BRIC House Sessions: Becca Stevens -REGINA Album Release Party / Jess Best

April 5, 2017 by Ray Fontaine

BRIC House Lobby Stoop Space photo by Ray Fontaine

Becca Stevens‘ album release party at BRIC’s Media Center in downtown Brooklyn was not the only musical event at the March 30th BRIC House Sessions performance. A second concert hid tucked away in a glass room, and another gallery backstage displayed You Tube screenings, light shows and more.

Jess Best at BRIC House Sessions photo by Ray Fontaine

Jess Best opened the evening A capella , supported only by chilling harmonies from her three talented backup singers. Her gospel folk fusion sound set the tone for the night with a positive and uplifting mood . Each song in her set told a personal story. Jess concluded the set with bright and sunny tunes like “Soulflower” and “More” from her EP, Kid Again.

The audience then moved into the Ballroom to enjoy Becca Stevens’ debut performance of her album, REGINA. With a Brazilian Charango in hand, she explained that the album’s inspiration was from many of the great Queens of history, like Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Wearing a sculptural leather Koshiro Ebata dress, tailored for her in Japan, Becca said that the dress encapsulates REGINA, her alter ego and muse for the album. To her, the album release celebrated the birth of Regina, after a three year gestation inside the studio.

Becca Stevens performs REGINA photo by Ray Fontaine

Nathan Schram, who arranged the strings for the entire album, appeared on stage to perform “Both Still Here”, a song Becca Stevens wrote for him, while The Attacca Quartet filled the ballroom with Nathan’s multi-layered folky rhythms and harmonies.

A chilling rendition of “Well Loved” kept up the rhythmic, fast tempo of the evening, as Stevens played five different instruments, switching them between songs. Heavy songs like “Must Be Hard For You “ and “Queen Mab” vocally channeled an old –world, Celtic sound.

To close, Becca Stevens performed a live version of “Muse”. The song built slowly to a crescendo of drums and synthesizer before dropping back down to a mellow finish. Becca left the stage with her band on a quiet, reflective note. The audience leapt to their feet and gave her a standing ovation.

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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