Nearly a full spectrum of musical varieties were available for eager ears this past weekend, July 23 and 24. From the rootsy music at Kellish Hill Farm in Manlius, to a lively Empire blues brunch, to the dark and loud Lost Horizon, the Syracuse spread brought out the bands this weekend.
Kellish Hill Farm was celebrating the first annual American Music Festival Thursday through Sunday. I made a visit on Saturday and caught a few acts including Diamond Sunday with Nick Piccininni. The traditional folk sound fit well on the Kellish Stage as they bounced along tunes.
Sunday’s blues brunch at Empire with Loren
Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb was a change of pace for the Los Blancos-dominated
time slot and the duo fit beautifully. They played with flying fingers through
recognizable tunes from Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash as well as
blues classics and originals. Though the two hail from different sides of the
world, they mesh well, fitting into each other’s melodic twists, turns and
nuances naturally. Every set of eyes, young and old, at the restaurant quickly
moved from their heaping plates of food to the nimble fingers and remained
their entranced as long as the music was playing. Barrigar and Mazengarb will
be at Empire for the following two weeks of brunches as well.
On the other side of the musical spectrum
came Just a Memory, an energetic rock band, much in the same vein as the alt
rock group Yellowcard, with forceful melodies and demanding vocals. Bassist,
Rob Fehrman swung his axe around his body and violinist Leila Dean sawed her
white electric violin and pushed out powerful backing vocals. The set was
exhausting to watch, but doubtlessly more so for the musicians in the heat of
the venue. Regardless, they pushed through the quick set, delivering the clean,
driven sound they’re known for.
