Upstate (Photo by Jennifer Elrod)
Upstate is a unique collective from Hudseon Valley, New York, with three female vocalists and guitarists — Melanie Glenn, Mary Kenney, and Allison Olender. On Feb. 8, Upstate will publish Healing, the band’s sophomore album, but first they will open for The Lil Smokies at Union Stage on Friday, Jan. 25.
Joining Melanie, Mary, and Allision are bassist Harry D’Agostino, mandolinist Ryan Chappell, and percussionist Dean Mahoney. The band’s self-titled debut showcased an adventurous blend of folk, R&B, jazz, gospel, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Upstate’s new album reveals a shortening of the band’s name from its previous “Upstate Rubdown.” It’s was produced by The Wood Brothers percussionist Jano Rix, and it’s full of beautiful harmonies and eclectic arrangements.
In a preview for Parade magazine, Laura B. Whitmore introduced Upstate’s song “Marietta,” saying, “With a light-hearted approach to a breakup song, Upstate exuberantly delivers this high-spirited musical treat. The accompanying video enhances the good-natured, tongue-in-cheek nature of the song.”
Watch the official music video for “Marietta” by Upstate on YouTube:
In a review for Atwood Magazine, Mitch Mosk praised Upstate’s memorable and accessible music.
“With a warm soul-tinged folk core, strong pop sensibilities, and a taste for gorgeous harmony, Upstate are all too easy to fall in love with. Blending folk, R&B, gospel, rock, and jazz influences into an alluring but often hard-to-categorize sonic identity, the band has garnered respectable comparisons to early Lake Street Dive and Phox – acts who, like Upstate, broke genre molds without missing a beat (literally),” Mitch wrote.
Go to the show early for Upstate as they open The Lil Smokies!
Upstate
Opening The Lil Smokies
Union Stage
Friday, Jan. 25
Doors @ 7pm
$17
All ages