Brooklyn Voices – September 2014

September 5, 2014 by David K. Moseder

Shenandoah Congrats to local indie pop-swing band Lake Street Dive. Their Bad Self Portraits album reached number two among Billboard’s Independent Albums and number five on the Top Rock Albums chart. The foursome wowed the crowd at Celebrate Brooklyn! this summer…TV on the Radio has announced that their new album,Seeds, will be released in November. It is their first full-length release since the death from lung cancer of bassist Gerard Smith in April 2011. One track, Happy Idiot, is already available online…Shenandoah and the Night (profiled in Brooklyn Roads Volume 2, Issue 2) recently issued 100 Wants, Part One, the first in a series of quarterly digital releases that will culminate in a vinyl compilation. The group kicked off a promotional tour with a September gig at Friends and Lovers in Prospect Heights…Black Hours is the debut solo studio album by The Walkmen‘s Hamilton Leithauser. It features bandmate Paul Maroon and guest appearances by Amber Coffman from Dirty Projectors and Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij, among others. Earlier this year the group’s organist/bassist Walter Martin released his second solo effort, We’re All Young Together, via Family Jukebox…Bad news: Grizzly Bear guitarist/vocalist and longtime Greenpoint resident Daniel Rossen is moving to L.A. Good news: During a recent solo tour, he hinted t
hat the Brooklyn-based band may regroup next year, “if it feels natural”…Mark Allen Berube, whose quirky, humorous songs have made him a darling of the folk-fest set, will be releasing a new CD, Sticky, this fall. Also in the works from Berube: a new “Folkin’ the ‘80s” show with Brooklyn ex-pat Sharon Goldman that will be streamed live via Concert Window…Among the other current releases we’re listening to at Brooklyn Roads are Teeth Dreams by The Hold Steady, Real Estate’s Atlas, folk duo Wool & Grant ’s eponymous CD and Roosevelt Dime’s Full Head of Steam.

Notable Quotes: “Joan Rivers made me realize a Jewish girl from Brooklyn could actually play with the big boys. She made it look so easy while it was very tough for her. Even at 81, she was still breaking down doors for the rest of us who followed her.” –Carole Montgomery

Editor’s Note: When Joan Rivers’ The Late Show began its all-too-brief run on the fledgling FOX network on Oct. 6, 1986, it opened the doors for edgier musical acts that would never get late-night exposure on Johnny Carson’s more mainstream Tonight Show. On any given night her viewers might be treated to the likes of Husker Du, Psychedelic Furs, Oingo Boingo, Poison and Duran Duran.

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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