Thursday, February 25, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
LELAND SUNDRIES DEBUT ALBUM TO BE RELEASED ON CASSETTE VIA BURGER RECORDS SUBSIDIARY WEINER
Out now in the UK and seeing June 3 release in the US, Leland Sundries’
indie-garage debut album ‘music for outcasts’ will see a worldwide
cassette release on Weiner Records, a subsidiary of Burger Records.
‘music for outcasts’ has already earned praise from Louder Than War,
UNCUT, MOJO, and airplay from BBC 6 in the UK and Paste and Mix Mag thus
far in the US.
Profiled in the NY Times, California-based psych/garage rock label Burger Records’ cassette releases include Jenny Lewis, Shannon and the Clams, Habibi, Kim Fowley, King Tuff, Sarah Bethe Nelson, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Hunx and His Punx, The Orwells, White Fang, Ty Segall, Mikal Cronin, and La Luz.
Profiled in the NY Times, California-based psych/garage rock label Burger Records’ cassette releases include Jenny Lewis, Shannon and the Clams, Habibi, Kim Fowley, King Tuff, Sarah Bethe Nelson, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Hunx and His Punx, The Orwells, White Fang, Ty Segall, Mikal Cronin, and La Luz.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Civil Rights Activist Mattie Jones To Appear at 8th Annual Brooklyn Folk Festival
Social activist and civil rights champion Mattie Jones will lead songs at
the 8th Annual Brooklyn Folk Festival on Sunday, April 10th, teaching historic
Freedom Songs from the Civil Rights Movement.
Here is a video of Mattie Jones singing.
A lifelong champion of freedom and equal rights, Jones began her
career of activism in the 1950s, when she marched alongside Martin
Luther King Jr. During the decades that followed, she was a tireless
participant in the Civil Rights Movement, taking part in many
non-violent protests and working hard to eradicate segregation.
Arrested dozens of times for civil disobedience, she often leaned on
Freedom Songs — anthems and hymn-like songs that were inspired by old
African-American spirituals — to keep her and fellow activists determined and encouraged
during times of struggle.
She continues to advocate for victims of racist policies and
practices, working in leadership roles with organizations like the
Kentucky Alliance Against Racial & Political Repression and New York
City's Fellowship of Reconciliation. With a lifetime of lessons and
music gleaned from her civil rights work, she is uniquely qualified to
educate the public about social change and racial inequity — issues
that remain as important in today's world as they did in Jones' youth.
"Mattie Jones has lived an incredible life of social activism in the
struggle for civil rights and human rights in America," says Brooklyn
Folk Festival producer Eli Smith. "Arrested more than 50 times for
acts of civil disobedience, she has shown by example the way that
social change is really made. Ms. Jones is also a wonderful singer and
keeper of the freedom songs of the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th
century. She would like to impart the songs and lessons from her life
of activism to young people."
Founded in 2008 to help showcase the folk music of New York City and
beyond, the Brooklyn Folk Festival is expanding its reach in 2016,
with the added goal of highlighting the roles of culture and music in
social and political activist movements. Held at St. Ann's Church at
157 Montague Street, the three-day event will also include workshops,
puppet shows and dozens of music performances. Mattie Jones'
performance is scheduled for 3:45 p.m on Sunday, April 10th, at Parish
Hall.
the 8th Annual Brooklyn Folk Festival on Sunday, April 10th, teaching historic
Freedom Songs from the Civil Rights Movement.
Here is a video of Mattie Jones singing.
A lifelong champion of freedom and equal rights, Jones began her
career of activism in the 1950s, when she marched alongside Martin
Luther King Jr. During the decades that followed, she was a tireless
participant in the Civil Rights Movement, taking part in many
non-violent protests and working hard to eradicate segregation.
Arrested dozens of times for civil disobedience, she often leaned on
Freedom Songs — anthems and hymn-like songs that were inspired by old
African-American spirituals — to keep her and fellow activists determined and encouraged
during times of struggle.
She continues to advocate for victims of racist policies and
practices, working in leadership roles with organizations like the
Kentucky Alliance Against Racial & Political Repression and New York
City's Fellowship of Reconciliation. With a lifetime of lessons and
music gleaned from her civil rights work, she is uniquely qualified to
educate the public about social change and racial inequity — issues
that remain as important in today's world as they did in Jones' youth.
"Mattie Jones has lived an incredible life of social activism in the
struggle for civil rights and human rights in America," says Brooklyn
Folk Festival producer Eli Smith. "Arrested more than 50 times for
acts of civil disobedience, she has shown by example the way that
social change is really made. Ms. Jones is also a wonderful singer and
keeper of the freedom songs of the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th
century. She would like to impart the songs and lessons from her life
of activism to young people."
Founded in 2008 to help showcase the folk music of New York City and
beyond, the Brooklyn Folk Festival is expanding its reach in 2016,
with the added goal of highlighting the roles of culture and music in
social and political activist movements. Held at St. Ann's Church at
157 Montague Street, the three-day event will also include workshops,
puppet shows and dozens of music performances. Mattie Jones'
performance is scheduled for 3:45 p.m on Sunday, April 10th, at Parish
Hall.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
TAJ MAHAL AND DOM FLEMONS WEIGH IN ON ETTA BAKER AS ‘RAILROAD BILL’ DELUXE LP REISSUE COMES OUT THIS WEEK ON MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION
Etta Baker’s ‘Railroad Bill’ comes out this week as a deluxe LP reissue
with new packaging, an unreleased bonus track “Police Dog Blues.” It
includes a digital download of her entire catalog and new liner notes.
Taj Mahal and Dom Flemons weighed in on the reissue:
Americana Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Blues Hall of Famer Taj Mahal says, "Possessing a stunning beauty, Etta's husband refused to let her travel and perform away from home. She never stopped playing music! This gracious grandmother was the source of a great deal of joy and surprise when I found out that she still played guitar after I heard her early recordings in the '60s. One of the signature chords of my guitar vocabulary comes from her version of 'Railroad Bill.’"
GRAMMY winner Dom Flemons says, “For more than half a century, Etta Baker has been considered by many to be the most important piedmont blues guitar player of all time. Her delicate and nuanced playing have influenced generations of finger picking guitarists. ‘Railroad Bill’ is an excellent collection of the songs that Etta recorded for Music Maker in the early ‘90s and is still considered her finest recording to date. Anyone who might ask you to narrow it down to one album to get started needs to own this record! A classic for longtime fans as well as new listeners!"
Americana Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Blues Hall of Famer Taj Mahal says, "Possessing a stunning beauty, Etta's husband refused to let her travel and perform away from home. She never stopped playing music! This gracious grandmother was the source of a great deal of joy and surprise when I found out that she still played guitar after I heard her early recordings in the '60s. One of the signature chords of my guitar vocabulary comes from her version of 'Railroad Bill.’"
GRAMMY winner Dom Flemons says, “For more than half a century, Etta Baker has been considered by many to be the most important piedmont blues guitar player of all time. Her delicate and nuanced playing have influenced generations of finger picking guitarists. ‘Railroad Bill’ is an excellent collection of the songs that Etta recorded for Music Maker in the early ‘90s and is still considered her finest recording to date. Anyone who might ask you to narrow it down to one album to get started needs to own this record! A classic for longtime fans as well as new listeners!"
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
PINEY GIR SUPPORTING GAZ COOMBES (FORMER SUPERGRASS FRONTMAN) US TOUR STARTING MARCH 21
Piney Gir – the indie rock artist who was not allowed to listen to pop
music until the age of 14 – will tour with former Supergrass frontman
Gaz Coombes as support act. Brooklyn Vegan has already previewed the
tour.
Piney Gir’s new album ‘Mr. Hyde’s Wild Ride’ (Greyday Records / February 19) has already been spotlighted by Impose, Pop Matters, Huffington Post, and Paste Magazine. ‘Mr. Hyde’s Wild Ride’ features her signature wild Brian Wilson-esque harmonies along with some of her most incisive lyrics to date, and addresses her hyper-religious upbringing.
“Mouse of a Ghost” music video.
Gaz Coombes/Piney Gir North American Tour Dates:
March 21 - Philadelphia, PA - The Underground Arts
March 22 - Vienna, VA - Jammin' Java
March 24 - New York, NY - Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
March 25 - New York, NY - Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
March 26 - Boston, MA - David Friend Recital Hall, Berklee College of Music
March 28 - Toronto, ON - The Drake Hotel
March 30 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
April 1 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
April 2 - Los Angeles, CA - Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
Piney's pulled together a stellar band on ‘Mr. Hyde’s Wild Ride,’ with members of Coombes’ and Emiliana Torrini's touring band jumping in on guitar, bass and drums alongside The Smith Brothers & regular collaborator Garo Nahoulakian takes a seat in the producer’s chair. Andy Ramsay of Stereolab makes an appearance on drums; the bulk of the album was recorded in his South London studio. The rest was whipped-up in Piney’s little Hackney Studio, small and perfectly formed like a musical toy box, chock-full of space echo, marimba, omnichord and pocket piano, which combine to create a euphoric indie-starshine. Think Yoshimi-era Flaming Lips alongside sparkling tableaux of Mercury Rev., the tunefulness of Grandaddy and riff-led counter-melodies like The Pixies.
Piney Gir’s new album ‘Mr. Hyde’s Wild Ride’ (Greyday Records / February 19) has already been spotlighted by Impose, Pop Matters, Huffington Post, and Paste Magazine. ‘Mr. Hyde’s Wild Ride’ features her signature wild Brian Wilson-esque harmonies along with some of her most incisive lyrics to date, and addresses her hyper-religious upbringing.
“Mouse of a Ghost” music video.
Gaz Coombes/Piney Gir North American Tour Dates:
March 21 - Philadelphia, PA - The Underground Arts
March 22 - Vienna, VA - Jammin' Java
March 24 - New York, NY - Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
March 25 - New York, NY - Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
March 26 - Boston, MA - David Friend Recital Hall, Berklee College of Music
March 28 - Toronto, ON - The Drake Hotel
March 30 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
April 1 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
April 2 - Los Angeles, CA - Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
Piney's pulled together a stellar band on ‘Mr. Hyde’s Wild Ride,’ with members of Coombes’ and Emiliana Torrini's touring band jumping in on guitar, bass and drums alongside The Smith Brothers & regular collaborator Garo Nahoulakian takes a seat in the producer’s chair. Andy Ramsay of Stereolab makes an appearance on drums; the bulk of the album was recorded in his South London studio. The rest was whipped-up in Piney’s little Hackney Studio, small and perfectly formed like a musical toy box, chock-full of space echo, marimba, omnichord and pocket piano, which combine to create a euphoric indie-starshine. Think Yoshimi-era Flaming Lips alongside sparkling tableaux of Mercury Rev., the tunefulness of Grandaddy and riff-led counter-melodies like The Pixies.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
JULIE RHODES EARNS EARLY PRAISE FOR ‘BOUND TO MEET THE DEVIL, COMPARISONS TO RHYTHM AND BLUES GREATS
SYNDICATED RADIO SHOWS BEALE STREET CARAVAN AND MUSIC CITY ROOTS CONFIRMED
Julie Rhodes’ debut album ‘Bound To Meet The Devil’ comes out February 26 but already praise is rolling in for her Etta James-meets-Cary Ann Hearst vocals, Muscle Shoals, AL production, and great songwriting. She’s confirmed tapings with syndicated radio shows Music City Roots and Beale Street Caravan and will be headed to play her first SXSW. What we’re hearing about Julie:
"Those songs are just perfect."
- Meredith Ochs, SIRIUS XM, January 29, 2016
“A significant new Americana/blues talent.”
- Adrien Begrand, Pop Matters, November 23, 2015
"While Rhodes' vocals evoke blues queens and soul shouters, "Bound to Meet the Devil" rounds up a range of roots sounds... Part of 'Bound to Meet the Devil's' charms come from the production and the players, but Rhodes' songwriting completes the spell. Her songs seem to rise from the ghosts of '50s blues and '60s soul greats. 'Hurricane' could be something Otis Redding penned in 1965... I have a feeling she'll be busy with national tours, trips to Europe and even a few late-night TV performances."
- Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, January 1, 2016
"The blues for a new generation... Rhodes shines... gritty and emotionally raw."
–Elmore, December 17, 2015
“Listen.”
– The Bluegrass Situation, December 10, 2015
"Powerhouse."
- Tara Joan, The Daily Country, February 8, 2016
“Sometimes you hear a song and realize that there's something inherently special about it, something that elevates it above the rest of its musical peers. And in regard to New England blues artist Julie Rhodes, that song is the lead track from her forthcoming debut record, ‘Bound to Meet the Devil.’ Everything from the tenor of its blues-influenced tones to the dusty, workingman's blues attitude causes you to suspect that Rhodes will soon find a much larger audience… There's nothing synthetic or fraudulent, only a pure determination.”
- Joshua Pickard, Nooga.com, December 4, 2016
JULIE RHODES TOUR DATES
March 4 – Somerville, MA – Thunder Road
March 5 – Providence, RI – Columbus Theatre
March 16 – Memphis, TN – Bar DKDC
March 22 – Knoxville, TN – WDVX Blue Plate Special (afternoon)
March 22 – Nashville, TN – The 5 Spot
March 22 – Nashville, TN – The Basement
March 23 – Franklin, TN – Music City Roots
Julie Rhodes’ debut album ‘Bound To Meet The Devil’ comes out February 26 but already praise is rolling in for her Etta James-meets-Cary Ann Hearst vocals, Muscle Shoals, AL production, and great songwriting. She’s confirmed tapings with syndicated radio shows Music City Roots and Beale Street Caravan and will be headed to play her first SXSW. What we’re hearing about Julie:
"Those songs are just perfect."
- Meredith Ochs, SIRIUS XM, January 29, 2016
“A significant new Americana/blues talent.”
- Adrien Begrand, Pop Matters, November 23, 2015
"While Rhodes' vocals evoke blues queens and soul shouters, "Bound to Meet the Devil" rounds up a range of roots sounds... Part of 'Bound to Meet the Devil's' charms come from the production and the players, but Rhodes' songwriting completes the spell. Her songs seem to rise from the ghosts of '50s blues and '60s soul greats. 'Hurricane' could be something Otis Redding penned in 1965... I have a feeling she'll be busy with national tours, trips to Europe and even a few late-night TV performances."
- Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, January 1, 2016
"The blues for a new generation... Rhodes shines... gritty and emotionally raw."
–Elmore, December 17, 2015
“Listen.”
– The Bluegrass Situation, December 10, 2015
"Powerhouse."
- Tara Joan, The Daily Country, February 8, 2016
“Sometimes you hear a song and realize that there's something inherently special about it, something that elevates it above the rest of its musical peers. And in regard to New England blues artist Julie Rhodes, that song is the lead track from her forthcoming debut record, ‘Bound to Meet the Devil.’ Everything from the tenor of its blues-influenced tones to the dusty, workingman's blues attitude causes you to suspect that Rhodes will soon find a much larger audience… There's nothing synthetic or fraudulent, only a pure determination.”
- Joshua Pickard, Nooga.com, December 4, 2016
JULIE RHODES TOUR DATES
March 4 – Somerville, MA – Thunder Road
March 5 – Providence, RI – Columbus Theatre
March 16 – Memphis, TN – Bar DKDC
March 22 – Knoxville, TN – WDVX Blue Plate Special (afternoon)
March 22 – Nashville, TN – The 5 Spot
March 22 – Nashville, TN – The Basement
March 23 – Franklin, TN – Music City Roots
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
CO-PRODUCER JUSTIN PIZZOFERRATO (SPEEDY ORTIZ, PARQUET COURTS, J. MASCIS) EXPANDS PALETTE OF NEW WINTERPILLS ALBUM ‘LOVE SONGS’ (MARCH 18 / SIGNATURE SOUNDS)
Long known among chamber pop and indie folk fanatics, Winterpills expanded their sonic palette for new album ‘Love Songs’ (March 18
/ Signature Sounds) with co-producer Justin Pizzoferrato. Brooklyn
Vegan has called Pizzoferrato the “go-to Western Mass guy” and The
Boston Phoenix has praised him as a “lover of sound.” The result is a
grander scale that draws on ‘90s indie rock. A veteran of sessions with
The Pixies, Parquet Courts, J. Mascis, and Speedy Ortiz, Pizzoferrato
says, "I'm grateful to have worked on ‘Love Songs’; it's not the kind of
record you're called to work on very often. I think it's beautiful,
front to back, left to right."
Winterpills songwriter Philip Price says, “Justin is that rare engineering bird who can work as fast as our brains could musically think. It felt like we were really living inside the songs instead of stepping outside them all the time.”
One example is the song “Chapel.” Price recalls, “Justin encouraged us to leave in a lot of the experimental noise and layers that left to my own devices, I would have likely weeded out. He could hear that for that one song, the forest WAS the trees. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the album.” “Chapel” kicks off with a droning acoustic sound and Winterpills’ signature harmonies before quickly picking up into an electric indie rock refrain, a pattern that’s repeated; these careful dynamics draw in listeners to the song’s waxing and waning melody and into the beautiful chaos of the end section, making it feel alive and present.
Winterpills songwriter Philip Price says, “Justin is that rare engineering bird who can work as fast as our brains could musically think. It felt like we were really living inside the songs instead of stepping outside them all the time.”
One example is the song “Chapel.” Price recalls, “Justin encouraged us to leave in a lot of the experimental noise and layers that left to my own devices, I would have likely weeded out. He could hear that for that one song, the forest WAS the trees. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the album.” “Chapel” kicks off with a droning acoustic sound and Winterpills’ signature harmonies before quickly picking up into an electric indie rock refrain, a pattern that’s repeated; these careful dynamics draw in listeners to the song’s waxing and waning melody and into the beautiful chaos of the end section, making it feel alive and present.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
SILVER CITY BOUND SET COURSE TO CROSS GENRES WITH NEW EP 'TAKE MY PICTURE' OUT MARCH 4
NYC’s Silver City Bound will release their new EP, Take My Picture, on March 4th.
Occupying a unique intersection where folk, indie rock, Zydeco, and
North American roots music meet, the musicians take a left-of-center
approach to their sound. Vocalist and songwriter Sam Reider, who was
trained as a jazz pianist, plays the accordion, for starters. He and
guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Justin Poindexter lead the band and are
joined by bassist Noah Garabedian, drummer Will Clark. The band's Diner
in the Sky was named the Best Americana Album of 2015 by the Independent
Music Awards.
Formerly known as the Amigos, Silver City Bound have earned accolades for their "sprightly picture of folk, country, mariachi and more" (The New Yorker), a sound that the Huffington Post calls "Americana at its best." Along the way, they've performed at Lincoln Center, The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Folk Alliance, as well on bills with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Amy Helm and Sam Bush. Equally at home in indie rock dive bars and cultural institutions and inspired by the diversity of sounds in NYC, they're a breath of fresh air, stirring unexpected instruments and wide-ranging influences into their own mixing pot. Named for a Lead Belly song, the band will play an EP release show March 4 at Brooklyn’s Barbes.
Take My Picture casts a wide net, from the Jayhawks-worthy harmonies of opening track "Take My Picture" to the soulful twang of "Do Right," a cover of Aretha Franklin's "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man." Fueled by the blend of Reider and Poindexter's voices, the band recalls the classic sounds of Flying Burrito Brothers while also uncovering new ground, a move that puts them more in line with modern-day Americana bands like the Felice Brothers.
Formerly known as the Amigos, Silver City Bound have earned accolades for their "sprightly picture of folk, country, mariachi and more" (The New Yorker), a sound that the Huffington Post calls "Americana at its best." Along the way, they've performed at Lincoln Center, The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Folk Alliance, as well on bills with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Amy Helm and Sam Bush. Equally at home in indie rock dive bars and cultural institutions and inspired by the diversity of sounds in NYC, they're a breath of fresh air, stirring unexpected instruments and wide-ranging influences into their own mixing pot. Named for a Lead Belly song, the band will play an EP release show March 4 at Brooklyn’s Barbes.
Take My Picture casts a wide net, from the Jayhawks-worthy harmonies of opening track "Take My Picture" to the soulful twang of "Do Right," a cover of Aretha Franklin's "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man." Fueled by the blend of Reider and Poindexter's voices, the band recalls the classic sounds of Flying Burrito Brothers while also uncovering new ground, a move that puts them more in line with modern-day Americana bands like the Felice Brothers.
Monday, February 8, 2016
8TH ANNUAL BROOKLYN FOLK FESTIVAL GOES ALL OUT WITH BIGGEST DIVERSITY OF BANDS, WORKSHOPS, CONTESTS, JAM SESSIONS TO DATE
FESTIVAL PLANS AMBITIOUS PROGRAM INCLUDING JERRON BLIND BOY PAXTON, MICHAEL HURLEY, SPIRIT FAMILY REUNION, GAIDA, FREEDOM SONGS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, ED SANDERS AND STEVE TAYLOR (OF THE FUGS) AND MORE
FESTIVAL ADDS 2ND STAGE ALLOWING FOR 40+ DIFFERENT PERFORMANCES
SYRIAN, COLOMBIAN, MEXICAN, ETHIOPAN MUSIC ADDED TO FOLK FESTIVAL, WHICH HAS SOLD OUT EVERY YEAR
Celebrating folk music from near and far, the Brooklyn Folk Festival showcases 30 bands, workshops, film screenings, dances and contests. Syrian vocalist Gaida will bring her band to the festival, country blues and songster multi-instrumentalist Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, folk legend and songwriter Michael Hurley, folk group Spirit Family Reunion and Ed Sanders and Steve Taylor (of the Fugs) are among the performers at this year's Festival, held from April 8th-10th.
Spotify playlist
This year the Brooklyn Folk Festival also seeks to highlight the role of culture in social and political activist movements. Towards this end there will be several special performances and presentations: Veteran activist Mattie Jones will teach freedom songs of the Civil Rights Movement. Hailing from Louisville, KY Ms. Jones has been involved in the Civil Rights Movement since the 1950’s when she marched with Martin Luther King Jr., worked to register voters, desegregate schools and public places, worked to free Angela Davis and against apartheid in South Africa, among many other struggles. She would like to impart the songs and lessons from her life of activism to young people. Puppeteers will perform a piece regarding climate change and we will also be presenting bands from Syria and Colombia, to highlight the cultures of two countries that have been much on people’s minds as part of the war on terror and the war on drugs.
The 8th annual festival has sold out every year, will remain at it’s new home, St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church, in Brooklyn Heights where its world-famous stained-glass windows will frame the stage. The Festival is a co-production of The Jalopy Theatre and Down Home Radio. The three-day event has grown in attendance and scope each year. The festival’s partnership with St. Ann's allows for a main stage inside the church, room for food, drink and vendors, a second stage and new this year, additional rooms for workshops and film screenings. Adding to the festivities, the Festival features the World Famous Banjo Toss Contest "(as featured in Associated Press last year), a family-friendly square dance, a new Saturday night swing dance, a Sunday kid’s concert and several open jam sessions. There will also be workshops in shape-note singing, building instruments from found objects and Mississippi fiddle tunes, among others.
Tickets will go on sale today.
“The folk music of any place always has more heart and soul than corporate, mass produced music,” said folk fest performer Jerron “Blindboy” Paxton. “The Brooklyn Folk Festival will make 'the peoples music' [folk music] more accessible to the people of New York. I enjoy playing the Brooklyn Folk Festival for the good music, good times, good people with whom I get to make music and the good people that I make music for.”
As an international city, New York is home to legendary musicians from around the world. Abay Mengiste of Ethiopia will play the krar – an ancient lyre related to the biblical King David’s harp. Syrian vocalist Gaida will bring her band and incredible voice to the festival this year.
"This 8th annual Brooklyn Folk Festival promises to be a truly special event as we expand the scope of the programming," Eli Smith, founder and co-host of the Festival, said. "This year we expect a powerful array of sounds, with music from a huge diversity of genres including gospel, blues, old time music, traditional Syrian, Mexican, Colombian and Ethiopian music, trad jazz, song writers, jug band music and more!
The venue, St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1844. An important example of Gothic Revival architecture in America, the richly ornamented church is notable for its elaborately vaulted roof and window tracery. Before it was removed in 1906, its spire was the most visible landmark in Brooklyn and was used by ship captains to navigate the harbor. The Festival will take place in the main hall of the church, with workshops, film screenings and the square dance in the side hall. Food, drink and retail vendors will be on site.
The performances are separated into daytime and evening shows, day passes and a full-festival three-day pass. All workshops, film screenings, and the square dance are included in the price of admission.
FULL SCHEDULE
Friday
8:00PM Meredith Axelrod - Blues, Ragtime and Country music
8:45PM The Four o’clock Flowers – Blues, Folk, Gospel and early Jazz
9:30PM Michael Hurley - Legendary folk musician, needs no introduction!
10:15PM Special Guest!!
11:00PM Special Guest!!!
11:45pm Clifton Hicks – Old time banjo and ballads from Georgia!
Saturday Afternoon
12:45pm TBA
1:30PM Brotherhood of the Jug Band Blues – Jug band music, original and traditional
2:15PM Happy Valley Pals – Oldtime string band from Durham, NC
3:00PM Willy Gantrim – Blues, Folk, Country and original songs
3:45PM Rafe & Clelia Stefanini – Fiddle and banjo music
4:30PM Rayna Gellert (of Uncle Earl) – Old time songs and tunes, original songs
5:15PM Piedmont Bluz – Country Blues guitar, harmonica, washboard
6:00PM Gaida – Syrian vocalist with her band, traditional Arabic maqams and more
6:45PM Mick & Evan Kinney- Amazing old time string band from the great state of Georgia!
Saturday
WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES:
2PM Ukulele workshop
3PM Mississippi Fiddle Tunes workshop
4PM Build Your Own DIY Found Object Instruments with Zeke and Special guest!! Good for kids 6+!
4PM Oldtime Jam Session
5PM Blues guitar workshop
6PM Harmonica Contest!!!
8PM Skalopy – Jalopy’s own Ska band!
10PM Swing Dance!! Featuring music by Jessy Carolina and the Holy Crow Jazz Band!
Saturday Evening
7:45PM Ed Sanders & Steve Taylor (of the Fugs) – Songs and poems with music
8:30PM Feral Foster – Original and Folk songs
9:15PM Spirit Family Reunion – Original and Folk songs
10pm Jerron “Blindboy” Paxton - Blues, Old Time and Ragtime Music
10:45 Roy Williams & The Human Hands – Gypsy jazz, country and more!
11:30PM Radio Jarocho - Son Jarocho from Veracruz, Mexico
Sunday Afternoon
2:00PM Family Concert
3PM Rayna Gellert and Tim Eriksen: Songs for Sonya- Old-Time Ballads in honor of Sonya Cohen Cramer
3:45PM Freedom Songs of the Civil Rights Movement with activist and singer Mattie Jones
4:30PM Dubl Handi – Oldtime banjo and folk songs
5:15PM Down Hill Strugglers with John Cohen (of the New Lost City Ramblers) – Oldtime string band
6PM Bulla En El Barrio – Afro-Columbian percussion and vocal band, exploring new and classic Bailes Cantados of Bullerengue
Sunday Evening
7PM Wyndham Baird – Folk, Blues and Country songs with guitar, piano and harmonica
7:45PM East River String Band – Country Blues and Oldtime music
8:30PM Abay Mengiste - Ethiopian krar (lyre, like King David’s harp from the Bible) music
9:15PM The Whiskey Spitters - Jugband, Ragtime, Oldtime, the Jalopy house band!
9:45PM Special Guest!!
Sunday
WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES:
1PM BANJO TOSS COMPETITION!!!
2PM Shape-note Singing with Tim Eriksen
2:30PM Banjo workshop
3PM Oldtime Jam
4PM Sam Wilson’s puppet show!
4PM Oldtime Jam Session
6PM Square Dance!! With the Happy Valley Pals!
Passes and Tickets are available at www.brooklynfolkfest.com/tickets
3-Day Pass: $85
Saturday All Day Pass: $35
Sunday All Day Pass: $35
Friday Evening, 8pm-12:30am: $25
Saturday Afternoon, 1pm-7:30pm: $25
Saturday Evening, 8pm-12:15am: $25
Sunday Afternoon, 2pm-6:45pm: $25
Sunday Evening, 7pm-10:45pm: $20
* The venue has seating for everyone. Seating assignments are on a first come first serve basis.
* These prices do not include service fees.
* All events including workshops and film screenings are included in ticket price
* St. Ann's Church and Parish Hall are wheelchair accessible. If you are in a wheelchair and would like to take a workshop please email Lynette@Jalopy.biz
FESTIVAL ADDS 2ND STAGE ALLOWING FOR 40+ DIFFERENT PERFORMANCES
SYRIAN, COLOMBIAN, MEXICAN, ETHIOPAN MUSIC ADDED TO FOLK FESTIVAL, WHICH HAS SOLD OUT EVERY YEAR
Celebrating folk music from near and far, the Brooklyn Folk Festival showcases 30 bands, workshops, film screenings, dances and contests. Syrian vocalist Gaida will bring her band to the festival, country blues and songster multi-instrumentalist Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, folk legend and songwriter Michael Hurley, folk group Spirit Family Reunion and Ed Sanders and Steve Taylor (of the Fugs) are among the performers at this year's Festival, held from April 8th-10th.
Spotify playlist
This year the Brooklyn Folk Festival also seeks to highlight the role of culture in social and political activist movements. Towards this end there will be several special performances and presentations: Veteran activist Mattie Jones will teach freedom songs of the Civil Rights Movement. Hailing from Louisville, KY Ms. Jones has been involved in the Civil Rights Movement since the 1950’s when she marched with Martin Luther King Jr., worked to register voters, desegregate schools and public places, worked to free Angela Davis and against apartheid in South Africa, among many other struggles. She would like to impart the songs and lessons from her life of activism to young people. Puppeteers will perform a piece regarding climate change and we will also be presenting bands from Syria and Colombia, to highlight the cultures of two countries that have been much on people’s minds as part of the war on terror and the war on drugs.
The 8th annual festival has sold out every year, will remain at it’s new home, St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church, in Brooklyn Heights where its world-famous stained-glass windows will frame the stage. The Festival is a co-production of The Jalopy Theatre and Down Home Radio. The three-day event has grown in attendance and scope each year. The festival’s partnership with St. Ann's allows for a main stage inside the church, room for food, drink and vendors, a second stage and new this year, additional rooms for workshops and film screenings. Adding to the festivities, the Festival features the World Famous Banjo Toss Contest "(as featured in Associated Press last year), a family-friendly square dance, a new Saturday night swing dance, a Sunday kid’s concert and several open jam sessions. There will also be workshops in shape-note singing, building instruments from found objects and Mississippi fiddle tunes, among others.
Tickets will go on sale today.
“The folk music of any place always has more heart and soul than corporate, mass produced music,” said folk fest performer Jerron “Blindboy” Paxton. “The Brooklyn Folk Festival will make 'the peoples music' [folk music] more accessible to the people of New York. I enjoy playing the Brooklyn Folk Festival for the good music, good times, good people with whom I get to make music and the good people that I make music for.”
As an international city, New York is home to legendary musicians from around the world. Abay Mengiste of Ethiopia will play the krar – an ancient lyre related to the biblical King David’s harp. Syrian vocalist Gaida will bring her band and incredible voice to the festival this year.
"This 8th annual Brooklyn Folk Festival promises to be a truly special event as we expand the scope of the programming," Eli Smith, founder and co-host of the Festival, said. "This year we expect a powerful array of sounds, with music from a huge diversity of genres including gospel, blues, old time music, traditional Syrian, Mexican, Colombian and Ethiopian music, trad jazz, song writers, jug band music and more!
The venue, St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1844. An important example of Gothic Revival architecture in America, the richly ornamented church is notable for its elaborately vaulted roof and window tracery. Before it was removed in 1906, its spire was the most visible landmark in Brooklyn and was used by ship captains to navigate the harbor. The Festival will take place in the main hall of the church, with workshops, film screenings and the square dance in the side hall. Food, drink and retail vendors will be on site.
The performances are separated into daytime and evening shows, day passes and a full-festival three-day pass. All workshops, film screenings, and the square dance are included in the price of admission.
FULL SCHEDULE
Friday
8:00PM Meredith Axelrod - Blues, Ragtime and Country music
8:45PM The Four o’clock Flowers – Blues, Folk, Gospel and early Jazz
9:30PM Michael Hurley - Legendary folk musician, needs no introduction!
10:15PM Special Guest!!
11:00PM Special Guest!!!
11:45pm Clifton Hicks – Old time banjo and ballads from Georgia!
Saturday Afternoon
12:45pm TBA
1:30PM Brotherhood of the Jug Band Blues – Jug band music, original and traditional
2:15PM Happy Valley Pals – Oldtime string band from Durham, NC
3:00PM Willy Gantrim – Blues, Folk, Country and original songs
3:45PM Rafe & Clelia Stefanini – Fiddle and banjo music
4:30PM Rayna Gellert (of Uncle Earl) – Old time songs and tunes, original songs
5:15PM Piedmont Bluz – Country Blues guitar, harmonica, washboard
6:00PM Gaida – Syrian vocalist with her band, traditional Arabic maqams and more
6:45PM Mick & Evan Kinney- Amazing old time string band from the great state of Georgia!
Saturday
WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES:
2PM Ukulele workshop
3PM Mississippi Fiddle Tunes workshop
4PM Build Your Own DIY Found Object Instruments with Zeke and Special guest!! Good for kids 6+!
4PM Oldtime Jam Session
5PM Blues guitar workshop
6PM Harmonica Contest!!!
8PM Skalopy – Jalopy’s own Ska band!
10PM Swing Dance!! Featuring music by Jessy Carolina and the Holy Crow Jazz Band!
Saturday Evening
7:45PM Ed Sanders & Steve Taylor (of the Fugs) – Songs and poems with music
8:30PM Feral Foster – Original and Folk songs
9:15PM Spirit Family Reunion – Original and Folk songs
10pm Jerron “Blindboy” Paxton - Blues, Old Time and Ragtime Music
10:45 Roy Williams & The Human Hands – Gypsy jazz, country and more!
11:30PM Radio Jarocho - Son Jarocho from Veracruz, Mexico
Sunday Afternoon
2:00PM Family Concert
3PM Rayna Gellert and Tim Eriksen: Songs for Sonya- Old-Time Ballads in honor of Sonya Cohen Cramer
3:45PM Freedom Songs of the Civil Rights Movement with activist and singer Mattie Jones
4:30PM Dubl Handi – Oldtime banjo and folk songs
5:15PM Down Hill Strugglers with John Cohen (of the New Lost City Ramblers) – Oldtime string band
6PM Bulla En El Barrio – Afro-Columbian percussion and vocal band, exploring new and classic Bailes Cantados of Bullerengue
Sunday Evening
7PM Wyndham Baird – Folk, Blues and Country songs with guitar, piano and harmonica
7:45PM East River String Band – Country Blues and Oldtime music
8:30PM Abay Mengiste - Ethiopian krar (lyre, like King David’s harp from the Bible) music
9:15PM The Whiskey Spitters - Jugband, Ragtime, Oldtime, the Jalopy house band!
9:45PM Special Guest!!
Sunday
WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES:
1PM BANJO TOSS COMPETITION!!!
2PM Shape-note Singing with Tim Eriksen
2:30PM Banjo workshop
3PM Oldtime Jam
4PM Sam Wilson’s puppet show!
4PM Oldtime Jam Session
6PM Square Dance!! With the Happy Valley Pals!
Passes and Tickets are available at www.brooklynfolkfest.com/tickets
3-Day Pass: $85
Saturday All Day Pass: $35
Sunday All Day Pass: $35
Friday Evening, 8pm-12:30am: $25
Saturday Afternoon, 1pm-7:30pm: $25
Saturday Evening, 8pm-12:15am: $25
Sunday Afternoon, 2pm-6:45pm: $25
Sunday Evening, 7pm-10:45pm: $20
* The venue has seating for everyone. Seating assignments are on a first come first serve basis.
* These prices do not include service fees.
* All events including workshops and film screenings are included in ticket price
* St. Ann's Church and Parish Hall are wheelchair accessible. If you are in a wheelchair and would like to take a workshop please email Lynette@Jalopy.biz
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Brooklyn Folk Fest 2016 artwork
Above: Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Monday, February 1, 2016
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