BIG SOUNDS AT LITTLEFIELD: DEGRAW FEST PRESENTS ECLECTIC BROOKLYN ARTISTS

August 8, 2018 by Ray Fontaine

Ben Rice Performs / photo by Ray Fontaine

Brooklyn-based recording studio Degraw Sound organized the Degraw Fest 2018 at Littlefield on Saturday August 4, 2018 in Gowanus. From 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Degraw Sound hosted 10 stylistically diverse, 30-minute sets in the span of just eight hours. Ben Rice, music producer and owner of Degraw Sounds, not only organized the festival but also performed in it.

Kevin Daniel / photo by Ray Fontaine

The eclectic lineup included classic Americana-style bands such as Kevin Daniel, who brought an entire ensemble on stage, to the punk-rock tunes of Elliot & The Ghost.

For the majority of his set, Daniel played sweet songs like “Myself Through You,” the title track off his most recent EP. He shook up the show with his closing song, “Xanax, Cocaine, and Whiskey,” a millennial version of honky-tonk blues.

GRITS / photo by Ray Fontaine

At 6 p.m., GRITS kicked off with a scream to prepare the crowd for a new sonic affect that fell somewhere between Kings of Leon and a 1960’s Motown band. Before playing their soulful song ,“Darlin’,” the band revealed that it was the first single ever recorded at Degraw Sound.

Elliot & The Ghost / photo by Ray Fontaine

Elliot & the Ghost immediately changed the room’s energy straight to head banging punk rock upon entering the stage. Throughout the set, the band offered high-energy, big-attitude performances. Songs such as ”Krewella,” off of their recent album, Grahlahla, blended funky bass lines with rocked-out vocals to verge on the pop sounds of Weezer.

Up next was Ben Rice himself, bringing a percussion-heavy but mellow rock sound to the stage. His performance was filled with catchy choruses and beautiful melodies as he maneuvered vocal gymnastics between falsettos and bass tones. Rice’s newly released debut single, “The Getaway,” showed influences from Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt.

Degraw Fest was a relaxed and fun day of local music. Brooklyn Roads will see you next year at Degraw Fest 2019 to see how the budding bands of Degraw Sound music studios will develop.

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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