Brooklyn Voices – February 2016

February 3, 2016 by David K. Moseder

Yeasayer-photo by Liane Chan / courtesy of Wikipedia

Named one of WFUV‘s Artists to Watch in 2016, Sunflower Bean’s full-length debut album, Human Ceremony, will be released February 5 on CD and vinyl. It was recorded in Brooklyn and produced by Matt Molnar of the now-disbanded Bushwick band, Friends…Patrons at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg on Jan. 31 got to hear for themselves why Cigarettes After Sex was named one of Rolling Stone‘s 10 Artists You Need to Know. These El Paso expats’ latest single, “Affection,” has racked up almost two million YouTube views in four months…On the heels of their late-2015 EP Hell, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart will be playing at Baby’s All Right on March 3… No fooling: Psychedelic pop band Yeasayer’s fourth album, Amen & Goodbye, is due out on April 1. The video of “I Am Chemistry,” the first single from the album, garnered more than 200,000 YouTube hits in less than one month following its Jan. 7 release…Four (count ’em, four) Brooklyn singers and songwriters will share the bill at Union Hall on Feb. 18. They are: Annie Keating, Gabriel Mayers, Radionics and Natalia Zukerman. Radionics, by the way, recently released a digital EP, Fools on the Range, that was recorded at Seaside Lounge Studios in Greenwood Heights…Antibalas, Charles Bradley and Talib Kweli will be representing Brooklyn at Tampa’s Gasparilla Music Festival in March…Country singer Laura Cantrell is planning a 15th anniversary vinyl edition of her debut album, Not the Tremblin’ Kind. The album was recorded at now-defunct Coyote Studios in Williamsburg, a neighborhood Cantrell had called home for 10 years at the time, and released on local label Diesel Only Records…MGMT, who popped up on an episode of the podcast Song Exploder in late January, recently tweeted: “2016 is the year MGMT re-dominates your mind hole.” Stay tuned.

Notable Quote: “Brooklyn is where I primarily developed. I had an opportunity to make records and perform in clubs here and there, and I started networking with the right people in the right places.” – Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes / photo by Mikamote / courtesy of Wikipedia

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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