WEXT Podcast

This month, the Swamp Lily Charity Hour supports and celebrates WEXT for its efforts with the Local 518 scene.

Peter Lesser, known for his work at The Egg and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, has written his first book. It's out on February 10th. We talk all about that transition from venue manager and promoter to author. And Peter tells us few of the stories that make McCabe's a special place.

What happens when a cast member intentionally gets drunk, and then the cast puts on a Shakespeare play? Madness ensues! Check out Sh*t-Faced Shakespeare at UPH in Saratoga on January 30.

Ari Hest will be at Caffe Lena on January 23. Hear about his career than spans a couple decades, and his latest projects.

Come join us with our friends at Indie Whims!

Join Will Gordon and a bunch of other super cool musicians for Volume 3 of the Beats & Eats series at Unihog on January 3, 2026.

Join us for a special night dedicated to a great cause.

Saratoga Local 518 band Tops of Trees release their full length album, "Do Something."

The Bluebillies celebrate the release of a new single and their holiday show at The Strand on December 13th.

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is coming to Proctors Eighth Step for their holiday show on Saturday, December 6th.

We know Carolyn Shapiro for her amazing banjo playing, her songs and wonderful voice. But her day job has been very stressful of late. She works at Comfort Food Community in Greenwich. They're out on the front lines of the current issue of food insecurity, helping people in Washington county to stay as well-fed as possible.

Dave Maswick & Joel Brown give us a very special album filled with their interpretations of The Beatles on "Cover Soul." Their Beatle Caffe show (both early and late) is sold out, but you can still watch on Caffe Lena TV.

Ruth Theodore's album "Cactacus" celebrates is 9th anniversary. Ruth spoke with me about the album, and where she was when she made it.

Cosby Gibson's record has been recognized and is in contention for a Grammy.

Check out the story behind Sherlock Holmes coming to American radio in 1930 in this new, original play, at iTheatre Saratoga.

Tom Rush discusses his new album, "Gardens Old, Flowers New." We also talked about his special show at the Eighth Step on October 18 with Matt Nakoa.

The Fall 2025 concert is at The Strand in Hudson Falls on Friday, October 10th.

Collar City Pride Festival – October 4th at Hudson Shores Park

Taina Asili's "Fever Pitch Pilgrimage" – A Journey of Art and Activism - it begins September 13.

Learn all about the Adirondack Americana series at the Park Theater in the interview with director Chris Ristau.

Celebrating 25 years of Music Haven concerts in Schenectady's Central Park this summer with Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience on August 17th.

I spoke with Tammy Rogers of the SteelDrivers about the band's longevity, playing shows, writing songs, and more. See the band on their 20th anniversary tour at Music Haven on Sunday, August 10th.

Sydney Worthley is about to do her first headline show at Caffe Lena on July 31. We are still celebrating her album from 2024, "It Was Nice While It Lasted."

LA singer-songwriter, Chris Pierce is returning to Caffe Lena on August 3. I love a chance to talk with Chris. He's always so inspiring.

Listen up to a conversation with the Interpreter, and then see Amelia Ray and Buggy Jive at Mojo's in Troy on August 9th.

For 35 years, Mona Golub has been creating a summer experience second to none. The magic that is Music Haven begins on July 13 in Schenectady's Central Park.

Sunny War is coming back to Caffe Lena on July 10, 2025. Ahead of that, she spoke with Chris Wienk about her new album, and more.

Local 518 Marty Wendell has been making music for decades. Even at 80, he's still rockin'! New album is out, and it's called "Telecaster Cowboy." Hear all about it in this interview.

Deb Vincent of the Capital Pride board talked with me about this year's festivities. A lot going on.

Celebrate the 55th anniversary of the seminal album "Deja Vu" from CSNY with Matt Plummer and some other great Local 518 musicians who are coming together to highlight this amazing album.

For the 4th year, Caffe Lena brings back their annual Sing in the Streets festival. It's a celebration of their founder, Lena Spencer's birth - and their 65th anniversary.

Amy Ryan Band has just released their second album, "Brighter & Brighter," and it is already storming up the blues and roots music charts - and getting played around the world! We are so lucky to have great Local 518 musicians like these folks.

The Cooper's Cave Composers Consortium's next concert is set for 3pm on Mother's Day, May 11 at The Strand in Hudson Falls.

Since 2012, the Caroga Lake Music Festival has attracted artists and concert-goers in the southern Adirondacks each summer. Held at Sherman's Park, known for the iconic big bands of the 1920's and 1930's, Caroga Lake Music Festival brings a wide variety of music styles and artists together through the summer months.

Just in time for Bandcamp Friday, Drank the Gold release new songs. May 11, see them at Caffe Lena.

Joss Stone is coming to town with Melissa Etheridge. The two will play at The Palace on April 29th.

Laurie MacAllister has been a part of Red Molly for better than two decades. She's not really made a go on her own in a long time. But the time has come for her to do just that - and she's coming to Caffe Lena on April 25.

The Local 518 band Wild Adriatic is back! Their first new album since before the pandemic. We've been celebrating Wild Adriatic Week, and as part of that Mateo sat with Chris Wienk to chat about what the band has been up to.

Caity Gallagher is opening the "In the Round" show with Eric Bibb at UPH on April 18 (this Friday!). She sat with Laura to talk about music.

F. Lee Harvey and Bowtie Blotto stopped by to share some memories and talk up the documentary all about the Local 518 band that is being screened at The Cohoes Music Hall on Saturday, April 12.

See Mark & Jill at Caffe Lena on March 29th!

Celebrate Women's History Month at the Madison Theatre on March 30 with Girls Need Love 2. Hear the podcast episode with Gracie Lineham and DJ Hollyw8d.

Liam Purcell is headed to Caffe Lena on March 15.

March 26th, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will crash into Troy at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall for a rousing night of their swing revival. I got to talk with Kurt from the band about drums, Peter Criss, and more.

Meet the identical twin teens from Scotland. The Elidas is a folk duo that we discovered while wandering around on social media.

March 22 at the Cohoes Music Hall, the music of Simon & Garfunkel performed by some of our greats in the Local 518.

Karan Casey is coming to play at the Irish American Heritage Museum on March 2.

Hot Club of Saratoga are back with a new record for 2025. It's called "Comes Love," and it's out on February 21.

Ria Curley's approach to life is summarized very well in the title track of her latest EP, Help Is On The Way. The title song originated in 2020, “I wanted to write a song of hope. Not really knowing where the help was going to come from, that's on the way, but just sort of having faith that we as fellow human beings would overcome”.

The AP Live Youth Music Showcase is in search of artists to perform. Wolfgang and Louie dropped by to explain all about AP Live and this showcase on March 1.