Author: Simon

Two-plus decades in the music industry as a program director, host, influencer, voice-over artist, and artist manager. Passionate about introducing music fans to talented artists. Avid sports card collector. Pizza lover. Microbrew connoisssoir.
Mazzstock 2026 Announces Lineup for August Festival
Events, Features

Mazzstock 2026 Announces Lineup for August Festival

The first wave of the Mazzstock 2026 lineup has officially arrived, and it's shaping up to be another memorable weekend for live music fans in the Hudson Valley. As announced live on WKZE, the annual festival returns to Mazzstock Field in Marlboro, New York, on August 21–22, bringing together an eclectic mix of rock, jam, blues, funk, and Americana in one of the region's most welcoming festival settings. Artist Announcement This year's lineup is headlined by Black Star Ensemble (A Radiohead Experience), offering fans a fresh interpretation of Radiohead's iconic catalog. Joining them are several standout regional acts, including The Mazzstock All Star Band, Alpha Male Gorillas, Dylan Doyle Band, Jason Gisser Band, CFR, and Hollywood Herb. Festival organizers have indicated that thi...
MendoWerks Goes Live on WKZE 98.1 for Bob Weir Tribute Broadcast
Features, Music

MendoWerks Goes Live on WKZE 98.1 for Bob Weir Tribute Broadcast

The MendoWerks team joined WKZE 98.1 for a live on-air tribute honoring the life and musical legacy of Bob Weir, airing over multiple segments as part of the station’s memorial programming. The broadcast featured John Barry and Andrew Eisner of MendoWerks, hosted by WKZE co-owner Andy Gladding. Together, the group explored Weir’s influence on American music, live performance culture, and generations of listeners, blending conversation with curated selections spanning the Grateful Dead catalog and related artists. Exploring Bob Weir’s Influence During the broadcast, Barry discussed MendoWerks’ recent deep dive into cover songs, specifically reinterpretations that radically depart from their originals, highlighting how the Grateful Dead’s open-ended approach to music continues to in...
Lawrence Fall Tour Details—Revisit Their MendoWerks Interview
Features, Interviews

Lawrence Fall Tour Details—Revisit Their MendoWerks Interview

After wrapping a string of high-energy shows supporting Lake Street Dive, Lawrence is ready to reclaim center stage. The soulful sibling-led collective is hitting the road this fall for a full headlining run in support of their breakout album Family Business, released last summer on Jon Bellion’s Beautiful Minds label. Beautiful Mind Records Known for their explosive live performances and tight eight-piece band, Lawrence has built a reputation for turning every show into a communal celebration. With Family Business—an album full of infectious hooks, emotional harmonies, and horn-driven grooves—the group continues to prove why they’re one of the most exciting live acts in modern pop-soul. Fall Tour The upcoming Family Business Tour kicks off on October 8 in Providence, RI, and w...
Will Bonnaroo Return To Its Former Glory In 2026?
Events, Features

Will Bonnaroo Return To Its Former Glory In 2026?

The iconic Bonnaroo has had its share of challenges in recent years. The question is, after a weather-related cancellation this year, will the modifications they put in place be enough to turn the ship around? We'll cover some of the changes and why we're optimistic about the future of the festival. Bonnaroo 2024 - Credit Taylor Regulski Bonnaroo has always been more than just a music festival—it’s a rite of passage. Since its launch in 2002, when a sprawling Tennessee farm became a temporary utopia of jam bands, late-night grooves, and camping camaraderie, “the Roo” has carved out its own identity in the crowded American festival landscape. Where other events feel like a weekend getaway, Bonnaroo feels like a world you live in, with 24/7 stages, comedy clubs, cinema tents, and stra...
Biffy Clyro Is Underrated, ‘Futique’ Could Change That
Features, Music

Biffy Clyro Is Underrated, ‘Futique’ Could Change That

Biffy Clyro | Photo Credit: Eve Pentel It's almost criminal that Biffy Clyro aren't already one of the biggest bands on the planet. In the UK and Europe, this Scottish trio is rock royalty, headlining Reading and Leeds, packing arenas, and commanding festivals with the kind of confidence that comes from doing this at the highest level for more than 20 years. In the U.S., however, they're often still treated like a cult favorite. That needs to change, and their new album Futique, due out September 19th, will give everyone a chance to catch up. The Futique era is already hitting like a tidal wave, with the first single “A Little Love” climbing fast. The second track, “Hunting Season” is turning heads, and their summer has seen the band picking up momentum: Glastonbury, Big Weekend set...
Progressive Rock Veterans ‘3’ Return for Special Hometown Performance
Features, Music

Progressive Rock Veterans ‘3’ Return for Special Hometown Performance

Joey Eppard of '3' - Photo credit: Neil Segal Kingston’s own progressive rock band '3' will reunite for a special hometown performance at Keegan Ales on Saturday, August 23rd at 7 p.m. Formed in the early 1990s, the band quickly rose from local stages to international recognition, earning a spot on the main stage at Woodstock ’94 before signing record deals with Universal, Planet Noise, and Metal Blade Records. Over the years, 'the band '3' built a reputation as a must-see live act, touring across the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Japan while sharing stages with acts as varied as Dream Theater, Opeth, Coheed and Cambria, Porcupine Tree, Heart, and Scorpions. A New Beginning... Known for their uncompromising musicianship and fiercely loyal fanbase, the talented outfit last toured...
Of Monsters and Men Return with ‘Ordinary People’ After Years of Silence
Features, Music

Of Monsters and Men Return with ‘Ordinary People’ After Years of Silence

Of Monsters and Men have officially returned, breaking a years-long silence with the release of their new single, “Ordinary Creature.” It’s a gentle, introspective track shaped by late-night studio sessions in Iceland, where the band recorded and produced it themselves. The result is a dreamy meditation on healing, presence, and rediscovery—delivering the kind of emotional nuance fans have come to expect from the Icelandic indie-folk mainstays. “Ordinary Creature is about the feeling of yearning for that someone that brings you comfort,” the band shared. “It’s about when you start feeling better after a period of not feeling so great—that moment when you start coming back to yourself again.” Music Video The song arrives with a cinematic music video directed by Erlendur Sveinsson. ...