BROOKLYN VOICES – APRIL 2016

March 28, 2016 by David K. Moseder

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings /photo by Howard B. Leibowitz / B.L. Howard Productions

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings will open the 2016 Celebrate Brooklyn! Performing Arts Festival at the Prospect Park bandshell on June 8. Though it’s part of the by-ticket-only Opening Night Gala, the concert itself if free…Local Americana/alt-country band Yarn, whose new as-yet-untitled album is slated to drop on May 27, will play Brooklyn Bowl on April 27…Talib Kweli will be doing a DJ Set at the Bowl on April 21. In May, the Park Slope native will fly to Australia for a series of gigs with Common…Maya Azucena has released the catchy, soulful, danceable “Favorite Song” as the first single from her forthcoming album, Unleash Me…Roosevelt Dime’s newest single is an R&B-infused, banjo-driven take on Tom Petty’s “American Girl”…Carole King: Natural Woman, which aired on a February edition of PBS’ American Masters series, is now available on DVD and Blu-ray…Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit flew all the way from Glasgow to Brooklyn to record their latest effort, Painting of a Panic Attack, at the Ditmas Park studio of The National’s Aaron Dessner, who also produced the album…Kudos to TV’s Mythbusters for using Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” as the perfect soundtrack for the closing montage of their series finale.

Frightened Rabbit/ photo by Jester Jay Goldman / courtesy of Wikipedia

Notable Quote: “Phife Dawg was authenticity in the flesh. Loyal to a fault and fiercely protective of this culture we call hip-hop, Phife embodied the very best of us.” – Talib Kweli

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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