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

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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