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

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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