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

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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