Brooklyn Voices-September 2015

September 15, 2015 by David K. Moseder

Kid Cudi, whose career took off in 2008 after moving to Brooklyn from Cleveland, is putting the finishing touches on his latest album, Speedin’ Bullet to Heaven. He is reportedly eschewing synthesizers in favor for his own guitar and bass playing. A single from the album, Confused, garnered nearly 412,000 views on YouTube in the first six weeks of its release… Among Cudi’s favorite collaborators are Crown Heights techno-rockers Ratatat, whose fifth album, Magnifique, soared to the top of Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums chart three weeks after its July 17 release…The nine-piece, horn-filled power-pop-and-funk band Turkuaz has scheduled an Oct. 2 release date for its new album, Digitonium…Flatbush singer-songwriter Carolann Solebello is currently touring as one-fourth of the folk-Americana group No Fuss and Feathers Roadshow, who are also working on completing their first CD between gigs. Expect a November release. (Check out our 2013 interview with Solebello in Brooklyn Roads, Volume 3, Issue 2)…Also planning a fall album release is Gowanus, an eclectic rock quartet that hails from a certain Brooklyn neighborhood, the name of which escapes us…Rolling Stone’s recently published “100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time” (individuals and writing teams) includes no less than 16 Brooklynites (14 native born) who collectively have crafted hundreds of Top 40 tunes. They are: Carole King & Gerry Goffin, Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry, Lou Reed, Woody Guthrie (long-time Coney Island resident), Hal David (in tandem with Queens-raised Burt Bacharach), Neil Diamond, Notorious B.I.G. (raised in Clinton Hill), Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman, Harry Nilsson, Jay Z, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weill and Otis Blackwell.
Notable Quote: “We just wanted to, I guess, sound alike … a gang or a bunch of brothers. So that was the whole idea of using the name Ramone.” –Marky Ramone (Marc Bell) on NPR’s Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me.

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!

... read article