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

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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