BROOKLYN VOICES – MAY 2016

May 4, 2016 by David K. Moseder

If you haven’t yet been introduced to New York Blues Hall of Famer Bette Stuy, check out her new EP, Introducing Bette Stuy: This Is Neo-Blues. On the six original tunes she is backed up by her band, the Brooklynites…Among the Brooklyn artists scheduled to play the Northside Music Festival at McCarren Park, June 6-12, are Ava Luna, Bing & Ruth, Juliana Huxtable, The Numerators, PC Worship, Psychic Ills, Steve Gunn and Washer. The marquee event will be Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds…Every Flavor Weather Machine, the Bushwick-based wonka-funk band that rocked Northside last year, will be playing in their own backyard on May 19. They’re opening for psych-rockers Ruckzuck at Brooklyn’s newest music venue, Gold Sounds. No strangers to our borough, Ruckzuck perform the soundtrack to Brooklyn native Rodney Ferrer’s web series, City of Mercy…Local roots band Greg Cornell & the Cornell Brothers have been busy laying down tracks at Brooklyn Recording for their second full-length album. Titled Come On Home, the 10-song collection is slated to be released by the end of this month…In a recent post on the Elizabeth & the Catapult Facebook page, Elizabeth Ziman wrote, “Oh my gosh, I’m having so much fun writing music tonight. Bringggiiiitttttt!” She is reportedly working on a full-length album for release later this year…Likewise Nicole Atkins recently posted, “New tunes on the way!”…On July 1, Grammy Award-winning East New York native Maxwell will release his first new album in seven years, BlackSUMMERS’night. The title is a subtle variation on 2009’s BLACKsummers’night. On July 9, Maxwell will play The Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk as part of the new venue’s star-studded inaugural season…

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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