The Photo Pit-Jersey Born Photogapher Captures Music-BK Style!

April 1, 2021 by Debra L. Rothenberg

Brooklyn Roads’ Contributing Photographer Debra L. Rothenberg shares some of the iconic images and experiences about Brooklyn’s music scene. She is an award winning photographer and an accomplished professional whose first book, Bruce Springsteen In Focus, received global acclaim. Her work can be viewed on her website at https://debrarothenberg.com.

As a “Jersey Girl” who has been living in Manhattan for the past 22 years, I wasn’t too familiar with Brooklyn until a few years ago. I knew all the venues in the City and shot at all of them, large and small, and it was very exciting to branch out into Brooklyn and experience the venues, people and music. Brooklyn Bowl and Brooklyn Steel have been great places to see amazing talent, from lesser known acts to those who sell out fast, such as “Passenger.” The Barclays Center gets the big acts, such as Cher, Ed Sheehan and fellow New Jerseyean Bruce Springsteen, but we can’t forget when Neil Diamond went back to perform at his High School-Erasmus High School on Flatbush Avenue or when Sarah McLachlan performed at the newly renovated Kings Theater. Of course, a great memory and time was when U2 performed live for MTV at Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn.
Things are always quite exciting in Brooklyn and Brooklyn Roads Magazine covers it all.

: Cher at Barclays Center

: U2’s Bono Performs at Brooklyn Bridge Park

: Bruce Springsteen at Barclays Center /photo by Debra L. Rothenberg

: Passenger at Brooklyn Steel

: Sugarray Rayford at Brooklyn Bowl

: Sarah McLachlan at The Kings Theatre

: Rachel Price Surprises The Avett Brothers at Barclays Center

: Ed Sheeran at Barclays Center

: The Boss at Barclays Center

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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