Gallery Friday: Kind Folk
When the musicians in Kind Folk first played together in a small Brooklyn apartment back in 2014, there was an immediate synergy between them. Months went by before they played together again, but when they reconvened the same connection was still there. Four years later, after a handful of other sessions and even a failed first gig, the group is releasing their first debut album, “Why Not”, on Fresh Sound New Talent in September 2018. The group includes trumpeter/flugelhornist John Raymond, alto saxophonist Alex LoRe, bassist Noam Wiesenberg and drummer Colin Stranahan. Individually, each of the musicians has developed a reputation as a rising star musician in their own right. Having each released numerous solo albums of their own music, they’ve garnered praise from sources such as the New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, JazzTimes and more. It’s without question that they’ve each established themselves as important voices in the global jazz scene. However, collectively, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Kind Folk features primarily original compositions written by each of the musicians, each bringing their unique compositional style to the group to form a unique, quartet sound that is all their own. The group also includes select material by musicians such as Kenny Wheeler, Charlie Haden, Ornette Coleman and others. All in all, there’s no doubt that “Why Not” is just the beginning for this group of individual, like-minded, musicians.
DOORS 7:30 // $10 ADVANCE TICKETS // $12 DAY OF SHOW
Gallery Show: J.E. Sunde + Anna Tivel + Jeffrey Martin
J.E. Sunde
“J.E. Sunde is one of the greatest indie-folk singer-songwriters around.” -Daytrotter “J.E. Sunde’s music brings about the finest folk comparisons whether it’s classic or contemporary artists. With the charm of Van Morrison and the conviction of Frank Turner, J.E. Sunde is an undeniable folk force”- Chris Pizzolo, Play Too Much
Anna Tivel
Of Anna Tivel’s 2017 release, Small Believer, NPR’s Ann Powers said, “Singer-songwriters work with words in a similar way, and are often called poets. In truth, only a few deliver the deep insight and sense of the new that breaking through the predictable achieves. Anna Tivel is one.”
Jeffrey Martin
Martin’s album One Go Around was released last October. In its review of the album, No Depression declared, “Portland singer-songwriter Jeffrey Martin has proven with his last few albums and his many shows that he truly possesses a gift for marrying Americana music and expertly penned words in an expressive way that paints a vivid picture of people, places, and events that are at once relatable and highly interesting.“
DOORS 7:30 // $8 ADVANCE TICKETS // $10 DAY OF SHOW
Gallery Show: Pieta Brown + David Huckfelt (of The Pines)
The daughter of two preachers’ kids, Pieta Brown’s early upbringing in Iowa was in a rural outpost with no furnace, running water, or TV. There, she was exposed to traditional and rural folk music through her father, Greg Brown, the now beloved Midwestern folk singer. Later, while living with her mother in Birmingham, Alabama during her formative years, Pieta drew on and expanded these influences and began writing poems and composing instrumental songs on piano. By the time she left home at 18 she had lived in at least 19 different houses and apartments between Iowa and Alabama.
In her early 20’s, after experiencing what she describes as “the songs calling,” Pieta started experimenting with the banjo and eventually picked up a 1930’s Maybell arch-top guitar during a visit to her father’s place and never looked back. Emerging from a disjointed and distinctly ‘bohemian’ upbringing, Pieta began performing live and making independent recordings soon after teaching herself how to play guitar. “I grew up around a lot of musicians and artists living on the fringe, and have always felt most at home among them,” Pieta says.
Continually revealing new layers as both a songwriter and performer, Pieta is being recognized as one of modern Americana’s true gems. In recent years Pieta has released multiple highly critically acclaimed recordings, with much attention being paid not only to her distinct sound and style, but also the power of her singing and songwriting. Since releasing One and All (2010) and Mercury (2011), followed by Paradise Outlaw (2014 which Bon Iver master mind, Justin Vernon, called his “favorite recording made at our studio.”) Pieta has toured North America with Mark Knopfler, and toured various regions of the U.S., Australia and Canada with John Prine, Amos Lee, Brandi Carlisle, JJ Cale, Ani Difranco, Mavis Staples, and Calexico among others. She has co-written songs with and made recent guest appearances on albums by Calexico, Amos Lee, and Iris Dement. In the last few years Pieta’s songs and music have been heard in various TV Shows and indie films including Everything Will Be Fine (Wim Wenders). With the release of her most recent album of collaborations, Postcards, (March 2017), and a lead-role in a Swiss based indie film in the works, Pieta’s music and artistry continue to rise.
DOORS 7:30 // $15 ADVANCE TICKETS // $20 DAY OF SHOW
Gallery Show: Brett Newski
Known as the first band ever to be kicked out of Wal-Mart for playing an illegal show, Brett Newski & the No Tomorrow bring a 90’s alternative sound across America this fall.
Newski has played over 1200 shows on every continent except Antarctica. Most recently he’s been supporting Violent Femmes, PIXIES, Chuck Ragan, & New Pornographers in the US.
His latest LP, “Life Upside Down” was produced by Hutch Harris of Sub-Pop & Saddle Creek legends The Thermals and engineered by Beau Sorenson (Death Cab for Cutie, Superchunk, Bob Mould), “Life Upside Down” is a beautiful catharsis to a happier brain and sense of belonging. If you frequently find yourself stuck in your own head traffic, this record might help get you free.
Brett Newski has certainly kicked his own ass over the past 6 years, touring infinitely (mostly alone) and wandering down the rabbit hole of anxiety, depression, and wallowing self-doubt. All of these negatives have blossomed into positive creative energy on his third LP.
“Anxiety can actually be a good thing. If you use it right, that nervous energy can be channeled into motivation or creativity,” explains Newski. “Even the most seemingly confident people have self doubt.”
DOORS 1:00PM // $12 TICKETS
