A Summer Music Mix With Aimee Mann and Superchunk

July 2, 2018 by Ray Fontaine

Aimee Mann _Jonathan Coulton_-photo by Ray Fontaine

Aimee Mann and Jonathan Coulton/photo by Ray Fontaine

Superchunk Celebrates Brooklyn / photo by Ray Fontaine

Celebrate Brooklyn! welcomed an eclectic group of musicians to the Prospect Park Bandshell stage on Thursday, June 21st, opening the evening long before sunset with Brooklyn native Jonathan Coulton. A giant LED marquee displayed his name from behind while he sang youthful silly songs such as “Mr. Fancy Pants,” that he masterfully mashed up with Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” and the Nintendo 64 Mario Cart theme song. This quirky singer song-writer seemed to have little in common with the next act on stage, Superchunk.

The high-energy ’90s punk rock band hasn’t lost any steam over the past three decades. Lead singer Mac McCaughan jumped and kicked all over stage to the fast tempo of Jon Wurster’s drums, alongside Jim Wilbur on bass. Superchunk kicked off with songs of protest such as “Reagan Youth” and “What a Time to Be Alive.” McCaughan called to the crowd, “Let’s start this one off with a clap!” The whole audience clapped to the beginning of “This Summer,” led by McCaughan’s epic guitar solo. The sun set over the Bandshell to the band’s summery new song “Hello Hawk.”

Aimee Mann and Paul Bryan On Stage / photo by Ray Fontaine

Finally, Aimee Mann came to the stage, joined by bassist and producer Paul Bryan. She described her latest album, Mental Illness, to the audience as “sad and depressing.” She said, “I don’t mind if you take a nap, that’s the goal.” She kicked off with “Humpty Dumpty” from her Lost in Space album, and played other heavy-hitting acoustic songs, both old and new, including “Patient Zero” and “The Moth.”

Jonathan Coulton returned to the stage to play three songs he co-wrote on Mental Illness, which showed a very different side from his solo performance. Together, Coulton and Mann sang “Goose Snow Cone,” a song Mann told the audience was about winter, homesickness, and an Instagram cat she loves to follow. Surprisingly, it was one of the most upbeat songs of the set, with its cheery jingle bell percussion beat. Mann answered the call for “Encore!” with “One is the Loneliest Number” and “It’s Not Going to Stop,” finishing with one of the first songs she ever wrote: the classic “Voices Carry.”

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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