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

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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