The sound of New Orleans will make its way across New York State in Spring 2022 as The Soul Rebels embark on “Epic Vibes Tour” with stops in Buffalo, Waterloo, Albany, Brooklyn and Westhampton Beach.
The Soul Rebels recently announced they will be taking part in fellow New Orleanian Trombone Shorty on his Summer 2022 Threauxdown Tour. Their Epic Vibes Tour runs from December 2021 through April 2023, with shows on the West Coast, the Northeast, a monthly residency in Memphis and a healthy amount of shows in New Orleans.
The brass band continue to ride high off the release of their latest album Poetry In Motion. The eight-member collective appeared on Def Jam artist Dave East and Nas’ “Godfather 4” single, Big Freedia and Icona Pop’s “Pipe That”, and reached fans with original singles “Greatness” which was featured as ESPN’s official College Hoops theme anthem, and “Good Time” featured on Netflix’s #BlackAF and Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!
The Soul Rebels have impressed viewers with two recent appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk series with Wu Tang Clan frontman GZA, headlined the global TED Conference, and appeared on the official soundtrack for Universal Pictures’ hit comedy Girls Trip.
Soul Rebels Epic Vibes 2022 Tour
12/17 Memphis, TN RAILGARTEN 12/22 New Orleans HOUSE OF BLUES 12/31 New Orleans MAISON 1/14 Memphis, TN RAILGARTEN 1/15 Baton Rouge, LA CHELSEA’S 1/22 New Orleans BLUE NILE 2/11 New Orleans DBA 2/16 San Diego, CA MUSIC BOX 2/17 Los Angeles, CA TERAGRAM BALLROOM 2/18 San Francisco, CA THE INDEPENDENT 2/19 Oakland, CA THE NEW PARISH 2/20 Felton, CA FELTON MUSIC HALL 2/23 Seattle, WA NECTAR LOUNGE 2/24 Olympia, WA CAPITOL THEATER 2/25 Portland, OR PDX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2/26 Bellingham, WA WILD BUFFALO 2/27 Victoria, BC UPSTAIRS CABARET 3/24 Waterloo, NY THE VINE @ DELLAGO CASINO RESORT 3/25 Philadelphia, PA BROOKLYN BOWL 3/26 Washington, DC 930 CLUB 3/27 Pittsburg, PA THUNDERBIRD CAFE 3/29 Buffalo, NY BUFFALO IRON WORKS 3/30 Albany, NY LARK HALL 3/31 Boston, MA BIG NIGHT LIVE *w/ GZA & Talib Kweli 4/1 NYC BROOKLYN BOWL 4/2 NYC BROOKLYN BOWL 4/3 Millersville, PA PHANTOM POWER 4/6 Bridgeport, CT PARK CITY MUSIC HALL 4/7 Fall River, MA NARROWS CENTER FOR THE ARTS 4/8 Greenfield, MA HAWKS AND REED 4/9 Westhampton Beach, NY WESTHAMPTON BEACH PAC 4/10 Ventura, CA SKULL & BONES 4/23 New Orleans DBA
Karina Rykman has announced with great excitement that her band will be headlining Brooklyn Bowl on February 24, 2022. Part of a greater movement with other of powerhouse women in live music not only making their presence known, but respected. This New York City-based artist bends the genres and feeds the soul. Karina called this “a proper hometown show” which could be interpreted as her way of saying “not to be missed.”
Who Is Karina?
Karina Rykman has been the powerhouse thread weaving its way through seemingly opposing forms of musical expression. Chatter of Karina’s name, talent and on stage acrobatic feats of stunt work have been the topic of conversation at festivals, pre-show hangs, after parties and set breaks. Some know Karina as Marco Benevento’s bass player but her solo project has made itself known as a force to be reckoned with. Sparkly boots, deep grooves and occasional stunts make for an entrancing experience with no choice but to allocate all attention in the moment.
Photo: Em Walis
But What Kind of Music Is This?
The funkier side of jam with a heavy lead bass of songs like “Dirty South” blend smoothly into a lo-fi ambient moods with songs like “Plants” and “Arbitrary”. “Elevator” and “City Kids” live within a pleat synching indie with the grit only a New York City Riot Grrrl could harness. All of the masterful genre stitching and blending encompass the beauty in what music is becoming.
Magic camptured at Catskill Mountain Jubilee by Em Walis
Evidence Points To Magic
Where might have Karina gained her momentum and defined her style? Perhaps all the time society was forced to look at the same four walls heightened other sense and stronger recognitions for new and exciting sound profiles. Maybe Karina experienced some form training similar to Uma T’s Black Mamba character in the Kill Bill films. In this case it would have been bass, not katana. The training with Marco Benevento likely involved many more smiles, a few less stairs and absolutely a large collection of cheap keyboards. Crystal masters claim that when the “greatest sound guy of all time” is at the helm and the sunlight hits Karina’s bass at just the right angle, the golden light that exists in this musicians soul becomes visible for only a moment.
Stocks
Day or night, it would be in one’s best interest to see Karina now and catch glimpses of the golden light now, because it will be a lot more difficult as her career continues to grow. Karina’s shows are fun. Banter could include existential questions followed by a quick video game cheat code. Encouragement to bandmates might involve empowering words like “slay” and “queen” which are unfortunately not in the usual vocabulary of “dude bands at dude shows”. Karina’s shows are known to feel uplifting, creatively complimentary and spirit lifting.
Women supporting women in music by Em Walis
Slay Queen
Women like Karina, friends Marlo and Veronica from Melt, Kanika Moore of Doom Flamingo, Laura Lee of Krunghabin and fellow New Yorker Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells are all making waves on tour and helping to create a safer space for future generations of women that are interested in music. These women convey a message that grant permission for women to present authentically, dress in what feels the best and behave in a way that stands by ethical codes unapologetically. The future looks bright thanks to Karina and the other magical warriors queens out there slaying.
The Slip, avant-rock trio from Boston, soundly finished their first mini-tour in a decade, playing seven shows over two weeks this November across the northeastern US. This was their first mini-tour since 2011. Brad and Andrew moved to Montreal in 2005, birthing The Barr Brothers. As The Barr Brothers ramped up, The Slip’s performances ebbed, playing only 7 times in 2011, then only twice at High Sierra Music Festival. Everyone wanted to know when they’d tour again.
The long-awaited Slip mini-tour launched at Higher Ground in Burlington, VT, where they’ve played over two dozen times since 1998 (lastly in spring of 2008). BAM started off with the ethereal Landing, prelude to the fiery fan favorite, Get Me With Fuji (a song named by long-time friend and one of the first Slip tapers, Jason Booth). After Fuji fired up the crowd, Brad donned his Danelectro for Nobody Waits That Long Anymore, a brand new song (debuted at Lockn’ Farm). Even Rats, their most-watched video, brought indie rock vibes to keep the first set lively.
The reflective rock classic, Sometimes True to Nothing, warmed the crowd in the first set. “The heart is a wilderness / with beauty and emptiness / that you endure”. The new rock song Motherwolf went into Chasing Rabbits, which debuted in 2003, but hadn’t been played since April 2007. Long-time Slip fans anticipated more good times from the wide mix of new and old songs in their tour opener.
The Slip flexed their jazz chops with their Coltrane tribute, Trane-ing, first played back in 1998 at The Living Room. They continued with an even older classic, Through the Iron Gate, which debuted in 1997 and hadn’t been played in 16 years! Heading back to recent times, they unearthed another gem from Eisenhower, Life in Disguise, then on to The Weight of Solomon, ending the single set with the oft-paired The Orginal Blue Air > Paper Birds.
The boisterous crowd cheered them on for a tasteful encore of The Band classic, The Weight, which The Slip has greatly rearranged, ending it typically with a Dogs on Bikes outro, and Autobody teases. Slip tour commenced robustly.
Thursday, November 11, 2021 – Higher Ground – South Burlington, VT
Setlist Landing, Get Me with Fuji, Long Ways Back, Even Rats, Sometimes True to Nothing, Motherwolf, Chasing Rabbits, Trane-ing, Through the Iron Gate, Life in Disguise, The Weight of Solomon, The Original Blue Air, Paper Birds Encore: The Weight* Notes: * new version, with Dogs on Bikes theme
Their tour evolved at Fete Music Hall in Providence, a cool industrial warehouse converted to a two-stage music venue. Ryan Montbleau, a friend of BAM’s who has Marc Friedman in his current band, surprised us with a lovely opening set of originals on acoustic guitar. This hometown crowd was larger than the tour opener in Burlington. BAM started the set with Landing, but ended there, instead of the typical segue into Fuji. They continued into Trane-ing, Blue Air > Paper Birds, and saved Get Me with Fuji until after the commonly-paired song duo.
Brad announced to the audience they were about to play their new single, Superterranean Onlyness, The Slip’s first studio release since Eisenhower – flowing with harmonized vocals, and brilliantly engineered by Steve Albini. Here’s a fan-shot 4K video of the live debut. BAM then played Driving Backwards with You, a song which debuted in 2000 at Higher Ground, then Lockn’ this August after an 11-year hiatus (last played at Narrows 2010). Even Rats preceded another new song, Hit Song.
More songs came back into regular rotation, such as Chasing Rabbits, Motherwolf, and Sometimes True to Nothing, followed by the sublime Aptos* > Something Learned, which debuted at Bethel Fest in 2003, and was last played at Cafe du Nord in 2010. They delved back into Eisenhower territory with Life in Disguise, then treated their hometown fans with another old-time classic, Autobody Experience (debuted in 1996!). This led into their new version of The Weight, with Dogs on Bikes outro to close, ending with a tasty encore of Children of December (performed over 250 times!)
All the parents of the children of december have a clutch because their birthdays are the hardest to remember when you’re born on christmas or the day before new year’s you can sing happy birthday but nobody hears it
Friday, November 12, 2021 – – Fete Music Hall – Providence, RI Setlist: Landing, Trane-ing, The Original Blue Air, Paper Birds, Get Me with Fuji, Superterranean Onlyness, Driving Backwards with You, Even Rats, intro, Hit Song, Chasing Rabbits, Motherwolf, Sometimes True to Nothing, Aptos, Something Learned, Life in Disguise, Autobody Experience, The Weight, Dogs on Bikes Encore: Children of December
The Sinclair in Harvard Square was packed before showtime, being where they went to music school and have played more than anywhere. Ryan Montbleau opened again.
BAM started with Landing, then Brad launched into wild guitar playing & effects, then segued into a sizzling Get Me with Fuji, then the brand new ballad Nobody Waits That Long Anymore. They continued into Even Rats, Sometimes True to Nothing, and capped the first set with a fierce Motherwolf.
Set two started with the jazzy Trane-ing, The Weight of Solomon, followed by Hit Song into Aptos. They returned to Through the Iron Gate, into Life in Disguise, with Lennon’s Jealous Guy teases (foreshadowing?). They teased Autobody Experience inside The Weight, following up with a Wolof jam and Dogs on Bikes outro to finish the smoking second set.
The most popular encore, Children of December, was well-executed. The weekend ended on a high note, and those attending all 7 shows were eager to see what they’d play next week in Philly and New York.
Saturday, November 13, 2021 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA Setlist: Landing, Psych Guitar, Get me with Fuji, Nobody Waits That Long Anymore, Even Rats, Sometimes True to Nothing, Motherwolf, Trane-ing, The Weight of Solomon, Hit Song, Aptos, Through the Iron Gate, Life in Disguise, Autobody Experience, The Weight, Wolof jam, Dogs on Bikes outro Encore: Children of December
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, Nov 16th, their first show at the new Brooklyn Bowl in Philly was canceled. It was great to return there, having attended the venue’s opening night with Soulive. This brand new 900-capacity venue shoulders The Fillmore in Northern Liberties, with two floors, twenty lanes of bowling, dining room, stage, and long bars on both floors. Delicate Steve opened, with a straight-ahead drums/guitar rock duo.
The Slip began with Trane-ing, followed by You Might Say (not played since High Sierra 2008). Ernie Mickey continued, a fan favorite (House of Blues Chicago 2001). BAM continued with The Soft Machine, Hit Song into Motherwolf, into From the Gecko, and Something Learned. They busted into a hot take of Get Me with Fuji, where Steve Marion (from Delicate Steve) joined in on guitar, staying on through Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary and ending the set with Sometimes True to Nothing. The Reddish Moon encore was calming, perhaps to prepare us for NYC?
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 – Brooklyn Bowl – Philadelphia, PA Setlist: Trane-ing, You Might Say > Ernie Mickey, The Soft Machine, Hit Song > Motherwolf > From the Gecko, Something Learned, Get Me with Fuji% > Proud Mary%^ > Sometimes True to Nothing% Encore: Reddish Moon Notes: % w/ Steve Marion (Delicate Steve) on guitar and Charlie Hall (War on Drugs) on drums. ^ Creedence Clearwater Revival (cover).
As is usual in pandemic times, inter-city travel is capricious, so the Philly to NYC route was beset with numerous accidents and traffic jams, even after morning rush hour. The usual 2.5 hour ride to Brooklyn took over 5 hours, but I was lucky to have a booked hotel a couple blocks away to unwind before the show. The Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg is the first one that Peter Shapiro opened in July 2009. The Slip last played there in 2011, after another slow year in 2010 when they only played 4 shows.
To keep us on our toes, at the first Brooklyn Bowl show on Thursday, The Slip opened with Landing again, but instead went into Even Rats instead of Fuji. They played Superterranean Onlyness third, which was growing on us after a couple of live appearances. There was a quiet pause after, then we were treated to Invocation, first in 1999, last played in 2004 (17 years ago!). Stuart Bogie (tenor sax from Antibalas & Fela! Broadway musical) joined for a sizzling Yellow Medicine.
Brad went into The Weight of Solomon and then Motherwolf, Chasing Rabbits, Through the Iron Gate, into the Nathan Moore song I Hate Love, with Bogie returning on tenor through the set closer, Jumby. A Sometimes True to Nothing encore left fans energized. Few were ready to turn in, so we met for aftershow drinks at The Gibson, a favorite late-night watering hole a couple blocks away, where we discussed what the future may hold for upcoming Slip tours.
Thursday, November 18, 2021 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY Setlist: Landing > Even Rats, Superterranean Onlyness*, Invocation > Yellow Medicine%, The Weight of Solomon, Motherwolf, Chasing Rabbits, Through the Iron Gate> I Hate Love%, Jumby% Encore: Sometimes True to Nothing Notes: * new song, released Nov. 2021. % with Stuart Bogie on tenor (from Antibalas and Fela! Broadway Musical
Relix hosted The Slip for a livestream on their Twitch channel, at a top-secret location near my old apartment. Brad asked his good friend Jason Booth for his song requests. Brad smiled, then turned to the stream chat for viewer requests, joking that they “probably wouldn’t play any of those”. The livestream included their new hit single Superterranean Onlyness, followed by the scorcher, Sometimes True to Nothing, then Motherwolf, The Original Blue Air > Paper Birds to close the set. Watch the stream here.
Friday, November 19, 2021 – Relix Studio – Manhattan, NY Setlist: Superterranean Onlyness*, Sometimes True to Nothing, Motherwolf, The Original Blue Air > Paper Birds Notes: afternoon set, livestreamed on Twitch – www.twitch.tv/therelixchannel. * new song
Brooklyn Bowl Friday saw the biggest turnout of this tour. Our night startedoff boisterously, with BAM being introduced by Brett Siddell, a comedian from their high school wrestling team. BAM opened with the classic, Aptos > Airplane/Primitive (only time played in 2021), the poetic Friedman song:
The airplane, the primitive, saw it and thought it was some kind of bird it landed, he made up his mind – I can’t live knowing that there’s some other world where men fly, up in the sky, trapped himself on the wing for a one way ride and in the air above a cloud, there his soul stayed when his body fell down.
Before Wolof, Brad thanked the Brooklyn Bowl staff, and everyone who traveled to the show, saying “that’s not easy to do these days”. He continued, “So, if anyone bowls a strike during this song … you get a t-shirt, and a handshake from Marc.” This definitive Slip classic starts with Marc’s infectious bass groove, debuting at Valentine’s in Albany in 1998.
Bloodstone came next, another new song debut (only played at Brooklyn Bowl and Levon’s), followed by the raucous Hit Song. BAM cooled things down with the mellifluous Driving Backwards with You, last played at Narrows 2010. Panda began with Brad spacing out with his pedals, applying feedback for Soft Machine. Next was The Shouters (cut short), which was only played once in 2021. The room exploded for the highly popular Get Me with Fuji (played 243 times), with a tease of Guns N’ Roses’ Sweet Child of Mine that drifed into a few measures of Moby Dick before returning to Fuji.
The band took a breather as Brad asked if anyone bowled a strike and got their t-shirt, then leveled with the audience:
I want to say it feels really good to be The Slip again. We’ve had such a journey, from our beginnings in high school when we were the jazz band … our friend Brett was not kidding. So when we moved to Boston and really became a band together … in the 90s and 2000s, you know, and coming up with all of you and starting to do the festival thing and really getting to know this really cool community of bands getting to know other bands like Lettuce and Schleigho, and Soulive, Marco, The Duo, … they all fit conveniently under the jamband umbrella. And then, at some point for us, for The Slip it became sort of a hard pill to swallow, because we related to maybe parts of being a jam band, but we really didn’t relate to whole other parts of being a jam band. And then there was … an identity crisis there in the mid 2000s and we made our record, Eisenhower, and that was so much fun to make and really felt like a success. But we still sort of had – you know – more than a decade playing together, and it was very hard to see…you know…sometimes it’s hard to see what’s great about you, as a group … and you start thinking of ways to change it, and then we did. And so we went into one identity crisis … beautiful and contorted … what I mean, it’s really good to be back here as The Slip … enjoying what was always good about being The Slip … and having so much fun together up here, with you … and that means a lot to me
Brad’s pensive baring of his soul set the tone for Through the Iron Gate:
I get tossed like a bone into the dogs into the sky the closing is a gathering a gathering of eyes an i will look to you and you to me in between the space we chase the tune we dream so lazily
Ruminating on what he had just shared, Brad continued into the soul-searching Life In Disguise:
The world is only a stage and I’m just a man with a sound caught in his throat and a pick in his hand but when the song comes tumbling out, you understand there’s no great demand well it’s there under your breath behind your eyes and you don’t have to say nothing cause I realize that everything somehow in some way eventually dies
…and then Jealous Guy:
I didn’t want to hurt you I’m just a jealous guy
The introspective, sombre tone evaporated with the first beats from Andrew’s kit to kick off the funky Autobody Experience, while we processed what Brad had just laid on us. After a few measures, feet and hands started flailing as Autobody melted into the newly rearranged The Weight, with guitar pyrotechnics and rhythmic undulation. They merged into Dogs on Bikes organically and fiercely, going back into The Weight, mashed up and dangerous, as they are known for. Dogs kept going, with a blazing solo by Andrew, back into The Weight, Dogs, Weight, Dogs…and our minds will never be the same.
The fans were not ready to leave, and the packed house didn’t budge, cheering for an encore. The Slip came back, and Brad warned us, “We all knew how this was going to end”, as they encored with a 9-minute Children of December.
Friday’s Brooklyn Bowl was the best of the tour so far; The Slip had rekindled the sacred fire.
Friday, November 19, 2021 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY Setlist: Aptos > Airplane/Primitive, Wolof, Bloodstone*, Hit Song, Driving Backwards with You, First Panda In Space > The Soft Machine, The Shouters > Get Me with Fuji@ > Moby Dick^ > Get Me with Fuji, Through the Iron Gate@#, Life in Disguise$, Jealous Guy!, Autobody Experience > The Weight+ > Dogs on Bikes (outro) Notes: * new Brad song (working title). @ w/ Sweet Child o’ Mine tease from Brad and Marc. # w/ So What (Miles Davis) teases from Marc & Andrew. $ unfinished. + new version, rearranged w/ Dogs outro.
We arrived early to Levon’s to hang by the fire. It was wonderful to see so many dear friends, some from as far as California! The Slip played High Sierra Festival most often, garnering a huge west coast fan base to rival back east. We wondered what they’d play tonight, and who might show up. Our anticipation was rewarded when Kt confirmed that Marco was arriving, which means he’d sit in. Other fans found out when they saw Marco’s Hammond inside the barn. A handful of fans had never seen The Slip before, but the audience was comprised of dear friends and music aficionados Levon’s sold out in a few minutes, so we all counted our blessings to gather at this special venue for our favorite band.
On the way in, we went to check out the merch. The new Slip tour hoodies have “216” on the front, a special code. 216 is Plato’s Number, which has references in ancient texts, the sum of 3 consecutive cubes (a “magic number”).
BAM opened with Suffocation Keep. This was another tour bust-out, last played at Sullivan Hall in 2010 (one of only 4 shows they played that year). This sombre song is about a relationship and introspection (lyrics, video). Trane-ing came next, which was played in every city this tour, but had not been played since a Slip stealth gig at Matt Murphy’s Pub on Valentine’s Day 2006 (The Slip were billed as “The Lips”). Bloodstone returned, which debuted at Brooklyn Bowl Friday. The powerful Sometimes True to Nothing and Motherwolf ended the first set with ferocity.
Marco sat in on Hammond for most of the second set, adding depth and chops to the musical stew. They opened with the sing-a-long If One of Us Should Fall, one of their most popular tunes, last played at Lockn’ Farm this summer. A funky Chasing Rabbits came next, followed by Jumby and a sweet Yellow Medicine with a Zion intro. Marco took a break for Through the Iron Gate and Life in Disguise, returning for Lennon’s Jealous Guy, which BAM only ever played on this tour.
Teasing this song throughout the tour on preprinted setlists, The Slip finally satisfied fans with their most-requested song, Honey Melon. This song is an earworm – once the “Words go in, they don’t come out.” This ended the set with great energy, and everyone was on their feet by then.
BAM returned to play an blazing encore of The Weight (fan-shot video), which was even fiercer with Marco on keys. This version had both the Autobody intro and the Dogs on Bikes outro. Fans danced wildly to celebrate this last show of the tour, and we all hope that The Slip will return to the road again soon.
Hugs and tears flowed as we processed the musical majesty of these last two weeks.
Saturday, November 20, 2021 – Levon Helm Studios – Woodstock, NY Set 1: Suffocation Keep, Trane-ing, Bloodstone*, Aptos, Sometimes True to Nothing > Motherwolf Set 2: If One of Us Should Fall, ? > Chasing Rabbits, Jumby, Yellow Medicine%, Through the Iron Gate^, Life in Disguise^, Jealous Guy$, Honey Melon Encore: The Weight#> Dogs on Bikes Notes: * new Brad song, previously untitled. % w/ Zion intro. ^ the only two songs in second set w/o Marco Benevento on Hammond. $ John Lennon cover. # new version, with Dogs on Bikes outro and Autobody intro.
The smell of fried chicken in the air and the sounds of clanking bowling pins has been the setting for some of the finest musicians the world has to offer; a night at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg is always one full of joy and a lot of dancing, especially on November 30 with a three band bill of Peak, Jam the Radar and Zestrove.
The night started off with Zestrove and their Americana funk styled jams. Zestrove is a 5 piece band driven by heavy guitar riffs and funky breakdowns. A smile was brought to my face as the chords from the Doug theme song flowed seamlessly into their song, “Shuck and slide.”
Following Zestrove was Brooklyn’s Jam the Radar, offering a heavy improvisational segue from Zestrove. The name Jam thee Radar is very fitting for this band, because everywhere the radar searched, jams were found. They busted out “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” by the Beatles, and closed the set out with their original tune “Cabin Fever.”
Peak closed the night out at Brooklyn Bowl with a pedal to the metal set full of jamtronica, funk and rock n roll. The backbone of this band is drummer Kito Bovenschlute, an absolute octopus on the drums with heavy Allen Aucion influence echoing with each drum pad strike. On bass is Josh Carter, formerly of Haley Jane and the Primates, keys is Johnny Young, and last but definitely not least on guitar is Jeremy Hilliard. Each one of these musicians is extremely talented, so keep an eye out for the growth of this band because they have definitely not hit their peak yet.
Setlists
Zestrove: Keep it Recording, Shuck and Slide*, Poi, Ideal Circumstances, Nothing Left to Say, In the Backyard, Lemonade (*Doug theme song Tease)
JamRadar: Fragile Minds, Quicksand, Drop the Dice, Help is Not, She’s So Heavy, Cabin Fever
Peak: Starlight Child, Vanishing, Easy, What It Is, Missionary, In My Mind, Run Me Down, Level, When Night Comes
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Marco Benevento, Karina Rykman and David Butler took the Brooklyn Bowl stage for an upbeat celebration honoring induvidual self expression. The charistmatic smiles beaming from the stage reflected the jovial comradery happening down in the crowd. While the ever present bowling alley was running simultaneously to the performance, it became apparent that Marco’s gathering was happening in what some Lebowski fans might consider The Dude’s Temple.
Colorful crowd in the temple of The Dude. Photo by Em Walis
Many parallels between mindset masters Marco Benevento and The Dude existed that night. There was an overarching reminder to the revitalization that occurs whenever time has been carved to show up for something with the power to ignite minds and hearts alike. The social connection, dancing, individual expression and unexpected favorite cover all contributed towards an emotional elixer helpful in priming the system for the upcoming holiday season.
Karina Rykman, her bass, sparkle outfit, and hand made t shirt. Nothing else. Photo by Em Wals
The Dude Abides | Let It Slide
The opening tune of the night “Let It Slide” set tone for the night to be upbeat, full of personality and constantly shifting. The catchy tune and “rhythmic chordy bass” drew a lasting attention to the stage to the point where time seemed like it began to fly by. The metaphysical shift that happened with a song like this allowed for the outside world to fall away because senses were being flooded with every happy neurotransmitter imaginable. It was impactful enough to carry through the rest of the night. By letting it slide, fans were able to abide which resulted in the ability to be taken on a journey without having to think too deeply in the moment.
Photo by Em Walis
That Rug Really Tied The Room Together | The Royal Potato Family
That Rug Really Tied The Room Together | The Royal Potato Family From upstate to down south, the atmosphere was positively unified. Attendees, colorful and diverse, all shared a familial bond that clearly valued making a conscious effort in being attentive to one another. One woman from Knoxville made sure to ask everyone at the table if they would like a beverage or needed anything before she departed on her own beer run. A potato cannon firing distance away from the Fred Short Recording Studio, family and friends close to the artists stacked up to show support as if it were their kid at little leauge. Notably, Melt guitarist and vocalist Marlo and Veronica made time during the bands headlining national tour in order to show some love for their bud Karina. The collection of people both new and familiar with the music wove together in order to create a beautiful, robust rug that provided a sense of safety and joyful company. To add a little bit of adorable fringe to the experience, Marco’s wife screen printed custom t shirts in their basement specifically for the Brooklyn Bowl event. Each band member wore the shirt and Marco could be seen making funny faces at her throughout the night.
Photo By Em Walis
New Shit Has Come To Light | Heartbeats
Never once did the joy become irritating or overdone. The pure honestly in the fun being had by all in the room and gratitude felt had its roots deeply in the concept of “all things considered”. The music never commanded listeners to think or feel differently, rather, an offering of an alternative mindset to live in the moment was presented. The wildcard cover of “Heartbeats” by The Knife speaks of submission to moments of forbidden love and while beautiful, provided a nice balance of darkness to the mood. The reminder evoked inspiration to never ignore those precious moments when desire has sparked and opportunity has presenteditself.
Photo by Em Walis
The Dude Is Not In | Here To Percieve
Anyone that walked down the alley and into Brooklyn Bowl for Marco Benevento’s performance likely assumed that they would experience upbeat, genre-nomadic music. Not everyone knew the level of rejeuvination they were about to experience through music, community and an opportunity to look at the world differently. Attendees probably wore some of their most coveted and unique articles of clothing after very carefully taking into account how the material might look on the dancefloor. Little did some know, the fur vests, tie dye, geometric glasses and bold lipstick were symbollic to the loving embrace Marco’s music gives to individuality and self expression. During the recent tumultuoius times, it has become increasingly important to find out what The Dude was feeling when he laid on the rug with his headphones in.
Keeping the innter light bright. Photo By: Em Walis
You’re Out Of Your Element, Donny | At The End Or The Beginning?
For some, the start of holiday season in New York City could mean a dreamy illumination of the city, Rockefeller center and time with loved ones. For others, it could be the most difficult dark season they have experienced yet. Covid tests are flying off shelves so families can be reunited for traditions to resume. Conversely, many are faced with the tidal wave of grief pulsing with each gathering that might not include that favorite person no longer with us. Invitations have not been passed along to certain people because they have been rejected by their families opposing fiercly to welcoming LGBTQIA+ members into their household.
Social media feeds filled with family photos are a constant reminder of what we do not have or what we used to have but recently lost. The last two years on their own have contributed to an influx of loneliness and depression especially during the time of year when the sun shines least. Financial pressure to show love by spending non existant money contributes to levels of anxiety that only can be reached by a threatened sense of ability to meet societal expecations. The entire night felt like it provided family and support for anyone disheartened by the world. Hope sparked all thoughtout the night.
Photo by Em Walis
Let’s Go Bowling | Random Note
Marco Benevento’s Brooklyn Bowl performance provided a dream-like, restorative experience where the aforementioned conditions need not be the single identifier to one’s experience. It is not to encourage denial of such things but to instead focus on the things that emote joy. In Marco’s Interview over the summer, he mentioned often starting his creative process with drum machines or randomly generated notes. There was rarely an intention to use these starter tracks in the final project, but it got the ball rolling and his head in the creative space. The sounds were often silly and the instruments not particularly coveted. The lack in seriousness seemed to also help in the process and stay at minimum net netural, which for many of us could be a whole lot better compared to their current mindset. For music fans, it is important to buy the ticket and go to the show. Bringing along a friend that might have it rough this time of year would not be a bad idea. The point being, once in the environment alongside appealing sounds, sights and people, the emotional and mindful shift will automatically follow.
Photo By: Em Walis
This time of year, it is important that we take after Marco’s fans and check in with each other whether we are at a show or not. Think twice before making family brag posts and consider other ways to show your appreciation more privately in order to respect those experiencing a more fragile season. Most importantly, if you need help, not matter how embarrassing, please tell someone or call the New York Emotional Support Hotline CALL: 1-844-863-9314
Marco Benevento – Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg, NY – November 27, 2021
Setlist: Let It Slide, Dropkick, If I Get To See You At All, Coyote Hearing, Greenpoint, Heartbeats (The Knife), Bus Ride, The Story Of Fred Short, At The End Or The Beginning?
To learn more, check out our exclusive interview and a review of Let It Slide.
As New York Marathoners raced down Bedford Avenue, runners may have heard the buzz stirring at Brooklyn Bowl a few blocks away. Just days after shocking news that eight out of ten Turkuaz members departed the band, five of them took to the familiar stage in Williamsburg as Brother Maker.
Dodongo
Bowlers packed the edges of an excited crowd as NYC-based band Dodongo took to the stage. The six-piece funk/rock band launched into their five song, hour-long set with two debuts, including a twangy, “Change My Mind,” and a progressive-rock, “Sweet Biter.” Dodongo’s third song was a shoutout to the venue as guitarist Dean Hicks joked that the owners had forced the band (to their dismay) to perform the funk song, “Brooklyn Bowl Theme.” To finish out the set, Dodongo brought the funky crowd favorite, “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley,” sandwiched between high-energy jams in their song, “Chase Sequence.”
Dodongo Setlist: Change My Mind*, Sweet Biter*, Brooklyn Bowl Theme*, Chase Sequence -> Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley *% -> Chase Sequence
* debut % cover, Robert Palmer
Craig Brodhead of Brother Maker with special guest Brittany Beckett
Hailing from New Orleans, Deltaphonic’s return to Brooklyn Bowl two years since their first performance there marks a notable transformation for the group. During the pandemic, Deltaphonic grew from a three piece band to five piece with the addition of Elmo Price on bass and Logan Sellers, which has given the band a more versatile and classic sound, and allowed them to blend more genres and styles. Deltaphonic’s set at Brooklyn Bowl showcased a mix of some of their best new and old material with special focus on some of their newer, unreleased soul songs including, “Angels,” and, “Casablanca.” Deltaphonic hopes to return to NYC in the spring of 2022 to promote their upcoming full album.
Brother Maker, an amalgamation of now-former Turkuaz members, including Craig Brodhead (guitar), Michelangelo Carubba (drums), Chris Brouwers (trumpet, keys), Greg Sanderson (tenor sax), and Taylor Shell (bass), made their debut. As Brodhead noted, with Shell taking a break in San Francisco, West End Blend’s Paulie Phillipone (keyboards, synth bass) filled in for Taylor.
Brooklyn debut of Brother Maker this Sunday at @brooklynbowl joining Deltaphonic and Dodongo. Taylor Shell – our brother – is home in SF getting much needed rest. He IS the bass player of the band, but in the meantime, our homie Paulie Philippone from West End Blend is gonna party with us on stage at the bowl. We will also be featuring some other fantastic special guests. Never miss a Sunday show!
Craig Brodhead, Facebook post
Brother Maker hit the stage with a bluesy funk sound that had the crowd immediately dancing. They played a set full of jazzy funk and psychedelic interludes, playing an instrumental mix of originals and covers before inviting Brittany Beckett on stage to sing Black Sabbath’s, “Sweet Leaf.”
To close out the show, Brother Maker invited Sammi Garett (vocals, also formerly of Turkuaz) and Paul Provesty (guitar, Deltaphonic) on stage to rock the house with a cover of “Magic Man,” by Heart.
New York City native Miles Francis will be playing a hometown show at Brooklyn Bowl this Saturday, November 13.
The artist, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, recently announced the release of their new album, Good Man on November 10. Francis shared the title track, “Good Man”, as a teaser for the album, which comes out March 4, 2022.
Think the track sounds like it was inspired by 80s music with a hint of turn-of-the-century pop? You’d be spot on — Francis’ musical inspirations are Prince, David Bowie, and early 2000’s boy bands.
Francis explained the track, saying,
“‘Good Man’” is sung by a man who preaches progressive values, who identifies as ‘one of the good ones’ – yet he fails to recognize his perpetuation of patriarchal behavior in his own life. There are lots of outwardly ‘bad’ men out there – but it’s the ones who claim their ‘good’-ness that can be particularly troublesome and capable of causing real harm.”
Still not sure if you’d like to attend? Read our review of their show at Baby’s All Right in October.
Miles Francis will be opening the show for Antibalas this Saturday at Brooklyn Bowl. Purchase tickets for the show online.
Dumpstaphunk last performed in the Empire State at the 2019 New York State Blues festival in downtown Syracuse. Later that evening, band members Tony Hall and Deven Trusclair kept the groove going at the Funk n Waffles club for a sit in on “Standing on Shaky Ground” by the Temptations that Funkadelic’s Eddie Hazel co wrote. A month later they opened for the Rolling Stones to 40,000 people in their hometown at the New Orleans Superdome.
Dumpstaphunk kicked off 2021 by releasing their first record in seven years, Where Do We Go From Here, which was just nominated in four Grammy categories. The band has been on the road promoting its sound this summer leading them up to a Labor Day Weekend of shows with Dave Matthews Band at Heavens Amphitheatre, The Gorge. All members of Dumpstaphunk sat in with DMB for Sly Stone’s “Thank You (Falletinme be mice elf again) and Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” to close the night.
Tony Hall sat in with the DMB as part of an alternate format the entire weekend on bass and vocals as well. He was reunited with Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds on stage for the first time since their infamous Some Devil Tour in 2003. Dumpstaphunk will also be joining Dave Matthews Band at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, on November 12 and 13.
Dumpstaphunk @ Brooklyn Bowl, Photo by Russell Mangicaro III
All of this momentum could be felt on stage at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday, October 23. Rotem Sivan Band opened the show as Dumpstaphunk hit the stage at 9:45 p.m., crushing their entire set for the Williamsburg crowd. Brooklyn Bowl founder, Peter Shapiro, appeared behind the curtain dressed as a pilot while the band took off on stage. Shapiro gave them a quick fist bump of delight after their tune “Itchy Boo.”
Come on lets get at it Brooklyn! Get up, Get down, Keep it stepping, keep it moving. Every band member was fully engaged with the Brooklyn Bowl crowd the whole set. Tim Reynolds told
If there was a clip that examples their on stave vigor, it would be from their performance of “Justice” (that features Trombone Shorty on the new album). Tony Hall took the electric guitar for a ride down the adjacent lanes to end the jam. New Orleans cats Ivan Neville, Ian Neville and Nick Daniels hit hard on Tower of Power’s “Soul Vaccination,” resonating with the New York crowd. I’m talking bout soul (soul vaccination) Everybody get in line (soul vaccination) Horns!
During the final song horn players Alex Wasily and Ashlin Parker made their way through the Brooklyn Bowl crowd for “Street Parade” to close the set like the Saints go marching in.
For the encore, the band paid tribute to legendary drummer and singer Buddy Miles. as his song “United Nation Stomp,” featuring Marcus King was nominated for a Grammy Award for best American roots performance.
In recording a new album, Tony Hall shed some light with NYS Music about the group’s creative process.
We recorded a bunch of these songs and didn’t finish them lyric-wise. Vocal-wise we can always change. It goes kind of like vice versa. We’re all a band that can sing and play too, ya know?
Brooklyn native and rap legend, Talib Kweli performed at Brooklyn Bowl on October 15th for the second consecutive night. Backed by a live band, Kweli performed a number of songs off his newest album Gotham, which was made in collaboration with Diamond D. He also performed classics like Raw Shit, Get By, and payed tribute to the late, great MF DOOM and Biz Markie.
The night was opened by the incredibly talented Dudley Music, who alternated between keys, guitar, saxophone, drum machine, and flute while rapping and singing through his set. Proceeding was a DJ set by Niara Sterling, including hits, remixes, and deep cuts alike, that kept the vibe in the room until it was time for Kweli. DJ Spinelect fired the crowd up with Simon Says to finally bring out Talib Kweli to the Brooklyn Bowl stage.
The live band cannot get enough credit for this amazing show. With Brady Watts on bass, Camau Bernstine on drums, Chris Rob on keys, and Matthias Loescher on guitar, their incredible passion was apparent well beyond just their playing ability. Every artist got their time to shine with consecutive solos, with Watts and Rob even getting a chance to flex their freestyling abilities.
Just as cargo shorts, hair dye and flannel are making a comeback in the ’20s, a classic jam band from the ’90s is also making a triumphant return. The Slip, having just reunited at LOCKN’ in August, will hit the road for six shows this November, with three shows in New York.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMRHbayESZQ
The Slip – drummer Andrew Barr, guitarist Brad Barr and bassist Marc Friedman – had released eight albums over 10 years, starting in 1997, and while they have reunited here and there over the years, this run of shows marks their first tour in more than a decade.
After starting the tour in Burlington at Higher Ground, they’ll make two more stops in New England at Fete Music Hall and The Sinclair before heading to Brooklyn Bowl for two nights, followed by an intimate performance at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock. Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 17 at 10 a.m. ET at each venue’s website below.
