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

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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