WHO IS BUGGY JIVE?
Soul rock singer-songwriter Buggy Jive has always made music while in hiding, quietly uploading songs and music videos from a basement studio somewhere in Upstate New York. Equal parts Zeppelin and D’Angelo and Prince and Joni in sound and sensibility, his lyrics often mine the literature of the past to make sense of the present – from Ellison to Morrison to Eliot to Didion. Even before his pandemic-era music video and reclusive rallying cry “Ain’t Going Anywhere” went viral, the only way to see him perform live was the occasional house concert streamed live from his basement studio.
But after a big 2023, Mr. Jive may be ready to come out of the hole. So what made the year so special?
It started with a Tiny Desk Contest shoutout from NPR’s Bob Boilen and Bobby Carter for the featured “Top Shelf” entry, “Don’t Quit Your Day Job”; then Album of the Year and Best Music Video wins at the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards; a well-received opening slot for Macy Gray’s “Reset” tour kickoff in Troy, NY; a commissioned song and performance for “Kaleidescape” in celebration of the glorious sonics of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall; and an evening sharing songs in tribute to Buggy’s beloved Joni Mitchell at historic Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs.
It’s a lot for an artist who, until now, has been notoriously reclusive. But it seems like Buggy finally got the bug to do more in 2024. Stay tuned.
RECENT LIVE PERFORMANCES (EXCERPTS)
RECENT PRESS
Buggy Jive thrives in opening slot for Macy Gray’s “Reset” tour. Nippertown. Sep. 2023.
Musically… local songwriter Buggy Jive stole the night with his originals that captivated us with his thoughtful lyrics and complex, layered sounds.
Niskayuna native Buggy Jive receives well-deserved accolades from NPR and the Eddie Awards. Daily Gazette. April 2023.
“I’m singing about my reality, so those are things I wrestle with all the time,” he said of his musical forays into socially conscious messages. “It’s almost like there’s an obligation not to ignore tough issues and also an obligation to acknowledge that issues are complicated. It’s not always cut and dry or black and white. I do play with those themes.”
Bob Boilen, NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest “Top Shelf” Features. April 2023.
“I picked this not only because he’s a talented human being but also because there’s lots of references to [Tiny Desk Contest]. Maybe this is the year you might want to quit your day job. I dearly love this.” – Bob Boilen, NPR.
LATEST RELEASE: THE GHOST OF ALEXANDER
The Ghost of Alexander won the Album of Year award at the 2023 Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards; the video for the lead single, “Encyclopedia Black and the Case of You,” won the award for Best Music Video.
Listen below or follow the link to find The Ghost of Alexander on your favorite streaming music service.