Local independent radio station 97.7 WEXT, always looking for listener input, has put a call out there to all those with a radio and/or internet access to compile the best music of 2010, including the best music this area code has to offer.

In order to help the opinion-challenged or those that couldn't remember all the great local acts, WEXT has released their "Staff Picks," listed below:

Rich Ortiz
Charlie Watts Riots
Sean Rowe
Super 400
Kitty Little
The Figgs
Holly and Evan
Ashley Pond Band
Sgt Dunbar
Chris Carey
Phantogram

It's a solid list, representing a wide variety of tastes, from the acoustic bluegrass of Holly and Evan to the ethereal electro-indie of local-gone-national Phantogram.

Some of the Local 518 favorites also made other best of 2010 categories, such as The Figgs with their track "...And Here's Some More," chosen as one of the best songs by Chris Wienk, and their album getting a nod as well. Local artists Rob Skane, Scientific Maps and Charlie Watts Riots were also listed as favorites in some categories.

Although they're not local, I was glad to see These United States, Patty Griffin and Delta Spirit also get some recognition.

Do you agree with their picks? Who do you think is missing? Sound off in the comments below, and then submit your own favorites at WEXT's website.

December 3 -

We’re offering up a double dose of free music for our lovely readers this Friday. Consider it an early Christmas present, an on-time Hanukkah present and a sign of more free music to come.

First up is free music via Matthew Loiacono, musically-known as Matthew Carefully, who recently updated the free music section of the Collar City Records website. New are some tracks of “soulful lamentations” from Ike Snopes, and you can fill out your music library with other offerings from the Collar City musicians if you haven’t already. If you’re short on megabytes, we recommend “Community Balloon” and “Penny Riddle” from Matthew Carefully as well as the “We Are Giants Now” EP from Ben Karis-Nix.

The second item isn’t actually from a local band, but it does come via my favorite radio station for local music, 97.7 WEXT. This independent, listener-funded radio station is the only one that commits to playing local music every hour and has great programs like the Local 518.

Check out their Facebook post, offering up a free download of the G Love track “Fixin’ to Die”, produced by the alt-folk Avett Brothers.

Are you an area musician will free music in need of some ears? Drop us a line at therecordbeat@gmail.com.

Alta Mira at RestFest (via their Facebook page)

December 1 -


Alta Mira, everyone’s favorite prog-post-indie-with-a-side-of-impressive-vocals rock band, has joined in on the Kickstarter craze that Sgt. Dunbar started earlier this year when they raised money to get to SXSW (the band was included in a write-up by the New York Times for their efforts).
In an attempt to finish recording their next album, the band is hoping to raise $5,000 in the next 60 days using Kickstarter, a website in which potential-donors pledge money in exchange for incentives. If the goal isn’t reached in the time frame, donors keep their money.
According to their Kickstarter page, the band feels strongly that “these are the best songs we have ever written and we’re eager to share them with the rest of the world.” That’s pretty promising, given the great material they’ve put out in the past.
For a $10 pledge, donors will get a digital copy of the album, while those willing to fork over $500 will get a grab-bag of incentives, including a private show and a custom jingle.
For more information and to watch the video explaining their project, visit the Kickstarter page.
You can also catch Alta Mira opening for Ra Ra Riot at Jillian’s Monday, Dec. 6. Admission is only $5 and it’s all ages.

December 1 -

The B3nson Recording Company, which over the past few years has amassed a cast of talented and facial-haired characters too numerous to list here, hosted it’s 3rd Annual Family Funsgiving in November. Not only did they give a considerable amount of canned goods to a local food pantry, but the Funsgiving keeps on giving in the form of free music with the 3rd Annual Family Funsgiving Compilation.

The compilation, featuring 16 tracks from B3nson bands, friends and hypothetical bands, is available for download on their BandCamp. You can download individual tracks or the entire album for the low price of an e-mail address.

There’s a nice combination of genres, all with the quirky B3nson twinge. In particular, I enjoyed tracks from Scientific Maps, Wesley Rose, Pinguinos, Slender Shoulders and the release-an-album-already supergroup Que Caro.

B3nson’s website appears to be down, so for now check them out on Facebook, and grab the album at BandCamp.

November 30 -

Sean Rowe, Troy’s own soul-tinged singer/songwriter/wilderness man, recently signed with Anti- after a founding stint with Collar City Records. His latest album “Magic” made waves last year, and it will be released again by Anti-, available 2/22 (three cheers for alliteration dates!). Before that, his song “The Walker” is available on the Anti- 2010 Fall Sampler, available for free with the purchase of one of nine $10 albums.

@sean_rowe

Hey guys, It's an honour to have one of my songs "The Walker" on Anti's Fall sampler. My first release on Anti!… http://fb.me/CyuaN1an

November 30, 2010 5:48 pm via FacebookRetweetReply

Rowe, who started out playing in bands, has been a solo musician since the late 90s and has self-released one solo album prior to “Magic.” Now, he joins of the ranks of local bands like Phantogram that have found a national audience — and distribution.

Details about the sale/sampler are on the Anti- blog. For more information about Sean, check out his website at www.seanrowe.net.

Pony in the Pancake plays at the Old Glory on Broadway 2nd Annual 

Block Party. (photo by Mike McMahon / The Record)

November 30 -


Catchy planet-rock band Pony in the Pancake have made their way to a number of venues in the Capital District and even made the best of rainy weather at the 2nd Annual Old Glory on Broadway Block Party earlier this year. You may have also seen them at P4s or Holmes and Watson, and now you can catch them this Friday, Dec. 4 at Valentine’s with home-electronics-supporters Intelligent Television and The Landlines.
Intelligent Television is one of those bands whose name I’ve heard over and over again but have yet to make it out to a show. While I haven’t heard The Landlines yet, when you start throwing around the term “traditional American roots music” I’m pretty much sold.
Also, PIP is one of the few bands that specializes in Facebook event page wall poetry.
All three bands are on Facebook:
Pony in the Pancake
Intelligent Television
The Landlines
If you’re going, you can represent at the event’s Facebook page.

November 26 -

With so many venues in the Capital District disappearing (RIP Rev Hall), it’s great to see a great event like this for an awesome venue:

@WEXT
WEXT Exit 97.7

Siobhan Quinn & Michael Bowers Present “Be Thankful for Caffe Lena." SATURDAY, 11/27, 8pm. http://www.caffelena.org/

November 26, 2010 12:18 pm via FacebookRetweetReply