BACK IN THE DAY: BROOKLYN MUSIC MILESTONES – JUNE 2016

May 26, 2016 by David K. Moseder

June 1, 2010: Treats, noise pop duo Sleigh Bells’ first studio album, is released in the U.S. The 11 tracks were produced at the Treefort Recording Studio in Downtown Brooklyn.

Sleigh Bells/ photo by Stuart Sevastos /courtesy of Wikipedia

June 13-15, 1975: It’s a three-night double bill of Brooklyn natives at The Bottom Line with headliner Al Kooper and opening act Elliot Laurie. Kooper (The Blues Project, Blood Sweat & Tears) was touring in support of his recently released anthology LP, Al’s Big Deal – Unclaimed Freight. Laurie is best known for the song “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” as the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for Looking Glass.

Type_O_Negative_in_performance_(Columbiahalle,_Berlin_-_15_June_2007)

Type O Negative / photo by Melle / courtesy of Wikipedia

June 16, 1991: Local gothic/doom metal legends Type O Negative release their debut album, Slow, Deep and Hard, recorded at Systems Two in Kensington.

June 17, 1971: Carole King’s Tapestry begins a 15-week run as the number one album in the land, setting a record for a female solo artist that would stand for 22 years.

June 17, 2009: On the strength of their clever song and video “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell,” Williamsburg-based alternative hip-hop duo Das Racist merits a lengthy interview in The Village Voice.

June 27-29, 2008: Jay Z, Neil Diamond, MGMT, The National, St. Vincent, Vampire Weekend and Yeasayer represent Brooklyn on a mostly British bill at the massive Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England.

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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