315 Local Spotlight: Fritz’s Polka Band

Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words, “polka band?” Well, you’re wrong. Fritz’s Polka Band is a Central New York staple that turns that term on its head. Yes, they kind of look like your typical polka band but with their tie-dyed shirts and what they perform on […]

Local Music Friday: Anthony “Zee” Donaldson

If you are even a passing fan of live music in Central New York, chances are you’ve encountered Anthony “Zee” Donaldson. Donaldson has been a fixture on the area’s music scene for over 20 years in just about every capacity one can be involved in the music industry. Donaldson is the host of EC Radio, […]

Local Music Friday: Big Blue North Recording Studio

This week’s Local Music spotlight changes lanes, focusing not on the local musicians but the people behind the scenes who make the local and national musicians sound great. This week, we feature Big Blue North Recording Studio in Utica. Big Blue North’s origin story begins as a church in Utica’s south end. The South Church […]

Local Music Friday: Just Joe

Many may know Joe Altier as one of the co-hosts of The Show, the morning drive time show on 94.9 KROCK in Central New York. Others may know Altier as the guy who delivers Love-o-Grams to unsuspecting recipients. Still others may know him as the frontman for the hard rock/metal bands Brand New Sin and […]

Local Music Friday: Cait Devin

At the age of 19, Cait Devin is already a seasoned local scene veteran. She began playing in coffee houses and smaller venues at 16 and has collaborated with many of Central New York’s highest-profile musicians. Now seen as a peer to those on the local scene, Devin stretches her wings further on Friday, July […]

Local Music Friday: J. Schnitt

315 Music introduces a new series focusing on the music available in Central New York and surrounding areas. We’re calling this Local Music Friday and will be featuring a different artist each week. Kicking off the series is Utica-based singer-songwriter J. Schnitt. This highly prolific musician wears his heart on his sleeve — he has […]

Into the Night – A Farewell to My Friend Benny Mardones

I first met Benny Mardones at a show in Rome at the Capitol Theatre in 2010. I was star struck to say the very least. I grew up singing his music and watching him on American Bandstand. Never in a million years would I ever have told my 16 year old self that I would […]

When the Stage Goes Dark

Guest Editorial by Diana Ladio – The Moxie Strings/Drriift Editor’s note: Diana Ladio is a member of the duo The Moxie Strings. While now based in Nashville, the Moxie Strings have a strong connection to Central New York, having performed at the Great American Irish Festival in Frankfort, the Syracuse Irish Festival and conducting several […]