Brooklyn Music Is Alive and Well!

April 1, 2020 by David K. Moseder

When it comes delivering music to their fans, Brooklyn artists and venues don’t fool around.

One after another they’re taking to social media to stage live performances and present archived shows. April showers? No problem — shows are brought right into people’s living rooms via the internet. Here’s a sampling of what’s available, with more to come in the days ahead..

Jalopy Theatre’s Window / courtesy of Jalopy Theatre

Jalopy Theatre has launched its Facebook LIVE “Stay the Folk Home!” concert series. Among the first performers were Mamie Minch, who had been doing monthly live shows at Barbès, and Ali Dineen, a familiar face to Jalopy and Brooklyn Americana Music Festival goers.

Charming Disaster /photo by Mark Shelby Perry

National Sawdust has launched Live@NationalSawdust, a digital home for performances the Williamsburg venue has hosted during its five seasons. The service will feature free weekly releases drawn from more than 1,200 live shows.

Brooklyn goth-noir duo Charming Disaster will continue their Friday night (8 p.m.) Shelter in Place Livestream shows all through April and singer-songwriter Lara Ewen is hosting 5 p.m. Friday Happy Hour Livestream on April 3 and 10, taking viewer’s song requests. Lisa and Lori Brigantino are planning an April 11 gig for their musical comedy “Vickie & Nickie” alter egos and a regular show later in the month.

Mariela Flor Olivo /courtesy of the artist

Mariela Flor Olivo /photo by Michael Phillip Geffner, InspiredWordNYC

Brooklyn Roads recently caught #QuaranTunes Time w/ Mariela: A Facebook LIVE Event. It was the first online concert by Sunset Park’s Mariela Flor Olivo, who just released her first EP, Decide. Another local newcomer, emo-positive songstress Meghan Pulles, will webcast live from her living room on April 13th at 9 p.m. ET. Pulles also recently released her first EP, Keep the Light On.

These and other such events have optional donate links through which viewers can support the artists or venues. Many shows are also archived, so if you miss the live event you can catch a “rerun.”

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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