Troy

Elizabeth Reiss Advice for 2025 : Focus on the Basics | Embrace Change

January 10, 2025 By Corey Aldrich

Elizabeth Reiss, CEO of The Arts Center of the Capital Region is a force of nature. Many of you here no doubt know her or at least of her but many don’t fully understand the energetic impact and momentum she creates in the regional art scene and beyond. Seasoned and confident, Liz is not only a personal mentor to myself and many others but additionally serves as an Advisory Board Member of ACE! who has been connected here since it’s inception. As such, I can’t think of a better person to bring a slice of pragmatic sanity to the barrel we are looking down that we call 2025.

Elizabeth Reiss, CEO at The Arts Center of the Capital Region | Image: Corey Aldrich

Please state your name, title and past experience that got you to where you are today.

My name is Elizabeth Reiss. I am currently the CEO of the Arts Center of the Capital Region.

I’ve always worked in the arts, everything from gallery installer, docent trainer, publications manager to festival producer. What got me here? At the Arts Center? When I was in college I took a painting class. A visiting artist/professor looked at my work and scoffed at it. Told me to stop painting. She and my primary professor laughed. I was humiliated. I never want that experience for someone. Everyone should paint. Sing. Dance. Maybe they won’t end up in a gallery. Every artist belongs somewhere – the walls of MoMa or the fridge. So, I work at a place that celebrates it all. I love it. I’m lucky.

That said, what else got me here? I’m fearless when it comes to thinking I can pull off a project. I’ve opened a children’s museum in NYC, produced an artist-made skate board park in Pittsburgh, and now I’m working on my most complicated endeavor yet – finally developing the upper floors of the Arts Center.

The 2024 FENCE Show in the Jane Altes Gallery at the Arts Center of the Capital Region
Image: Provided

Can you tell us a bit about what a day in the life looks like for you at the Arts Center?

The Arts Center has a much smaller staff than people may think. There are 7 of us full time. So, I spend a lot of time internally, writing & managing projects. I like writing. Our board is really involved, there’s lots of people dropping in. Or, I’m out. I’m old fashioned, I like to meet with people get a little deeper into things. Get to really know people. I spend a lot of my time representing the Center and the region at places like Creatives Rebuild New York, ArtsNYS, or with elected officials. I’m trying to start up a new group – Capital Region Arts Allies, to help the region get more funding. We are all surviving, but imagine if we all had enough resources to do more?

Arts Center of the Capital Region – One of the 2024 Troy Glow Exhibits in Downtown Troy NY
Image: Corey Aldrich

I know in addition to your main gig, you are involved in other supportive organizations. Can you tell us a bit about those roles?

When I started at the Arts Center, I knew we were also an arts council and a regrant site, but I didn’t really know what any of of that meant. So, I turned to my peers and had some fabulous mentors who mentors formed ArtsNYS, a state-wide educational and advocacy group. That led to me to serve as President of ArtsNYS for the last three years which has been incredibly fruitful. The Arts Center was able to distribute a million dollars over two years in grants to our community. Beyond the funding, I’ve met a lot of people. Last fall I invited the Center for Urban Futures (See ACE! Interview with Eli Dvorkin of CUF) here to talk about the arts and artists in the Capital Region. The growth here is phenomenal. The artist population is growing at a faster rate than any other sector. It’s really exciting. I stepped down as President, but will still be finishing the projects that I started, including a state-wide artist survey that ACE!, CREATE Council on the Arts and Siena College collaborated on with the Arts Center. We are just getting to building the research tools for the findings. Stay tuned on that one.

A Young Student Works in the Stained Glass Shop at the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy NY
Image: Provided

With a new administration, the end of ARPA funding and the current underwriting challenges for the arts, where do you see things headed in 2025? What in your opinion needs to be the main focus for arts / cultural institutions?

You know, the future is a little uncertain in regards to policy and funding. And so many people are feeling unsafe right now. This is where the rings on my tree may be an asset. I’ve seen this before. Federal funds may retract, state funds will be under strain….but….private dollars may fare better. It’s too soon to tell. One thing I do know…. this kind of uncertainty leads me to my own true certainty – in times of unrest people need the arts. Artists help us understand what we are seeing, experiencing and feeling. Time and time again, when things get tough, people want to feel control. So they start making things again. There’s a reason crafts blew up during the pandemic. It was something to do, sure, but it was something we could do with our own two hands and with our own autonomy. So the arts will forge on. At the Arts Center? Our main focus will be on strengthening our core programming and to continue to rebuild now that the rescue funds have be spent. Yet, we’ll also try to be sensitive to the changes and stay ahead of them. We will be as nimble as possible to serve the needs as they present themselves. That said, we have a few ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) and DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) dollars to spend, so look forward to more public art.

BIG INK Print Workshop at the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy NY | Image: Provided

What would you say are some practical suggestions that folks can put to use in their organizations to find a more predictable resource sustainability?

That’s a big question. Lets see…

When funding gets tough, its always good to stick to your core competencies and to deliver them with excellence. If you want predictability, you too need to be predictable. That doesn’t mean you have to do the same creative act every day, but it does mean you have to commit to the same level of care and thoughtfulness in what you bring to the public.

Art Center of the Capital Region – 2023 Troy Art Block in Church Street Alley, Troy NY
Image: Steve Alverez

It’s better to have 100 donors at $10 a month than one donor at $1000 a month even though its a lot more work. Your funding can withstand donors dropping in and out and your programming can stay on track.

I’m also still learning this one – communicate more than you think you need to. People – whether they are consumers or donors – want the inside track. They want to stay in touch. Let’s face it, its hard to get people’s attention, so develop a communication plan and stick with it. Even if no one tells you they are listening. They are.

Youth Photography Workshop at the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy NY
Image: Provided

Anything in the pipeline that we should be aware of? Anything you would like to plug that you have coming up?

More and more creatives are moving upstate and they aren’t interested in our old rules of who does what or our outdated regional boundaries. The work week will continue to flow and change, where people go for arts and entertainment will flow and change, and I hope as a community we can work together to reach for more.

Sorry I don’t have anything more tangible. It’s winter. We are all hunkered down. The kilns downstairs in the pottery studio are warm though…

For more info –
WEB: capartscenter.org
IG: @capregionartscenter
FB: @TheArtsCenteroftheCapitalRegion

Working on the Wheel in the Pottery Studio | Image: Provided

Joshua Gruft’s Paper Moon : Diverse International Flavor and Happening Community Vibes

November 25, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

Joshua Gruft has shown up everywhere over the last couple of years. DJ gigs for cool parties and burlesque shows, bar based magazine release events, and now…he even has an old school rare book and magazine store called Paper Moon in Troy, NY that has a killer roster of community based music and literature happenings. I caught up with him to get the latest and man, was I out of the loop as to just how cool and diverse a programming calendar PM has going on! We talked about the above and also chatted about leaving a day gig to go full time into the full time entrepreneurial business, creative lifestyle.

Joshua Gruft : Owner at Paper Moon in Troy, NY | Image: Provided

Please state your name, title and educational / artistic background.

My name is Joshua Gruft, and I’m the owner of Paper Moon Bookstore, which opened in March 2024. I hold a BA in Music and Education from City College of New York, and I’ve spent the past 20 years working as a professional musician, promoter, and artistic director.

MC Event at Paper Moon in Troy, NY | Image: Provided

Can you tell us more about your shop? What motivated you to open a physical location. I have worked with you in the past as DJ Mercy. Do you plan on spinning there?

When I launched my own magazine, I noticed how few places offered magazine selections. I wanted to change that and bring something unique to downtown Troy. Paper Moon is a bookstore and magazine shop that features hard-to-find titles and showcases local art.

Paper Moon in Troy, NY has an Amazing Selection of Rare Zines, Books and Magazines | Image(s): Instagram

I have a symbiotic relationship with DJ Mercy, so whenever I’m working in the shop, I’m also spinning. The current shop mix contains tracks from the Jazz is Dead series by Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhamed, albums from the Smiling C record label, a healthy dose of Donald Byrd & RinseFM.

Event Crowd at Paper Moon in Troy, NY | Image: Provided

The size of the space and format reminds me of things I was seeing in Tokyo a few years ago. Can you dive a little into the current and long term vision for the retail space product mix and social programming?

The shop began as a space for cool books and magazines, inspired by Gagosian Shops’ high-art style and Casa Magazines’ floor-to-ceiling setup. My goal is to maximize every inch to showcase art, host events, and foster community. I’m already bringing together poetry nights, local punk bands, free improv/jazz, noise performances, book talks, and art shows. I’m a promoter by trade, so throwing unique events is my passion—they also help transform the shop’s aesthetics and give local creatives a home.

Sample of Event Flyers for Paper Moon in Troy, NY | Image(s): Instagram

Setting up a retail shop is financially challenging. How were you able to pull that off? Did you have to bring in partners? I am always interested in how folks make these things a reality, so many creatives have dreams of doing creative businesses but don’t know where to start.

Opening Paper Moon was indeed financially challenging. I used part of my retirement savings from my last corporate job to make it happen. I don’t have a team of partners, but I’ve leaned on friends, family, and other local indie business owners for emotional support. I’m also grateful to have Marc Arsenault as my one employee—he’s been running Wow Cool comics distro since 1988, so it’s incredible to fill 40% of the shop with his extensive back catalog of comics spanning different eras and genres.

WOW Cool Selection of Rare Books,Graphic Novels and Comics at Paper Moon | Image(s): Instagram

Poetry Reading at Paper Moon in Troy, NY | Image: Marc Arsenault of WOW Cool via Facebook

Shameless plug: Anything additional coming up we should know about?

The holidays are coming up! Come by and let me help you find something unique and fun for your friends and family. Make sure to tell me you heard about us in the ACE! Newsletter!

For more info or to follow them on Instagram: Paper Moon Troy

METROLAND (NOW) : Revival of a Capital Region Institution

October 9, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

Like the glory days of First Friday, METROLAND played such an important part in the creative discovery of what the Capital Region had to offer. Every week I remember picking up a copy (Usually at Tess’s Lark Tavern) and scanning through it to plan my weekend activities. While there are some other sources of arts and cultural listings in the region where you can find out things that are happening and get good interviews and background (Radio Radio X and Nippertown) METROLAND was always a gold standard for finding out where and what was happening from the above to underground scenes. Musician / Comedian Erin Harkes is looking to bring back that energy and has secured the brand for a new rendition as retooled as METROLAND NOW. The question is, what will she do with it?

Erin Harkes : Musician, Comedian and Publisher at METROLAND NOW | Photo: Kiki Vassilakis

Could you state your name, title and background?

Erin Harkes. Multi-hyphenate 😉 Musician, Comedian, and now publisher!

As an entertainer who has spent over two decades in the capital region, navigating every twist and turn the industry has presented, continuously adapting and reinventing myself along the way. The constant throughout this journey has been the significance of marketing. While the methods of marketing may evolve, the essential need for it remains unchanged.

Many people often ask why I haven’t relocated to a larger city. It’s a complex question. Perhaps it stems from a sense of contentment or, by some accounts, complacency. It’s undeniable that bigger cities offer opportunities that may not be available here, yet I have consistently found ways to create my own paths. Instead of commuting to places like Boston or NYC every time I want to showcase my comedy, I decided to take matters into my own hands by producing shows specifically to provide myself with performance opportunities. I’ve approached music in a similar fashion, and now, I’m venturing into publishing as well with METROLAND NOW.

Historic METROLAND Covers | Photo(s): Facebook

To many of us who have been around the region for a while, METROLAND was a gold standard for the arts and cultural sector (and activism). I was so disappointed to see it go. What made you decide that now was the time to revive that and how were you able to pull that off? What geographic area will you be covering? Topically, what will be the content focus of the publication?

I felt there was a void / vacuum in the area. There are definitely other publications but some are just not an option for me as a performer. I had always had the idea of reviving METROLAND in the back or my brain. I honestly never thought beyond that until this year. It all kind of happened organically through countless conversations with other creatives and folks in the community. We will be covering Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga and the general perimeter around those four. But we won’t hold ourselves back from places beyond that when the call comes! The focus, for now, will mostly be music but we’re expanding into arts and other entertainment, comedy, community events, non-profit organizations, small businesses, a comprehensive calendar and just see where it takes us! As long as the message is positive, we’ll share it!

I know you started with the idea of being an online publication only and now I have heard murmurs that you are considering bringing a version into print also. Can you tell us more about what that will look like and what the timelines are on that front? Will this be a weekly issue?

I started this idea with NO intention of printing but the more I talked to folks the more I heard this exact phrase uttered: “I miss picking one up.” I really listened to that. For whatever reason, folks miss the physical nature of METROLAND. I don’t believe print is dead but I also don’t see the need for a weekly so we’re going to try for a monthly hopefully starting this month! (October 2024)

A robust and representative publication takes a lot of team work. How big is your current team? Is it mostly volunteers or paid folk? As I recollect, that last version of Metroland ended up closing due to financial issues. Do you have a plan to ensure that you don’t end up with similar challenges?

My current team is about seven folks, including myself. Everyone has been volunteering, including myself. There’s one person who I have been paying out of my own pocket because she does this for a living and has a small child and another on the way, whereas the other team members have day jobs. Everything is transparent; everyone knows who’s making what. I’m actively working on way to ensure that everyone, including myself, gets paid. It’s a priority. The last thing I want to do is exploit artists!

I registered as a non-profit because my priority is to try and help other non-profits in the area – be it venues or general NFP’s – get the attention they might not be able to afford otherwise. I plan on doing some fundraising and getting some sponsors/patrons/donors to help give to the cause. There will also be advertising opportunities that can generate income. My plan to make sure we stay financially viable is to use the resources I have built over my 20+ years in the Capital Region and learn from my peers. I have been offered an incredible amount of support from some of the most successful people in the area and am genuinely humbled by the respect I’ve been shown. I have a big ego and know what my vision is but I am not too proud to ask for help with the things that I haven’t learned enough about yet. It will take a village, but I HAVE that village.

If folks want to be involved on the creative content side or are interested in advertising or being a distribution point, what’s the best way for them to get in touch?

We have received SO many submissions so far. We are working on the best way to filter through them all and give the best consideration to each and are still ironing out a process to make this easy for everyone involved. When it’s time it will be very clear how to do that! Right now we suggest checking the website and the social media. We’re chipping away at the messages we’ve already gotten and asking people to be patient with us. I have amazing volunteers and I am not about to overwhelm them. There’s a fine line between ambition/tenacity and harassment, though. The latter will not be rewarded. Even the most talented folks won’t be considered if they aren’t respectful during this process. Also the core group has to vote unanimously on new contributors. I want everyone to be safe and comfortable with their peers. That is paramount. Contacting ME directly isn’t a good idea, either. Haha! Just trying to make our boundaries very clear.

Shameless Plug: What would you like to share with us? Any things coming up on the horizon we should know about?

Thank you but honestly nothing right now! We just ask that everyone share the website and the socials and keep it up with all the positive messages. I can’t wait to watch this grow and work with our vibrant and talented community!

Finally, know that ACE! has your back! 🙂

LIKEWISE! I look very much forward to working with you guys closely!

For more on the final days of METROLAND previous...check out the article in the Times Union from January 2016 by Paul Grondahl.

The Team at METROLAND – The Final Days | Photo: Steve Jacobs / Times Union

PINT SIZED and NO FUN: A Tale of 3 Cities with Entrepreneur August Rosa

April 2, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

Having been to several shows at August Rosa‘s most recent venue, (including Hand Habits, Tiawan based Mong Tong, the Algonquin Pow Wow Medicine Singers with Yonatan Gat, and then there was that cool ass DAEDELUS show) it always impresses me the incredible variety of all types of music that can be experienced there. I was aware of his Albany and Saratoga PINT SIZED craft beer based locations and have tippled a drink or two in Albany specifically. What really excites me though, is the visceral music programming and developing community based around NO FUN.

August Rosa : Pre-Show Load In at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Please state your name, professional and educational background. Also, can you elaborate a bit on the three locations that you are currently operating?

Why hello Corey Aldrich. My name is August Rosa I am Owner and Operator of Pint Sized in downtown Saratoga Springs on Broadway and Albany on Lark Street. Most of my time is spent at No Fun in Troy nowadays my third location. I was briefly involved in a wine bar called Post on Lark Street as well with some of my best friends that I used to be in a band with (Aficionado). It is going to be 10 years of being an entrepreneur on July 4th 2024! Prior to diving into business ownership I did marketing for MASS MoCA and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District. I had really great bosses at both of those jobs that were patient with me as a creative… but incredibly lazy and objectively bad employee. No joke…having run businesses now for close to 10 years and understanding the full scope of how things work from the ground up, I believe I would kick ass at any job as long as it wasn’t boring. I went to the College of Saint Rose (RIP) with a major in Communications and a minor in Music Industry for undergrad and then got my MBA at SUNY Albany. I also was welcomed into the band Sun Natives on bass guitar by TJ and Brandon which is a nice outlet that is a purely creative outlet much needed void of any business interference.

August Rosa Plays Bass with the Sun Natives at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Pint Sized Storefront in Saratoga Springs, New York | Image: Provided

Can you talk a bit about the difference between NO FUN in Troy and the PINT SIZED locations Albany and Saratoga?

The focus at NO FUN is what happens on the stage and not what is in the coolers. Pint Sized are craft beer centric bars that at any time have over 100 different options to choose from. Prior to opening NO FUN I would often throw events that were not conducive to the spaces. They are called Pint Sized for a reason. Our Saratoga location might be 400 square feet of usable space for patrons. We one time had an 11 person band there. It was ridiculous, extremely fun and packed out… but truly ridiculous. We still do events like karaoke and trivia at the Pint Sized locations but have shifted our live music attention to No Fun where we have a great sound system and the space to throw very sick shows.

A Place to Bury Strangers Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Can you share a bit about what your motivation was to open and what your current vision is for NO FUN?

I was constantly finding myself having to go to a big music festival to knock out a ton of bands I wanted to see or travel to the major metros for the type of music I am interested in. I like the weird stuff and felt there was a void in the area for that stuff. The only thing filling that in my opinion was the programming Super Dark Collective brings to Desperate Annie’s (Saratoga) as well as basement shows. I wanted to create a space that was slightly bigger (not too big!) that everyone would feel comfortable going to so I could bring some bigger bands in the area and not have to travel for the stuff that I like the most. I believe No Fun is the absolute perfect size for the type of stuff we like to present. Feels good with 50 heads and feels really good as it approaches 200 heads.

WITCH (*Zambia*) Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

My favorite places to play / see shows are more DIY in nature… be it a basement or an art space. I wanted No Fun to not have a shred of corporate feel and vibe like you were at a show at your friends house while at the same time functioning professionally as a legitimate licensed business. Places I drew inspiration for the project include Death By Audio, Glasslands Gallery, 285 Kent… there were a million places like this in NYC that absolutely ruled, Valentines of course is a big inspiration (What’s up Howard?!) and the many house show spaces that have popped up throughout the region the past 20 years I have lived here. One of my favorite shows I played in the area was a vacant apartment that still had power and an unlocked door. We legit just brought a shitty PA system into the place, plugged in and packed the house. This was back when Facebook worked and was cool and an event listing could drum up 100 plus folks in an hour or two.

Algonquin Pow Wow Medicine Singers with Yonatan Gat Live at No Fun in Troy, New York
Image: Patrick Dodson

Having been to several shows there (including Hand Habits, Tiawan based Mong Tong, the Algonquin Pow Wow Medicine Singers with Yonatan Gat, and then there was that cool ass DAEDELUS show) it always impresses me the incredible variety of all types of music that one can experience there. How do you manage to keep such a strong schedule and number of bands coming through?

It honestly happened faster than I thought. In the beginning I was bugging agents and bands all the time and not getting responses. Over time we proved ourselves and have developed some really great relationships that align exactly with the type of stuff I like to book – psych rock, post punk, world music… typically weirder and oftentimes louder stuff. I have brought in some acts that I have listened to forever and legit look up to like A Place To Bury Strangers, Ted Leo, No Age, Delicate Steve, Dan Deacon!!! (Chk Chk Chk), Gilla Band and our good friend Meg Duffy with Hand Habits to name a few. Some of the most rewarding acts were global in nature including Imarhan (Algeria), Medicine Singers (Algonquin Pow Wow), Acid Mothers Temple (Japan), WITCH (Zambia) and Mong Tong (Taiwan) which just happened.

Gutting a Body of Water Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

No Fun in Troy, New York Concert Posters | Image: Provided

Our programming is very kinetic and we are on track to do over 250 shows close to if not over 1000 bands this year! It is not a solo effort by any means and wouldn’t be possible without working with some of the area’s most innovative curators / presenters. There is a really solid group of folks who present at the space including Super Dark Collective (Shane Sanchez is our Booking Manager), Hey Greasy, Byrdhouse Records, Bee Side Cassettes, Albany Hardcore…There are a bunch more and bands who bring their release shows and ideas to us but these are some of the more regular presenters.

The economics and logistics of running a business can be intense, especially a live music venue open multiple days per week. Can you share a bit about your day to day and how you’re keeping the bands and rent paid?

It truly sucks! Please buy tickets in advance. Not just at No Fun but to any place you go to see shows. I cannot stress how helpful it is. It gives agents strong ticket counts so they have confidence in spaces and bring more sick shows to the area. It also helps us to prepare properly for crowd size. And…you also save a few bucks!!!

A big goal of mine is to keep my mental health in check with this thing. I am not going to lie, this project is not easy and projects like this can end at any time. There are definitely moments where I want to stop doing it. All that being said, it is in a very strong place right now and financially viable. I am always focused on keeping momentum going to keep the bills paid up. Unfortunately it comes at the cost of not being able to shut it off. I really am going to have to figure that out sooner than later.

Hand Habits Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Anything you have coming up you would like to share with our audience to keep them in the loop? Long term plans etc?

There are honestly too many to list. Just go to nofuntroy.eventbrite.com and pick something at random. All of the shows are great and deserve a crowd. I highlight the vibe of each show in the descriptions in just a few words. The whole purpose of the project is to have folks engage with new experiences. I see a lot of folks that go to the same show over and over again which is frustrating. I really do notice the folks that take the effort to get out of their comfort zone and that is the most fulfilling element of the project in my opinion. Those folks know who they are and I cannot thank them enough as they are the driving force that keeps me interested in doing it.

Upcoming 2024 Shows at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Provided

I would prefer having twenty people see something new and unexpected that they will remember their whole life over a sold out event with people who just go to the same exact shows all the time. Also it would be cool if people over the age of 30 stopped acting like they are in retirement mode. I pretty much stop engaging with individuals once they say they are too old to do stuff. I don’t care to be around folks with that mentality. It’s depressing and I see too much of it. All of my ads at this point target 21-30. Please take advantage of your life while you are still here.

K that’s enough of my bullish!t. Go to shows!!!

Gilla Band Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Write This Way : A Conversation w/ SONG CITY’s Scott Womer

April 2, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

About two years ago, I started seeing and hearing about something called Song City. The branding was tight, it felt like something important was happening. Eventually, I realized that it was in fact a local phenom. These shows, upstairs at the RUCK have a very organic feel. Played in a round, musicians all interacting with and feeding off one another – the vibe is very intimate. I caught up with Scott Womer to find out more about the overall program mission and direction and to get a peek under the covers to see what makes this series tick.

Song City *Founder and Director*, Scott Wormer | Image: Kiki Vassilakis (*with edits*)

Please state your name, what you do and any relevant background info.

My name is Scott Womer, Songwriter and the Founder / Director of Song City in Troy New York. During the day, I work as a Litho Technician at Global Foundries in Malta. On the education front, I hold a BA from Gordon College.

Song City w/ Caitlin Barker at the RUCK in Troy, New York 01.10.23 | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

I know you’re a musician yourself. What motivated you to put together the SONG CITY series. What is your mission and goals for the program?

In 1995, I moved from Albany to Nashville, in hopes of getting more music opportunities. It’s a humbling experience to move from a small music scene to one of the premier music cities of the world, where there are thousands of people doing what you do, and doing it much better. Having seen that happen multiple times, I decided to alter my goals. Over the next 5 years, I had tremendous experiences working at a record label, doing session work, learning to write, forming a band, and recording an EP.

The greatest thing I learned in Nashville was the power of a song. Beyond techniques, abilities, and trends, the song is what changes lives. Much of this lesson happened at a venue called The Bluebird Cafe. A staple in Nashville, the Bluebird featured weekly showcases, featuring 4 local songwriters, mostly known for their writing of songs by all our favorite country stars. This is also the venue where artists such as Taylor Swift and Keith Urban were discovered. The weakness of the Bluebird at that point in their history, was that they were a single-genre showcase. Not only does that lack in variety, more importantly, it conditions the audience to think that this is the only style of songwriting. At the time, I had no idea how that observation would affect my future.

Song City w/ Amani O at the RUCK in Troy, New York 6-13-23 | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

Years later, when I moved back to Troy NY, and was so energized by the talent and variety of the local music scene, I felt compelled to do whatever I could to help it grow. After writing and recording a project under the name Fenton Hardy during Covid, I realized how important it is to be part of an artistic city. Community is at the heart of every effective movement. So, I took what I had experienced at the Bluebird, and expanded it to include all genres. Some of our greatest writers are hip hop artists, jazz artists, alternative and avant-garde artists, and they deserve a place at the table. This not only creates respect for all styles of songwriting, but expands the audience’s experience and musical taste.

Song City at the Ruck in Troy, New York | Image: Kiki Vissilakis

Our home at The Ruck is integral to the success of Song City. One day, Dave Gardell, owner of my neighborhood bar, The Ruck, contacted me about bringing music back to their venue. They were interested in concerts and an open mic, and asked me to run those events. What I didn’t know was that there is a second and third floor to the Ruck that was beautiful and fairly unused. I instantly realized this was the room I was looking for.

Beyond the Song City showcase, we also host a monthly songwriting community called The Open Floor which began simply as a monthly open mic. We have a “Song Challenge” at each month’s Open Floor that has become the major draw for each of these evenings. On the first day of each month, I post a phrase. The writers then have the rest of the month to write a song using that phrase, and perform it at The Open Floor, on the fourth Tuesday of each month. It is in no way a competition for us. It’s purely a motivational tool to keep us consistently writing. The second half of each Open Floor is a time for everyone that wrote for the challenge to play their song for each other. It’s amazing to see how many ways a phrase can be used. I often write a song myself for the challenge, and it’s significantly improved my songwriting.

Song City at the RUCK in Troy, New York | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

As a producer, I can attest to the challenge of producing music shows where folks get paid and there’s a little change left at the end of the night. How have you structured the business side to pull all that off?

Most local artists can not afford management. And because of this, they deal with being double-booked, underpaid, cancelled last minute, and under-publicized. They deserve to be taken care of. Because of this, going into Season 2, I raised the ticket price by 50%, so that I could raise their pay by the same percentage. Additionally, We also where able to help support the program via grant funding we secured through The Arts Center of the Capital Region. The events are highly publicized, given a generous bar tab, a comp ticket, and one of the nicest green rooms in the 518. We also hire the best music photographer in the capital district, Kiki Vassilakis, to shoot each showcase, of which the artists are given all of these photos to use for their own use. As much as I would love to make my living serving the local music community, we currently are at a place where we can pay all involved, artists, audio engineer, and photographer.

Song City at the RUCK in Troy, New York 09.12.23 | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

I believe you were the recipient of the NYSCA Re-grant program through the Arts Center of the Capital Region. Can you share a little but about why you feel like programs such as this are important to the sustainability of our creative community?

The days of musicians making money through their recorded music are over. As much as music streaming has increased the general public’s ability to have access to more music than anytime in history, it has also stripped away the musicians’ ability to make a living off their recorded music. Spotify currently pays artists approximately $0.003 per stream on average. That means for every 1000 plays on Spotify, an artist will make approximately $4.00. And from 2024 onwards, artists will also need to hit a minimum number of listeners to make their track eligible for royalty payments. Therefore, if artists are truly going to make money through their art, they need to be performing shows often and being paid well. They also need to be selling merch and physical copies of their music. So there is a greater need than ever for the public to support the local artists, beyond streaming their music.

Song City’s Ink Retreat 2023 at YMCA’s Silver Bay | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

The final piece of the current Song City universe is a yearly songwriting retreat called Ink. Last year, we were honored to be awarded a $5000 Community Arts Grant through the NYSCA and The Art Center of the Capital Region which helped fund the program. Many songwriters applied and 10 were chosen, to spend 3 nights at a lodge on Lake George, part of the YMCA Silver Bay property. Like Song City, we encouraged writers of all genres to apply, R & B, indie-pop, alt-rock, folk, hip hop etc. The days were a combination of individual writing, collaborations, daily walks, amazing food, and nightly gatherings around the fireplace sharing our songs. We read and discussed Rick Rubin’s brilliant book “The Creative Act” and used some of his techniques to change how we normally write. We also had a small demo studio and engineer in-house to capture the new songs. And ultimately concluded with a showcase here in Troy, featuring the songs written on the retreat, as well as a live recording and film of that show.

Anything you have coming up you would like to share with our audience to keep them in the loop? Long term plans etc?

The next few months are busy at Song City. We have 3 showcases left in Season 2, with the next one happening on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30pm, hosted by The Ruck in Troy. This month we are featuring jazz saxophonist Awan Rashad, TJ Foster, frontman for the local rock band E.R.I.E., alt-pop artist, John Glenn from LiketheAstronaut, and contemporary folk songwriter Kate McDonnell. The Open Floor songwriting community continues to meet every 4th Tuesday. We are beginning to plan 2024’s Ink Retreat, and we are getting ready to release a special recording of the showcase we did this last year, featuring live performances of the artists and songs written on 2023’s retreat!

Watch for all of this on songcitytroy.com and Instagram at @songcitytroy. If you would like more information, would like to be involved, or would be interested in supporting Song City, you can reach me directly at songcitytroy (@) gmail.com.