Brooklyn Roads Turns a Page

September 15, 2015 by The Brooklyn Roads Team

Kings Theatre Marquis /photo by Matt Lambros

It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when there was very little live music and performing arts to be found here in Brooklyn. While it’s always been an incubator for creativity and talent (see Brooklyn Voices and Milestones for some contemporary and historical examples), pursuing such a career meant journeys to Manhattan and even farther-flung places. Thankfully, for the Brooklyn Roads team, that has changed radically over the past decade.

With the emergence of world class performance venues like Barclays Center, the Kings Theatre and the soon to be reopened Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn has become a music destination. Live music venues such as Brooklyn Bowl, Baby’s All Right, Jalopy, Rough Trade NYC and The Bell House have fueled the arts passion, while community-minded organizations such as BAM and BRIC provide an array of creative opportunities.

Rhiannon Giddens Takes a Selfie at Celebrate Brooklyn! /photo by Howard B. Leibowitz/B.L.Howard Productions

Another example of our borough’s musically nurturing nature is BRIC’s annual Celebrate Brooklyn! performing arts series, which increasingly features locally based artists. Among current Brooklynites who wowed the crowds this summer — and whom we believe you will be hearing more from in the future — were José James , The Punch Brothers, Lucius, Sarah Jarosz, Luke Temple, Pavo Pavo, Dawn Landes, Henry Butler and Porches.

Grace Jones at Afro Punk 2015 /photo by Kyra Kverno

Brooklyn’s diverse performance spectrum has helped spawn spectacular events such as Afro Punk, 90’s Fest, the new Brooklyn Americana Music Festival, Northside Festival, the Brooklyn Electronica Music Festival and the CMJ Music Marathon are now on festival calendars worldwide.

This is an exciting time to be here, but even if you’re not, we invite you to share the magic of talented performers and venues and to be a part of the cultural phenomenon that has made Brooklyn the newest, most exciting music capital on the map. We’ve reinvented Brooklyn Roads to become a digital music magazine, with an eye (and an ear) toward giving exposure to emerging artists in the new Artists On Our Radar feature, exclusive video views with top name performers , concert images from our photography contributors, contest giveaways and insider looks at some of our borough’s live music venues.

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!

... read article