Brooklyn Voices – March 2015

May 16, 2015 by David K. Moseder

Sharon Van Etten Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Congratulations to Brooklyn’s newest Grammy Award winners: Angelique Kidjo (Best World Music Album, Eve) and St. Vincent (Best Alternative Music Album, St. Vincent)… The latter was also the fourth biggest vote-getter in the Village Voice Pazz+Jop Poll, while Sharon Van Etten’s Are We There was The Voice’s number 15 album…St. Vincent, Van Etten and Lana Del Rey (Brooklyn Baby) will represent Brooklyn at the Governors Ball Music Festival on Randall’s Island in June…Sufjan Stevens’ highly anticipated new album, Carrie & Lowell, is slated for a March 31 release digitally, on CD, and on both black and clear vinyl. The Michigan native has lived in Kensington for the last several years and he also has an office in DUMBO…The Lone Bellow’s tour in support of their new album, Then Came the Morning, will include a concert at Music Hall of Williamsburg (March 26) and a gig in Las Vegas at – where else? – Brooklyn Bowl. The group calls Park Slope home and the album’s producer, The National’s Aaron Dessner, lives in Ditmas Park…

Lana Del Rey Photo courtesy of Shore Fire Media

Matt and Kim are set to release their fifth album, New Glow on April 7. The video of Get It, the first single from this latest effort by the Williamsburg duo, has garnered more than a quarter of a million views since its mid-January release…Hot on the heels of their recent Drum Wars Live! CD, legendary rock drummers (and New Utrecht High School alumni) Carmine Appice and Vinny Appice say they are planning to take their show on the road again later this year, playing songs they have performed with the likes of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, Rod Stewart and others. Carmine is currently touring with Vanilla Fudge in support of their new album of covers, Spirit of ’67…And getting back to the Grammys, Joan Rivers’ win for Best Spoken Word Album (Diary of a Mad Diva) was music to our ears. We only wish it wasn’t awarded posthumously.

Notable Quote: “I didn’t really care what Lieber and Stoller thought of my songs. They didn’t like ’em, but [Williamsburg native] Doc Pomus did. Doc’s songs, they were better… This Magic Moment, Lonely Avenue, Save the Last Dance for Me. Those songs broke my heart. I figured I’d rather have his blessings any day than theirs.” –Bob Dylan, excerpted from his MusiCares Person of the Year acceptance speech.

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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