Articles and News

1-800-ON-HER-OWN is a cinematic musical road trip through the life of feminist singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco, founder of the first “woman-run non corporate queer-happy” record label Righteous Babe Records. Throughout the ride from her punk-folk past to her life today as activist, rock star and mother, she’s brutally honest, famously foul-mouthed and totally hilarious. Her daily challenges resonate as we reveal both an enduring, inspiring musical icon and a very relatable contemporary “everywoman” with her own epic fails and hard-won victories.

Coming to the Orpheum theater in Saugerties on Dec 30. The only NY showing this month.

More info and buy tickets.

I started HVmusic over 20 years ago to help promote the talented musicians in the Hudson Valley. Now I am trying to do the same for our amazing local artists and craftspeople. If you know some great artists and craft makers in the Hudson Valley region who could use some extra publicity, ask them to join HVcrafts.com. Just like HVmusic, HVcrafts is free to join and use.

Thanks for helping to spread the word about The Art and Crafts of the Hudson Valley.

Hi All, You may have noticed a new section on the homepage for NYS music news. I have collaborated with NYSmusic.com to bring you this informative new section. They have a team of writers who report what is happening around the state. It's been live for a couple of months and I hope it's been useful to you all. You can see more of their news using the "News" link at the top of this page. Enjoy.

By the way, NYSmusic.com is aloso posting the HVmusic calendar on their site. Se we get even more exposure for your events.

by Mike Mindel. This article was originally published on HVmusic around the year 2000.

Don't read this article-- hot licks and a bad attitude is all you need.

If You Think You Can, You Can

If you haven't figured it out yet from my last few articles, I'm a big fan of thinking positive. What does this mean? Ironically, it is easier to tell you what it doesn't mean.

Being a positive thinker doesn't mean when something bad happens you're not bothered by it. It does mean a positive thinker won't dwell on the negative for very long, but will focus their energies on solving a problem and looking for the good that may co me out of it; without prolonging the disabling effect of the negative emotions. The negative thinker tends to over-dramatize the situation and spends too much valuable emotional energy dwelling on the problem instead of the solution.

by Mike Mindel. This article was originally published on HVmusic around the year 2000.

Over the years, I have been a sideman in bands that were auditioning players and have been a leader in bands auditioning players. One event a few years ago gave me a unique vantage point. I was able to hear someone audition for a position in a band and at the same time was 100% aware of exactly what the position required and didn't require. The reason I had this unique perspective was that the musicians were auditioning for my position! One I have held for many years. Observing this process was a great learning experience. I was able to see how other guy's approach a band audition, both in attitude and musicality. It was also reassuring as a player to see how I stood up against other players, in the same setting. Here are some of the things I learned.

by Mike Mindel. This article was originally published on HVmusic around the year 2000.

In a previous article — "B.S.ing Techniques to Get Through a Gig" — we talked about tricks to get you through a sub gig or jam. This month we'll talk about something you can't B.S. — yourself. B.S.ing your way through life will work about as long as trying to B.S. your way through a regular stint in a band. Sooner or later it will catch up with you, everybody will know it, and the reality you tried to postpone will hit you in the face. So this month we get mental. I'll share with you some mindsets and perspectives to guide you down the trails, on the trip of your musical pursuits.