Autumn in Brooklyn: A Musical Cornucopia

November 3, 2015 by David K. Moseder

Erykah Badu /photo courtesy of Wikipedia

After a great summer concert season filled with incredible outdoor music events, we need to remind ourselves that the party here in Brooklyn is just getting started. As autumn’s chill permeates the air, it’s good to know there are so many places where you can come in from the cold, order your favorite libation (may we suggest a seasonal hard cider?) and have a hot time listening to exciting live performances.

It almost seems as if there’s a top music event this season for every leaf that turns red, yellow or orange — so don’t wait for the Great Pumpkin, get pumped with great rock, soul, R&B, folk, jazz and country sounds at your favorite venue. And you won’t have to make a pilgrimage over the bridge to do so.

For starters, local acts such as Antibalas, Brown Rice Family and The Brooklyn Attractors helped usher in the fall season at Brooklyn Bowl — a season that includes They Might Be Giants and Matt & Kim at Music Hall of Williamsburg; Hamilton Leithauser (ex-Walkmen) is at Baby’s All Right); Three Pints Shy and Kenny Young & the Eggplants at The Way Station, and Slavic Soul Party at Barbès.

Of course, you can also find your favorite artists from beyond Brooklyn who come here to grace our borough’s many stages, such as Jethro Tull, Glen Hansard, Erykah Badu and Manheim Steamroller (all at the Kings Theatre this season), Jimmy Buffet and Huey Lewis (Barclays Center) and Texas legend Joe Ely (Hill Country), to name just a few.

220px-Jimmy_Buffett_1- courtesy Wikipedia

Jimmy Buffet / photo courtesy of Wikipedia

All of the above is just a small sampling – like the hors d’oeuvres or cheese-and-crackers before the turkey, stuffing and candied yams – of what’s waiting to be heard in Brooklyn this season. And we at Brooklyn Roads are thankful for such a musical bounty and grateful for the support of our readers.

Now, will someone please pass the pumpkin pie?

Artists on our Radar

Janet LaBelle Takes the Spotlight: Blending Vintage Vibes with Modern Magic

Janet Labelle With Guitar In Hand / photo by John Nyboer

Dynamic Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Janet LaBelle continues to push her creative boundaries. Known for her unique ability to fuse analog warmth with modern production, LaBelle has been praised by Jersey Beat for her “sweet voice and sharp, thoughtful songwriting,” and her newest projects are no exception. Her music defies easy categorization, effortlessly blending elements of folk, classic rock, and pop into a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. LaBelle recently released her single “Day in the Sun” on September 13 via her own Wild Violet Records, and it has already been captivating audiences with its sunny melodies and deeply personal narrative. The song, inspired by a meaningful hike with a friend in 2023, showcases her talent for finding beauty in simplicity, a theme that resonates through much of her work. The inclusion of horns marks an exciting creative evolution, adding a new layer of depth to her already richly textured sound. Throughout her career, LaBelle has explored a wide range of musical styles. She first made waves as a teenager in the punk-pop band Avery, and since then, her solo work has spanned genres like classic rock, folk, pop, and even French chanson. Her previous EPs, including Moon Songs (2010) and Blossom & Blue (2011), demonstrate her eclectic tastes, with influences ranging from surf rock to vintage country. Working with respected producers such as Evan Taylor (Bernie Worrell) and Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants), LaBelle continues to expand her sound, evolving with each new release. Fans can catch her live at upcoming performances, including a show at Our Wicked Lady on September 24th and at Sleepwalk on December 3rd. These live shows will give listeners a chance to hear both her new and classic material in an up-close setting. Her combination of memorable songs, captivating performances and a unique voice sets her apart as an artist who continues to rise, drawing listeners in with every new creation.

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