 and April 26 & 27, so practicing Jews wishing not to carry or participate in commerce during the holiday’s high days can still see the exhibits. (Now through September 8)

2.       ‘Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die: Punk Graphics, 1976-1986’: The punk and new wave movement of the 1970s and 1980s had some of the most distinct art of any musical culture. ‘Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die,’ which opened at the Museum of Arts and Design on April 9, takes a look at pieces from the decade in an effort to “explore the visual language of punk through hundreds of its most memorable graphics, from the shocking remixes of expropriated images and texts to the DIY zines and flyers that challenged the commercial slickness of the mainstream media.” Along with the exhibit, the museum is holding special events, including a punk film series and discussions with people who created within and documented the era. (Now through August 18)

3.       ‘Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll’: Co-organized with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s ‘Play It Loud’ exhibit features famous instruments from throughout rock music history, many of which were donated by the artists themselves. Some of the featured items include a guitar from Chuck Berry, a Petite Grand Piano played by Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters’ “The Hoss,” one of Ringo Starr’s Beatles drum kits, one of Paul McCartney’s custom-made basses and the first Fender guitar ever built. Alongside the “approximately 130 instruments,” which include guitars, pianos, saxophones and more, the exhibit also features concert posters and costumes worn by the artists. This exhibit is in addition to the museum’s recently reopened permanent exhibit, ‘The Art of Music.’(Now through October 1)

From punk and rock to the influence of Leonard Cohen, music is hitting New York’s museums big this season. These exhibits are sure to be a great way to get some music and culture in your life and spend some quality time with family this holiday weekend (outside of Passover and Easter rituals).

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Find a wide selection of titles from music’s vast history and culture at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles in an array of genres to suit most music lovers’ tastes. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need To Check Out (April 7-13, 2019)

Another week has come and gone, and with it came a slew of new music for our listening pleasure. That was especially true with rock and pop, as new tracks from the likes of Ellie Goulding, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Silversun Pickups, The Chainsmokes, Mark Ronson and more hit the internet this week.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s hottest new songs and music videos. Here are 10 (and a few more) that we think will make a great addition to your weekend listening.

1.       Foster The People, “Style”: “Style’s” pounding beat sets the tone for this dark, heavy synth-rock track. The beginning is very anthemic and confident with a stride you can strut to. It sounds a bit like a Muse track with less distortion. (video)

2.       King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, “Planet B”: King Gizzard try their hand at metal with “Planet B,” a rock track with heavy guitars and growly vocals. It’s a very different sound from “Fishing For Fishies,” which means this album is sure to be one eclectic, interesting piece. (video)

3.       Otoboke Beaver, “Datsu, Hikage No Onna”: Though the song is in Japanese, the intensity of the band’s delivery on “Datsu, HIkage No Onna” breaks the language barrier. It’s short, fast and loud; exactly what you want from a punk track. (video)

4.       Matt Kivel, “Two Braids”: Ordinarily, I would say that “Two Braids” was too low key for me. However, there is something about the beat and the soft instrumentals that are entrancing. (video)

5.       Silversun Pickups, “It Doesn’t Matter Why”: With a rumbling bass line and hurried pacing, “It Doesn’t Matter Why” is a quick, heart-pounding track. It’s a solid, upbeat melody that at times evokes a bit of fear, but mostly just fast-paced toe-tapping. (video)

6.       Claud, “If I Were You”: “If I Were You” is an upbeat, catchy acoustic pop track that will have you humming along on first listen. The melody is a bit 90s girl power singer-songwriter, which is a great vibe. (video)

7.       Pure Bathing Culture, “All Night”: “All Night” is a synth-y track that sounds directly out of the 1980s. The buzzy guitar adds a nice flair to this dreamy, semi-upbeat track. (video)

8.       Jeanines, “Either Way”: Right out of the gate, “Either Way” grabs your attention with a burst of guitar energy that will leave you bopping your head for the entire minute and a half. The vocals are a bit more muted than the instrumental, sounding almost atmospheric among them. (bandcamp)

9.       Ellie Goulding, “Sixteen”: “Sixteen” is a nostalgic pop track that’s a bit more down to earth than some of her previous singles. It’s still heavily produced, but the electronic elements don’t overshadow the point of the song. (video)

10.   Craig’s Brother, “Follow Your Heart”: “Follow Your Heart” sends a heartfelt message telling listeners to listen to their hearts and find their happiness as they rip through a quick-paced pop-punk melody. The song will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face as you rock out. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Anna Of The North, “Used To Be”: (video)

·         The Gotobeds, “Twin Cities”: (video)

·         The Mountain Goats, “Sicilian Crest”: (video)

·         Penelope Isles, “Chlorine”: (video)

·         Mark Ronson feat. Lykke Li, “Late Night Feelings”: (video)

·         The Head And The Heart, “Missed Connection”: (video)

·         The Chainsmokers, “Kills You Slowly”: (video)

This week saw the release of a lot of great new songs and music videos from pop and rock artists new and established. Check out some of our favorites this weekend that we’ve listed above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to satisfy most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Kiss Say Farewell: Looking Back at the Iconic Metal Band's Legacy

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island's music outlet, takes a brief look at what made Kiss so influential

For more than 46 years, veteran New York metal band Kiss has been shocking fans with spectacular theatrics and enduring rock hits. Now, the band is in the middle of their ‘End Of The Road’ World Tour, giving fans one final hurrah before putting the touring life behind them. The band finishes up the first North American leg this weekend and will embark on a European leg at the end of May with another North American leg following close behind in August. According to reviews from previous nights, the iconic metal band’s farewell tour is not one to miss.

Part of what has made the band so successful has been stage presence and shock value. Each member’s heavy, mask-like make-up highlights a different persona, each one with its own mystery and lore. Gene Simmons’ Demon’s extra-long tongue is the stuff of legend, especially when it is extended and dripping blood. The story about how they drew blood during a concert on Long Island to use as the red dye in their Kiss comic book lives on in infamy.

With such a presence, it only seems fitting that the band would have gotten good at selling themselves as a brand. Kiss has put their name on everything you can think of from normal-seeming items like action figures, notebooks and Christmas ornaments, to outrageous ones like Hello Kitty dolls, waffle makers and coffins.

As much as the presence, though, Kiss’ music has been able to stand the test of time. The band has 24 studio albums under their belt, 11 of which have gone platinum in the United States, as well as countless platinum-selling live and compilation albums. “Rock and Roll All Night,” the band’s first top 20 hit all the way back in 1975, continues to be a quintessential track that has stuck within the collective memories of not just rock fans but music fans in general for decades. “Detroit Rock City” inspired an entire movie.

Such endurance has given Kiss lasting influence. It’s an influence that can be felt in artists and genres far removed from the glam metal the band have become known for. Grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains counted the band as an early example of rebellion. Just like Kiss borrowed from early glam punk bands like the New York Dolls, the Ramones were influenced by the band’s brand. Bands and artists from such diverse backgrounds as Weezer, Nine Inch Nails, Pavement, The Hold Steady, Beastie Boys and The Roots all found a common influence in Kiss.

From their time-tested music to their beyond impressive stage presence and branding, Kiss have proven themselves to be legends in not just metal, but in rock music in general. Their influence spans many decades and genres and continues to spread as new fans discover the band’s music and create bands of their own. Kiss may be hanging up their platform shoes and costume make-up in the live setting, but their legacy will continue to live on for a long time.

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Before Kiss heads back to New York this summer, pick up music and memorabilia from the band at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island's top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more, including one of the largest Kiss collections on the island, in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Artists Who Recreated Other Artists Music Videos

On Wednesday, New York disco-rock band Escort released a video for their latest single “Outta My Head.” The video near-faithfully recreates the one released by Journey for their hit “Separate Ways” back in 1983, down to the clothing each member of the band is wearing.

This is not a new occurrence, as many artists before them have either recreated other artists’ videos in either tribute or parody as well. Artists like Eminem and Blink 182 have been parodying snippets of popular videos in their own ways for decades. With every new parody single he releases, “Weird Al” Yankovic produces a parody video to go with it. Recently, younger artists like Troye Sivan and Anne-Marie have been paying homage to iconic late 1990s videos in their own clips.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at artists who have recreated another artist’s complete music videos for their own music videos. Here are six that wear their inspiration on their sleeves and, faithfully or not, pay homage to what came before.

1.       Panic! At The Disco, “Girls/Girls/Boys”: When it came time to release a video for single “Girls/Girls/Boys” from their fourth studio album, ‘Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!’ in 2013, Panic! At The Disco took things back to early 2000s R&B for inspiration. To go with the song’s lyrics about a love triangle, they decided to recreate D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” video, which would have frontman Brendon Urie completely stripped down and singing directly into a camera. It’s a pretty faithful remake with every camera zoom and pan spot on. (video)

2.       Weezer, “Africa”: Weezer are no strangers to parodying pop culture in their music videos. But with their recent cover of Africa’s “Toto,” the band decided to do something a little different. Instead of recreating the original song’s video, they recreated one of their own. The band recruited parody expert “Weird Al” Yankovic to play Rivers in a shot-for-shot remake of their “Undone (The Sweater Song)” video. The only differences were Yankovic’s “Buddy Holly”-inspired outfit and the lack of dogs running around the set. (video)

3.       Fall Out Boy, “Irresistible” feat. Demi Lovato: For their “Irresistible” video back in 2016, Fall Out Boy inserted themselves into the world of *NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me” video, turning themselves into bobbleheads that get brought to life on the store shelf. While not as faithful as some of the other videos on this list, the band does a good job of putting their own spin on the concept. They even found roles for *NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone in the production. (video)

4.       Blink 182, “She’s Out Of Her Mind”: Not ones to take themselves too seriously, Blink 182 decided to parody one of their own music video in 2016. The video for ‘California’ single “She’s Out Of Her Mind” is a nearly shot-for-shot remake of the video for the band’s breakthrough single “What’s My Age Again,” except with ladies running around instead of the band. (video)

5.       Classixx feat. T-Pain, “Whatever I Want”: With their 2016 video for “Whatever I Want,” electronic group Classixx found inspiration in indie rockers The Smiths, faithfully recreating the video for “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” down to the photo of Oscar Wilde and even reusing shots from the original. According to director Daniel Pappas, the inspiration for the recreation came from collaborator T-Pain’s (who plays the part of Morrissey in the video) struggles with depression, the “shared sadness of Smiths fans and how, through all of the depression and sadness, when you look like Morrissey in whatever way you can, everything is going to be okay.” (video)

6.       Ingrid Michaelson, “Girls Chase Boys”: Robert Palmer’s video for 1988 single “Simply Irresistible” has had its share of reimaginings and references in popular culture. But for her 2014 single “Girls Chase Boys,” Ingrid Michaelson went a step further and created a nearly faithful homage to the original. The twist, however, was that the ladies in make-up and pink dresses from the original would be replaced with men in make-up and pink shirts. (video)

Whether parodying their own videos or faithfully paying homage to the artists that came before, recreating a music video has become a popular way for artists to share artistic inspiration and/or get a certain feeling across. Check out some of these recreated videos above and let us know what your favorite music video recreations are in the comments below.

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Pay homage to your favorite artists by picking up music from these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. With thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres, we have something to fit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (March 31-April 6, 2019)

There is a lot of new music being released over the course of any given week. This week was no exception, as a wealth of new songs and music videos were released for our listening and watching entertainment.  That was particularly true for rock and pop, as we got some new music from the likes of AJR, Vampire Weekend, The National, the Jonas Brothers and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, knows that the weekend is the perfect time to discover the new music. That’s why we’ve scoured the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are eight (and a few more) that we think are worth a listen.

1.       AJR, “Dear Winter”: For “Dear Winter,” AJR forgo all the big recordings for a simple, touching tune devoted to the singer’s future son. The song is written like a letter, on the surface telling his future son about how he can’t wait to see him grow up. However, the letter is at its core a confession, saying that although he dreams of having a child, he is at a loss to find the perfect woman to have said child with. The melody and lyrics made me smile, though its subject feels a bit sad and very relatable. (video)

2.       I Prevail, “Hurricane”: Hardcore band I Prevail released their very personal sophomore album, ‘Trauma,’ last week. Now, the band has put out a video for its next single, “Hurricane.” The video tells frontman Brian Burkheiser’s story and how the band came to recording the new album. His words appear on the screen amongst footage from throughout the band’s career as the song’s honest lyricism (about not letting depression smother you) and melodic verses build into intense choruses & bridge. It’s a great song from a great album that is well worth a listen if you haven’t heard it yet. (video)

3.       Vampire Weekend, “Unbearably White” & “This Life”: Two more tracks from Vampire Weekend’s upcoming album, ‘Father Of The Bride,’ dropped this week. “This Life” feels like a return to the VW of the late 2000s. The song is upbeat and bouncy with a slight hint of the multicultural influence and “punkiness” that dictated their earlier instrumentation, though with a much softer edge. “Unbearably White” is decidedly slower and a bit more jazzy / bluesy, though not unfamiliar. It’s the band expanding on an influence that has been underlying their work for years. (“White” / “Life”)

4.       Brand of Julez, “Take It All Away”: Bronx, NY hard rock band Brand of Julez is in top form with their latest single “Take It All Away.” Frontman Julez Zamora’s vocal hovers above the song’s thumping drums and aggressive guitar in a way that highlights the song’s protest-like lyrics. Bassist Brandon Zamora’s growly unclean vocals and screaming are demon-like in delivery. (video)

5.       With Confidence, “Pâquerette (Without Me)”: An emotional acoustic ballad, “Pâquerette’s” contemplative melody strikes a chord with anyone who has grown apart from or lost someone once close to them. It’s not all sad though, as its premise is to wish them the best and realize that it’s okay to be happy for those people and wish them well. (video)

6.       Marshmello feat. CHVRCHES, “Here With Me”: Marshmello released two new videos this week, including one for recent single “Here With Me.” Like with “Happier,” he went for an emotional scenario, this time showing a mother and daughter in crisis as they watch their firefighter husband/father combat a blaze on the evening news. You really feel for his characters here and feel everything they’re going through. (video)

7.       Bracket, “Canned From The Food Drive”: California punk band Bracket is getting ready to release their ninth studio album, ‘Too Old to Die Young,’ in May, their first back on Fat Wreck Chords in nearly two decades. Lead single “Canned From The Food Drive” is a laid-back California surf-punk track that doesn’t come off as over aggressive. There is enough kick in the song’s 2 ½ minutes to get you though with plenty of melody to offset the lack of high-flying energy. (video)

8.       Amber Mark, “Mixer”: “Mixer” has an infectious, 70s-style groove that will have you moving along to every bass pluck and drum hit. Amber Mark’s voice is phenomenal as well and fits perfectly into the song’s retro vibe. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Jonas Brothers, “Cool”: (video)

·          Hot Chip, “Hungry Child”: (video)

·         Titus Andronicus, “(I Blame) Society”: (bandcamp)

·         Kitty Kat Fan Club, “Dreamy Little You”: (video)

·         Heart Attack Man, “Out For Blood”: (video)

·         The National, “Light Years”: (video)

This week saw the release of a lot of great new pop and rock songs and music videos. Take this weekend for music discovery by checking out some of our favorite new tunes above. Then, let us know what songs you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking to find something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

New Albums to Watch For in April 2019

April is here, which means a brand new batch of new albums is getting ready to hit shelves over the course of the next few weeks. There are some highly anticipated pop and rock albums on that list, including titles from BTS, P!nk, Sara Bareilles, AJR and Cage the Elephant, as well as the final album from The Cranberries.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the new albums we’re excited to see hit shelves in April. From the highly anticipated to the highly interesting, here are six albums to keep an eye out for.

1.       Andy Black, ‘The Ghost of Ohio’: Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack is releasing his second solo album under stage name Andy Black, ‘The Ghost of Ohio,’ this month. The album is the follow-up to his well received 2016 debut ‘The Shadow Side.’ Biersack has already released three singles that take the hard rock of BVB and gives it a pop tinge that takes a bit of the edge off. Alongside the album, a graphic novel of the same name is being released with Z2 Comics. (4/12)

2.       BTS, ‘Map of the Soul: Persona’: South Korean boy band BTS has proven themselves to be a driving force of the new global K-Pop phenomenon. Last year the group released two highly successful albums, of which ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ became their first number one album in the US and the first K-Pop album to hold that top spot. This month, the band releases the first in their next series of themed albums, ‘Map of the Soul: Persona.’ Pre-orders are already exceeding two-and-a-half million copies, so this album is, without a doubt, highly anticipated and going to be one of the hottest of the year. (4/12)

3.       Cage the Elephant, ‘Social Cues’: Written at a tumultuous time in frontman Matt Shultz’s life, ‘Social Cues’ finds Cage the Elephant heading in a different direction musically. Lead single “Ready To Let Go” has a noticeably darker sound to it than the band’s previous, more punk-y indie-rock fare. The band explores new influences as well, with the 80s-synth-filled “House of Glass” and the reggae-tinged Beck-featuring “Night Running,” though they are still underlined by this dark, stoic, down beat vibe. (4/19)

4.       AJR, ‘Neotheater’: Bursting onto the pop-rock scene in 2017 with their sophomore album, ‘The Click,’ AJR is ready to prove that the band of brothers is not just a one-hit wonder with the release of their upcoming third album, ‘Neotheater.’  The band has already been ramping things up as evidenced by the big, triumphant horn-filled sound of first single “100 Bad Days.” Latest single “Birthday Party” isn’t as bouncy, instead going for a Jason Mraz-like easy vibe with added hip-hop beats, more horns and lyrics exploring the innocence of childhood. (4/26)

5.       King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, ‘Fishing for Fishies’: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are an interesting band with very unique sound. For example, the titular single of their upcoming 14^th studio album, ‘Fishing for Fishies,’ is light and bouncy, mirroring perfectly what it might feel like to be fishing at a river on a hot, sunny country day. In contrast, first single “Cyboogie” is electronic and heavy with a bit of jazz mixed in. This is sure to be an eclectic album with many more twists and turns, which could make it an exciting listen. (4/26)

6.       The Cranberries, ‘In The End’: At the time of The Cranberries frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan’s untimely death, the band was working on a new album. To honor her memory, the band finished the album using the vocal tracks O’Riordan had already recorded, and are now releasing it under the title ‘In The End.’ The album marks the end of an era, as this will understandably be the band’s final studio release. (4/26)

April is gearing up to be another great month for new music. With some highly anticipated new releases, as well as some albums that are sure to be great listens even without the hype, there is a lot to keep an eye out for in the coming weeks. Check out some of our April picks above and let us know what albums you’re excited to hear this month in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a range of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to listen to or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.