Brooklyn Voices – July 2014

July 6, 2014 by David K. Moseder

“These songs are especially deep for me,” says Joan Osborne about her new CD, Love and Hate She wrote or co-wrote all 12 tracks, making it her most intimate album to date…It’s been a busy year so far for Fabolous: He recently released an extended version ofCuffin Season on video, is featured on the new Mariah Carey album, introduced the Brooklyn Nets during Game 6 of their playoff against the Raptors, and is working on the soon-to-be-releasedLoso’s Way II… No Fools, No Fun, recorded at Brooklyn’s Studio G, is the debut album from Puss n Boots—Norah Jones’ collaboration with Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper. The group celebrated the July 15th with a live performance at The Bell House in Gowanus…Nicole Atkins (featured in Brooklyn Roads Volume 3, Issue 3) cracked the top 10 of Billboard’s Folk and Heartseeker charts with her new album, Slow Phaser, which also made the top 40 among Independent and Top Rock releases. By the way, her video of Girl, You Look Amazing is a riot…Michael Moore callsMistaken for Strangers, the new film about The National directed by frontman Matt Berringer’s brother Tom,
“One of the best documentaries about a band that I’ve ever seen”… The video forDigital Witness, the breakout track from the new self-titled album bySt. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) has racked up more than 1.4 million hits on YouTube… Americana/roots singer-songwriter Roger Street Friedman’s debut CD, The Waiting Sky, was recorded by fellow Brooklynite Felix McTeigue at several studios around the borough, including Saltlands, Strangeweather, McTeigue’s own 802 Media Group and Friedman’s home studio… It’s been three years since The Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s last album, but indie pop band hasn’t abandoned us. They’ve just released Days of Abandon, which has already spawned two singles, Simple and Sure and Eurydice.

Notable Quote: “Pete Seeger was a messenger of universal love and peace. He was my first inspiration to write and share music in my own way. God bless.” –Neil Diamond

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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