music

LIVING ONLINE Series: Maria Brink, of In This Moment

July 14, 2021 By Corey Aldrich

I met up with rock star and friend Maria Brink this week to talk about the current status of the music industry and what it has been like to be in nationally touring, Grammy-nominated band over the last year. Not going to lie, as a hairband 80’s metal head, this one hit close to my head banging heart!

So excited to be chatting with you Maria! You’re such an inspiration and force of nature. Can you tell us a little bit about you and your band?

We have been a band now almost 15 years. So, its been a while! We started in California. I moved in 2000 with my son Davion (Brink), he was a little boy then. We had big dreams. It took about 5 years to get a band going and to finally find In This Moment. We definitely have grown over all these years, its been a big journey. We are now 7 albums in. Our last album was nominated for a Grammy for the song The In Between, which was one of the most rewarding experiences that we have had so far.

Since then we have toured the world and have been blessed to be able to play and collaborate with bands that we grew up listening to and loving including Ozzy Osbourne, Disturbed, 5 Finger Death Punch and Korn. We have played festivals with Metallica and I have done a song collaboration with Rob Halford of Judas Priest. We do a lot of touring. The beautiful thing has been to travel the world with my son. That is something that really shaped him and filled him with so much culture that has helped him to become who he is today.

Can you talk a little about your pre-Covid tour schedule? What was it like living a day in the life of a legit rock star?

A lot of work honestly! I am a big part of the creative force behind In This Moment. Not just the song writing and singing but also I conceptualize and direct the stage shows, the choreography and movement. I direct the music videos and even manage the social media. I am very hands on. It’s my baby and its my work. I do have many talented people who I work with around me to help take these things to the next level.

Honestly, when you get to a certain level you have to work with other people. Collaboration is great. We have an amazing crew, many who have been with us over 10 years. It’s a lot of work but when you get that 1.5 hours on stage, that’s the reward. Things go slow motion, you are in your passion. Where you realize that this is what I am meant to do. That’s the big reward.

You do need to balance that out though, to have a fulfilling life. Always balance to stay healthy.

How did Covid affect your band and touring crew?

It hit everyone hard, the whole world so hard. We were leaving for a 2.5 month tour the week of the lock down. Everyone was in shock. We took a dramatic financial hit. The crew was really affected. We all came to a halt. It was killing me to not be able to work and make money. I am a person who likes to create and hustle. I also am aware of how much the crew relies on us to make money, they rely on the business to get the hours in. And, I have such gratitude, excitement and hope that the world is opening back up and that we will be back on the road in September.

How did you keep your creative vision alive and focused during the lockdown?

In the beginning it was a lot harder. We all thought we were going to die. Is this the Walking Dead? The Apocalypse?! Ha ha! I didn’t know what was going on. I was glued to the t.v., which I normally don’t absorb myself in to the degree like I did in the early days of Covid.

Eventually, I realized that I needed to get creative again. I started playing my piano and writing again. I started building my focus in entrepreneurial areas. Normally I don’t get to concentrate on all of these things for uninterrupted periods of time as I am rarely home and so busy. There was a lot of blessings that happened with me, empowering myself and learning new things.

What’s in store for you now that restrictions are lifted and bookings are happening again?

We are going back on tour with Black Belt Brides doing a co-headliner. The show will also include Dead and Raven Black. This is a 2 month tour that starts in September. We are definitely excited to be back out there again. To see our fans, to connect with everyone and feel that energy. I feel these will be some of the most powerful and high energy shows we have ever had in our life. We have been pulled away and locked in. The beauty of these shows…you can dance, you can scream and you can cry. People are able to let it out at these shows and I think its going to be heightened this time around.

I really appreciate the space you hold as a women in a male dominated genre. How has the experience been for you? Any recommendations for young women who are inspired to get in the music scene?

You know, I have had an empowering career as a women. When I started there was not as many women in the genre. For me it helped, maybe gave me an advantage. I think sometimes when you have something unexpected, people like that. There have been a few things here and there but I don’t feel I have been held back. When it comes to work ethic and art I feel like its about the emotion, what you are creating. It’s about moving a soul and making someone feel something. My advice for young women or men would be to embrace your creative individuality. What makes you different? Allow your art in whatever form to evoke emotion in you and your audience. That’s where the true magic lies and where people are able to be touched. That and a hard work ethic. Keep going, keep going, keep going.

Anything special you would like to plug that you are excited about?

I have been working with my son Davion for a while now on a business that he has been wanting to manifest and bring to life. I am so proud to say that he is opening a new space, Etrice Gallery, in downtown Albany NY. The idea has been in planning for about 3 years now. My son is a visionary. He lights up a room. He is unique and rare and special. It’s not just because I am his mother! I see it all the time. His ideas are infectious.

To see the hard work pay off and bloom is gratifying. He is not putting caps on what it can be. It’s a creative art space with no rules. We are excited to see what will happen and how it develops as the business grows. Your all invited to the grand opening! It’s exciting to be bringing this energy back into Albany. This is where I started my music / creative career. And now to see him starting in the same place…I am appreciative of life.

Have a blessed day!

Editor’s Note:

The Etrice Gallery opening will be on Thursday, July 15 from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. The event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Etrice Gallery
70 North Pearl Street
Albany, New York 12207

For more info on Davion Brink and the vision for the gallery see my interview HERE.

Follow In This Moment on Instagram, here.

5 CapNY Up-And-Coming Musical Artists You Need To Know About

February 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

There is no doubt that the talent we have in CapNY is filled to the brim. From Warren and Washington Counties, down to Columbia and Greene Counties, there’s no shortage of creative talent in any field or industry. When it comes to music, these five individuals are shining their bright lights across the region and beyond. Get to know them, listen to their music, follow them on social media, and let’s show our up-and-coming local musical artists some love.

L.Y.S., Rensselaer

Elyssa, or L.Y.S. for “Love Your Self,” is a super dope artist and person. She classifies herself as a “bedroom pop artist,” meaning she makes the type of music you listen to at home, by yourself when you’re in a reflective state. Her music venture started before the pandemic, and the isolation inspired her to build her own home studio, with audio and production capabilities. L.Y.S. has music out now, and will be releasing more on Soundcloud and other platforms throughout 2021.

IG / Soundcloud

Ohzhe, Albany

Ohzhe has performed on the majority of Upstate stages that I go to. I consider him a lyricist. He’s the definition of hip hop. He’s also a father. A true jack of all trades, he has his own home setup and does his own visuals through his company, Vault 7 Media. Ohzhe releases his music on Bandcamp, which is geared toward up-and-coming artists releasing music. You can also find him on 518 Mixtape, a musical collection of local artists, which is available on Bandcamp.

Amani O., aka Amani the Poet or Amani the Femcee, Troy

Performer Amani O. calls themself a “raptivist.” They’re a rapper and a poet, pushing a cultural revolution with or without a beat. They have a project out right now called “Raptivist Music & Rebel Poems” – out on all platforms. They’re also featured on 518 Mixtape.

IG / website & to listen…

Symone Noelle, Saratoga Springs

I consider Symone Noelle a blooming singer and songwriter. She has a soothing tone and song selection. Along with being a musician, she owns an architectural design business, @taylornoelledesign. She doesn’t have music out yet, but she does a whole bunch of covers on her Instagram and will be dropping music in 2021, along with an interview on Youtube with yours truly, DJ Hollyw8d.

IG / website

Gian Life, Albany

Gian Life is an instrumentalist, plays piano and guitar, a lyricist, can hop on a beat and start rapping which is super cool. He does it all. Along with musician, he’s a front line worker, working at a local hospital and believe it or not, is a great bread maker. Bread, as in dough, yes, bread maker. He has music dropping on all platforms in 2021, but in the meantime, you can listen to his music on Instagram – he goes live all the time.

IG / Soundcloud

Stay tuned for the launch of The Small Room Series, a monthly show in which CapNY musical artists from all genres will share their music and their stories, produced and hosted by DJ Hollyw8d.

By: DJ Hollyw8d

DJ Hollyw8d is an influencer who curates shows for independent artists and hosts a radio segment on WCDB 90.9 FM to highlight the arts, especially music. HollyW8D quickly learned that with being a DJ, it’s more than music; it’s a platform to move not only bodies but also the human spirit, to change the mood of an entire room, to share light with other artists and space with people who share a passion for music. Follow him on social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Website

#CapNYRedAlert: Sarah Craig, Caffe Lena

November 21, 2020 By Maureen Sager

Caffe Lena’s Sarah Craig, courtesy the Daily Gazette

Caffe Lena is widely recognized as the oldest continuously-operating folk-music venue in the United States. Over 60 years of operation in the heart of Saratoga Springs, its stage has hosted luminaries including Bob Dylan in 1961 and Sawyer Fredericks in 2014. We checked in with Executive Director Sarah Craig to find out how this gutsy little venue is faring during the Covid challenges, and were not surprised to find them bravely weathering these unprecendented ups and downs.

Hot Club of Saratoga, courtesy of Sarah Dobies

The Pivot From Mainly-Live to Totally-Online Performances

Right now, Caffe Lena is not a “live performance venue;” technically, we’re a “broadcast studio.” Therefore, we’re an essential business. We were able to qualify for that designation because we’ve been live streaming every performance for over six years now. So we went into the shutdown in a much different position than many performing arts venues. Even though we’re very small and very DIY, we had the infrastructure to be a virtual venue the day the shutdown started. That’s meant that we’ve been able to hang onto our staff, and have given work to dozens of regional artists by producing live shows on our stage almost every night since mid-March. Also, the launch of the Caffe Lena School of Music coincided with the start of the pandemic. We pivoted to virtual group lessons for kids and adults, and the school is growing and growing.

A live studio audience at Caffe Lena, courtesy Sarah Dobies

Has Caffe Lena had any attendees at these performances?

As a broadcast studio, we’re allowed to have a live studio audience. This is very different than having a show — there’s a very small, prescreened audience that arrives with their masks on, and they’re taken to their seats. They’re there to applaud and lend atmosphere to a performance. It’s been WONDERFUL for the performers to get that immediate feedback for their performance. But last week we decided to dial it back to essential-personnel-only in light of the Covid numbers creeping up. We’re all frustrated about having to pause–not just the music world, but all industries–but nobody wants to risk going through this again so we’re playing it super safe.

This is a tough question, but what is the financial picture like?

We have virtually no earned income right now. We have not sold a ticket since March 13. But the generosity of the public has been astounding. People have made it clear that they really want us to continue creating work for musicians, and keep the Caffe Lena legacy intact. Our only earned revenue is tuition from the Caffe Lena School of Music – it’s a mission project, to teach the next generation the culture of folk music.

Our live streams feature a prominent virtual tip jar. It really works, because everybody wants to keep the music alive! They’ve been generous with the tip jar, which we split evenly with the performer. Most times they cover our direct production costs, sometimes not. The tip jar isn’t enough to pay all the bills, but because of a couple of very successful fundraising endeavors we’re definitely hanging on and we have no plans to stop streaming live shows. In fact, we’re looking at ways to add even more programming.

How are you, the staff, the board and the performers faring through these challenges?

This is our 60^th anniversary year – what a great year for an anniversary!

For the venue’s first 57 or 58 years, it was an organization that just got by. Living close to the bone was a source of pride. It wasn’t until our board of directors said that this organization is incredibly vulnerable that we hatched a plan to stabilize finances and create an organization that could weather hard times. Thank heavens we turned things around before Covid hit!

But the bottom line is that we are all in this for the love of music and a deep commitment to serving the community in keeping with folk music values and traditions. We are fine living close to the bone again until this crisis passes, and there’s no sense that “we might not make it.” In fact, although we miss our audience and so many of our out-of-state bands with all our hearts, we’re mostly feeling blessed that we can still be a full-time music producer at a time when so much of the live music industry is shutdown.

As long as we can just keep putting on shows, we are satisfied.

For more on Caffe Lena, go to CaffeLena.org. Address: 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. (518) 583-0022.

New Video Highlights Albany Symphony & Creative Economy

November 3, 2017 By upstatecreative

[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_video_embed no_container=”false” type=”16:9″][/x_video_embed][cs_text]Check out this terrific video tour hosted by Albany Symphony’s David Alan Miller, created by the Capital Region Economic Development Council to celebrate and spotlight some fantastic projects around our region, including Creative Economy star Melissa auf der Maur of Basilica Hudson.

Interested in all of the CREDC’s priority projects? Find them here in the 2017 “Capital Region Creates” Progress Report.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]