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

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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