Brazilian NYC-based band Shower Curtain dropped their first single in two years, titled “Edgar.” The group released an official music video shot in New York City, following lead vocalist Victoria Winter’s cat Edgar’s point of view.
The track approaches a heavy topic, as Edgar faces many medical issues. However, the music video seeks to create a lighter tone by playing with perspective: the video shifts from following the cat’s point of view at floor level to overhead shots of people searching for him.
“Edgar” is a dreamy, melancholic rock track that shows strong, deliberate use of intense guitar riffs, as well as moments where the song pulls back to showcase clear emotion.
Photo Credit: Juliette Boulay
Shower Curtain recently evolved from being Victoria Winter’s solo project to adding musicians Jill Olesen on bass, Ethan Williams on guitar, and Sean Terrell on drums.
It feels very liberating to share this song with the world. Not only is it marking a new phase for the project but I think an overall process of maturing as a creative, letting go of the old aesthetic and sound that defined Shower Curtain when I lived in Brazil. The new sound is of course a reflection of the project evolving from a solo project into a band, and the band’s contribution to this song is evident in the instrumentation.
Victoria Winter
Shower Curtain is currently focusing on their first album, set to release sometime in 2024. In addition, they will play a celebratory show at Brooklyn venue Trans Pecos on November 9 to mark their resurgence as a group. Shower Curtain is Victoria Winter (vocals), Jill Olesen (bass), Ethan Williams (guitar), and Sean Terrell (drums).
Global sensation Bad Bunny announced a 47-date North American tour slated for this spring, titled the Most Wanted Tour. Kicking off on February 21 in Salt Lake City, the tour will make stops in Los Angeles, Detroit, Boston, Washington, DC, Houston, and Dallas, as well as three back-to-back shows at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on April 11, 12, and 13.
The Most Wanted Tour will be curated as an experience for day-one fans, featuring a rollercoaster of explicit lyrics paying homage to the Bad Bunny’s “trap” style roots. Parental discretion is advised.
Bad Bunny rose to global fame in recent years, and became the top touring artist in 2022. After winning 3 Grammy Awards, the rapper took a break from large-scale tours, and will make his comeback this spring on the Most Wanted Tour
Bad Bunny released his newest album, nadie sabe lo que va a a pasar mañana, to massive success, as it became the most-streamed album in a single day so far in 2023 on Spotify. The Spanish title translates to “nobody knows what will happen tomorrow.” The record’s lead track, “MONACO,” hit #1 in 16 countries on Spotify, making a mark with over 900 million streams so far.
Fans can register for the Most Wanted Tour resale here until October 22 at 11:59PM. Once registered, fans will be randomly selected to receive a code that grants them access to the on-sale on October 25.
In addition, the tour will offer a variety of VIP packages and experiences, including premium tickets, access to the pre-show VIP Lounge Experience, exclusive gift items, and more. Visit vipnation.com for more information.
Every Us, a new NYC-based music collective released their new single, “Fool’s Gold,” a catchy track that marks the group’s second-ever release.
“Fool’s Gold” is an crowd-pleaser that captures the essence of a jubilant, carefree night out on the town. The track features catchy, anthemic vocals and a distinct vision of energized crowds clapping to the beat.
Every Us is a new music collective based in New York City, founded on the idea of capturing moments that make us feel a part of something greater than ourselves. The group has three more singles to come, with a full EP set to release in the spring.
Every Us boasts a lineup of collaborators including Olivia Reid, Michael Tighe (Jeff Buckley, Adele, Mark Ronson), Charlie Klasfield (Clean Bandit, Branchez), and guitarist Dan Sagher (Charlie Burg).
Through community events in the past year, they have curated a lineup of artists in the NYC and Brooklyn area, spanning genres like folk, R&B, jazz, and electronic. Their mission and outlook are to uplift new voices while sharing their music and fostering a larger community. Instead of being known as a singular figure or group, Every Us is a community sound and style.
BRIC, a leading, multi-disciplinary arts and media institution anchored in downtown Brooklyn, unveiled the artists slated to perform at this year’s BRIC JazzFest.
Set to take place at BRIC House from October 19-21 with two stages, this year’s festival promises to be an extraordinary celebration of jazz and its influences. In addition to the live acts, BRIC JazzFest will kick off the first night with a special panel discussion exploring the intersection of Jazz and Hip-Hop, with an ongoing film series taking place onsite during the festival.
Some of the artists announced for the festival include Reggie Workman, one of the most original and technically gifted bassists in jazz and American contemporary music, vibrant and versatile jazz saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, and multi-instrumentalist and rising staple Ciso Swank. Other acts include Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Nite Bjuti featuring Candice Hoyes, Val Jeanty, and Mimi Jones, Strings N Skins, and Panikkar Rosner & Leigh. Also happening at the BRIC Jazzfest is Jonathan Michel: L’Ouverture, a world premiere concert featuring Emeline Michel, Riva Precil, and Val Jeanty, celebrating the vital role of Haitian women in music and culture.
Photo by Liz Ligon.
Previously announced headliners include Georgia Anne Muldrow and Terrace Martin, as well as Isaiah Collier, Amina Claudine Myers Trio, Melanie Charles / Orrin Evans Duo, B. Cool-Aid, BIGYUKI, Miki Yamanaka, and George Burton.
The festival’s closing night jam session promises an unforgettable experience with the Trill Mega Jam Featuring The Jungle and Guests, culminating in an “expanded sense of jazz” led by a well-known NYC party The Jungle, which will feature artists spanning across multiple genres. It is comprised of DJs, musicians, and artists delivering a stimulating sonic experience that traverses the African Diaspora, embracing Latin, Jazz, Afrobeat, Amapiano, Percussion, Brazilian, Caribbean, House and Soul.
Tickets for BRIC JazzFest 2023 are available now, with options for daily and three-day passes.
LINEUP
Oct. 19
Terrace Martin Melanie Charles / Orrin Evans Duo Isaiah Collier Reggie Workman Alexa Tarantino Panikkar Rosner & Leigh
Oct. 20
Georgia Anne Muldrow BIGYUKI George Burton Jonathan Michel: L’Ouverture Cisco Swank Strings N Skins
Oct. 21
Amina Claudine Myers Trio B. Cool-Aid Miki Yamanaka Origami Project Sarah Elizabeth Charles Trill Mega Jam Featuring The Jungle And Guests Nite Bjuti feat. Candice Hoyes, Val Jeanty and Mimi Jones
The Bushwick Film Festival is set to celebrate its 16th anniversary this fall, with the festival taking place from October 25-29th. Inspired by the notion of the “Sweet Sixteen,” a time of growth, self-discovery, and newfound independence, this year’s festival theme revolves around exploring and embracing our passage into life’s next chapter, through cinema.
The festival continues its partnership with Williamsburg Cinemas, where all festival films will be screened. To celebrate its Sweet 16, this year’s films will explore themes of coming-of-age, self-realization, and the quest for personal freedom, captured through the cinematic lens.
Turning 16 traditionally symbolizes growth and discovery, but these transformative moments are not bound by age. We find defining moments at every juncture and during every transition. As we usher in the 16th Bushwick Film Festival, we’re celebrating more than just cinema; we’re embracing the journey, the lessons, and the stories that have brought us here. Here’s to life’s defining chapters and the many stories that intertwine with them.
Kweighbaye Kotee, Founder
The festival features not only an exciting lineup of films, but also a range of special events. The Opening Night Red Carpet Reception will take place at Brooklyn Borough Hall on October 25. In addition, the Movie Industry Conference will feature a full day of panel discussions, conversations, and networking opportunities for industry professionals and filmmakers. Finally, a lively Sweet 16 Party will be held at Lot 45.
Tickets to the 16th Anniversary Bushwick Film Festival, and film programing highlights can be found below, as well as at www.bushwickfilmfestival.com:
Halloween-inspired movie night: Campy Horrors, Thrillers and Supernartural
Brooklyn-based electropop duo, FIIZ, released their newest single “Phantom Limb” on September 14. “Phantom Limb” skillfully captures the torment of an emotional rupture that is often overlooked, and faced by everyone in today’s society.
This new track forces listeners to contemplate a deeply personal sentiment: the odd feeling of missing someone even if they are physically present. While songs, movies, and literature prepare us for the heartache of romantic love, few artists offer solace for the experience of losing a platonic friend. “Phantom Limb” invites listeners to face these feelings head-on, and normalize this sensation.
“We wanted to write about the aftermath when time has passed and healing has begun, but maybe there will never be closure.”
Isabelle, FIIZ
The band FIIZ is comprised of Fiona (Fi) and Isabelle (Iz). The band sprouted from their profound friendship that grew during the quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic. As artists, they aim to defy norms as they both fearlessly represent the LGBTQ+ community, and champion the queer community proudly through their music. They continue to break the heteronormative pop culture that’s deeply engraved in the music industry, shattering barriers with their unapologetic artistic expression and empowering presence.
FIIZ’s sound is a canvas where both band members blend their influences, resulting in an electronic-pop sound that incorporates elements of hyperpop and EDM. Their previous single, “Lungs,” stands as a celebration of queer sensuality, capturing the emotions experienced during a woman’s first encounter with another woman.
In an era where music tends to romanticize and idealize heteronormative relationships, FIIZ’s “Phantom Limb” stands as a testament to the complexity of human connections, reaching their listeners on a deeper, more personal level.
Listen to their single on Spotify and follow them on Instagram for future updates.
Afropunk returned to Brooklyn for 2 days of music on August 26th & 27th. The festival took place at Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Terminal Market for 2023.
As on brand for Afropunk, the lineup for the festival was all black artists from various genres. Some notable names included Tobe Nwigwe, Baby Tate, and Vince Staples. The lineup also included New York’s own Joey Bada$$, and day 2 headliner, Teyana Taylor.
Unlike last year, this year had a theme, which was Circus of Soul. Motifs of this theme could be seen throughout the event. Both on stage and in the crowd, fans and artists dressed as though they were part of a circus. R&B artist Cleo Reed really leaned into the theme by dressing them selves and other stage performers in clown attire during their set. There were performers on stilts wearing kente cloth patterns walking throughout the crowd. There were also Aerial Ring performers periodically doing stunts throughout the weekend.
This year was truly one to be at, as there were many performances and attractions that festival goers could really interact with all day.
A festival of the Arts
Afropunk is a festival that is bigger than music. Though music may be the highlight, it also features art and artists from all over the globe that center their creativity around the African diaspora. Inside the Spin Thrift Market, there were vendors selling things like clothes, jewelry, books, and weed products. Outside the Market, there were spaces for health and beauty. Festival goers were able to get their hair and makeup done, henna tattoos, and facials. Most of the vendors were also African American owned and operated.
In addition to vendors that were selling merchandise, there were also areas for festival goers to interact. In the center between the two stages, there were tents set up for festival goers to play games and run through a bubble pit. It seems as though they learned from last year as most activities and vendors were set up under large tents to protect against any potential rain.
Nonetheless, as much as there was to do off stage, there was much to watch on stage. There was a two stage setup to accommodate for about 30 performances. In between performances on both stages were DJ SNS and DJ Mohogany. They helped to keep the party going as people awaited some of their favorite artists to take the stage.
Day 1 Highlights
Day 1 had strong performances from Cleo Reed and a collaboration from the Soapbox presents on the 3 Ring Stage. The Soapbox brought together vocalists and musicians to bring a rock, R&B, and gospel like performance. This was one of the many perfect displays of how African American music is has roots in so many different genres that tend to overlap one another. The performance had fans feeling cool in the end of summer heat.
One of day 1’s most notable and electric performances was from Tobe Nwigwe. Originally from Houston, TX, Tobe holds on to his Nigerian roots well as they could be seen in his performances. He is always recognizable with his seafoam green outfits and sets. He brought out his wife, Martica Nwigwe, for a few songs from his set. He also had Olu from Earthgang come out for a song. Olu came out on brand, wearing seafoam green wings to sing “WILDLINGS” with Tobe. The performance was full of energy and surprises that keep the audience screaming for an hour.
Tobe’s performance was evened out by a more mellow from Vince Staples. Vince stared as “Maurice” earlier this year in the Emmy award winning show, Abbott Elementary. His Long Beach, CA vibes really brought the crowd down from their state of choas from before. Though his set did not features as many theatrics like Tobe’s, he still had the attention of the crowd. Vince had the crowd singing along to his hit song, “Norf Norf,” before there was a mass exodus from the event.
An uneventful end to the hype
The first night was headlined by Flying Lotus. He is a producer and DJ who has worked on many projects on TV shows and film. One of the most notable projects was Netflix’sYasuke, an anime centered around the story of Japan’s first black samurai. He makes a lot of EDM and electronic rap songs primarily.
Flying Lotus did not receive much of an introduction which left many fans confused. Though his fans would be familiar with his music and style, this may have been many’s first exposure to him. He could barely be seen from behind his DJ booth and did not say a word for at least the first 20 minutes of his set. About halfway through, he was joined by rapper Smoke DZA, who he is working on a collaborative album with. Smoke DZA did bring some excitement and energy to his performance.
After Smoke DZA’s exit, Flying Lotus played a few more songs and was about to leave. He did not realize that his set was not over and played for about another 15 minutes. Flying Lotus had a pretty anti-climatic exit, as it was a pretty bleak end to day 1 of Afropunk 2023.
A stark turn around from Day 1’s mishaps
Day 2 still featured a full lineup that had Greenpoint full. What was nice about this year’s festival was the scheduling of performances. With the stage schedules pretty staggered, fans were able to see all their artists without really having to miss a performance. This really set Afropunk apart from other festivals as many usually have fans contemplating which artists they wanted to see more. If they wanted to, fans could see just about every artist and take in the full Afropunk experience.
Some notable performances from Day 2 were from Baby Tate and Joey Bada$$. Baby Tate brought a fun energy out of the crowd. With a lot of positive sexual messages infused in her lyrics, her music and performance made Greenpoint a safe space for women to express themselves. In the middle of her set, Baby Tate took a break and her DJ Sky Jetta tapped into a different side of her fans. Though Baby Tate makes rap music, Sky Jetta played alternative rock hits, including “I write sins not tragedies” that absolutely killed.
Baby Tate came back and continued to kill. She played unreleased song “Wig” and ended on her hit “I am” to leave things on a high. Joey Bad$$ proceeded her and continues to bring smiles.
New York showing out for New York artists
Joey Bad$$ was happy to be back in his hometown as he expressed his love for Brooklyn all through out his performance. The theme around his performance was love as he turned the camera toward the audience to celebrate black love. He had a kiss cam going on for a bit before singing “Love is only a feeling.” He dedicated a few songs to fallen black artists including, XXXTentacion, Nipsey Hustle, Pop Smoke, Young Dolph, and more.
Before he left, he expressed his happiness to be playing at an event where he could see so many black faces. He also threw a jab at Afropunk for being a bit unprofessional behind the scenes. He still left things on a high with “Devasated” before handing the stage over to Teyana Taylor.
The energy from day 2 was drastically different than from the previous day. Day 2’s lineup featured so many artist that people knew and loved. They had performances that people wanted to be a part of and sing along with. Day 2 was originally supposed to end with Grammy award winner Jazmine Sullivan. Due to some personal reasons, she could not perform, but Teyana Taylor was passed the torch to close out the weekend.
Rose of Harlem feeling the love
Nicked named the “Rose of Harlem”, Teyana Taylor closed out to packed audience in her city. Teyana had mentioned during her performance that she was nervous to headline a show as she felt as though no one would stay for her. Though some mic issues may have fueled those nerves early on, New York showed her so much love that it brought her to tears.
The sound was getting too much for Teyana as she asked for just the keys to play during one of her songs. She was able to get real close and emotional with the crowd before turning things back up. The crowd screamed “Issues” and ” Gonna Love Me” with Teyana.
She was joined on stage by her daughter ,”Junnie,” and husband Iman Shumphert, for a few songs. Her daughter helped her throw out free t-shirts to the audience. Teyana also had 3 outfit changes that synced up with the many different vibes of her performance.
She exited the stage, but quickly came back for an encore. Teyana ran into the middle column of the pit to slap the hands of her fans before closing out the night. She thanked New York for showing her so much love and making this performance one worth leaving retirement for.
Afropunk continued to bring peace, love, and education about African American culture to one of the biggest melting pots of the world. With Afropunk’s voice continuing to reach millions, it’s only a matter of time before it starts to expand to other cities across the globe.
Indie rock singer-songwriter Stephen Artemis Jr. announced his new single, “Pale Blue,” released on September 15. The new track is a classic American murder ballad, as Artemis channels country, rock, and indie veins to fuse his newest release.
“Pale Blue” is a lively Americana track from Artemis, showing his signature harmonica skills and a strong following melody. It has a full, busy arrangement, which is not to it’s detriment, but instead emphasizes the pressure and drama of the murder ballad storyline. With inspiration of dark, true crime media, Stephen Artemis Jr. creates a searing look into Americana folk-rock tunes and steadily marks his place among them.
I really like true-crime podcasts. I watched way too much true-crime TV over the pandemic, so I think that’s how the song’s concept crept into my brain. I wanted to test myself to see if I could write something dark, like a true-crime podcast, but in my preferred medium; music’s version of true-crime is “the murder ballad” and Americana music is particularly rife with that type of song, but I felt that nobody had written a proper murder ballad in a long time.
Stephen Artemis Jr.
No stranger to the New York music scene, Stephen Artemis Jr was born and raised in New York’s Capital Region. In 2006, he moved to New York City and now operates out of Brooklyn. As a former member of Brooklyn-based The Falling Birds, Artemis now leads his own solo project, with two albums under his belt so far. “Pale Blue” marks the beginning of his new project, with more announcements to come.
“Pale Blue” is available on streaming services and for download on BandCamp. Find more information and announcements to come at stephenartemis.com.
While Hip-Hop started in the Boogie Down Bronx, Brooklyn birthed hip-hop’s heart. As an art form, New York started hip-hop. How wondrous the gift of spinning records to make new records. Hustle never quits. From the DJ spinning on turntables to the space decked out in graffiti – real performers make bystanders break out and dance. In the beginning, Brooklyn seismically shook the genre to its core and showcased all four core elements of hip-hop masterfully.
Imitation remains the highest form of flattery and nobody does it better than cats from Brooklyn. Subsequently, those outside of New York may struggle to understand the sense of pride attached to being Brooklyn-bred. The confidence serves as a survival tactic and the greatest emcees of all time – Biggie and Jay-Z exemplify this to the fullest.
Brooklyn Lineage
Many significantly trace hip-hop’s lineage to the Native Tongues. Imagine a genre-wide family tree and the many roots/branches that sprout as time progresses. Individuals who emerged from the throws of Native Tongues travel far and wide. Real artists leave an incredulous mark on the genre through the element of timelessness. Jungle Brothers, Yasiin Bey, De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest all blossomed ‘Straight out the Jungle’ of the Native Tongues.
Hip-Hop as a Timeless Tool
While hip-hop began to surround the sound of Brooklyn in the late eighties – it wasn’t until the next decade that hip-hop started to resonate across all boroughs. Accordingly, Brooklyn encapsulated the sound that everyone tried to emulate. While some might argue that Cutmaster D.C.’s “Brooklyn’s in the House” put Brooklyn on the map – it’s not about who did it first – rather who did it right. Artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z stepped into the spotlight and left a footprint in the hip-hop world that could never be duplicated.
Centrally, hip-hop exists as the single greatest knowledge-based tool for all to encounter. The sheer cultural wisdom and latitude that the platform provides outweighs all other genres by a landslide. Hip-hop changes the world when it allows artists to elevate from aspirational to generational. Essentially, nobody manifested their realities into existence quite like Brooklyn-area emcees.
Surviving as a Brooklyn Artist
Naturally, a Brooklyn artist may be known to overcompensate within their discography to reach their desired heights. Reason being, overconfidence and a tough demeanor come as prerequisites for anyone who aims to survive in Brooklyn. Simultaneously, the way that Brooklyn artists polish their renditions to overcome struggles and hardships contributes wonderful works of art as a whole.
Consequently, groundbreaking artwork emerges to reflect the socioeconomic conditions of the times. Hip-hop during the Reagan-era birthed many blossoming acts with illusions of grandeur. Only the strong survive, as the opportunities of the times gave many a chance to shine. Alas, Brooklyn-born artists consistently put forth the most bravado and gumption to properly represent New York – the mecca of hip-hop.
Brooklyn We Go Hard
After Biggie passed in 1997 – he left a major void. As time went on, Jay-Z continued to outshine his counterparts. In 1998, Mos Def and Talib Kweli purchased Nkiru Books in Park Slope to turn it into an education center filled with open mic events, workshops and lectures. Nevertheless, Brooklyn carries the most soul and flavor for all to appreciate. Throughout time, gentrification slammed Brooklyn as it hardly resembles the original infrastructure. Long live Brooklyn landmarks like Albee Square Mall and Fulton Mall where countless hip-hop heads would gather and legends were made.
Today, nobody holds it down for Brooklyn quite like Joey Bada$$ and the Pro Era crew. The Beast Coast movement includes Flatbush Zombies, Underachievers and Pro Era which was started by Capital Steez. These prolific artists capitalize on the concept of tonal perception – which allows the listener to interpret the lyrics based upon how they sound.
Undoubtedly, hip-hop remains the most pivotal component to artistry as a whole. Nobody could replace the contributions made by hip-hop and the blessings continue to multiply within the genre. For those about to rap – we salute you!
Strange Weather, the Brooklyn-based genre-bending group, has been slowly rolling out their newest record, The Fool’s Journey. The record is a concept piece, with one track released each month as the full story of the album unfolds. The most recent track to debut is “The Last Man Alive,” inspired by the classic Rip Van Winkle folk tale.
“The Last Man Alive” follows a story format about a man who wakes up to find himself, as one could guess, the last man alive. With lively vocals and whimsical tones, the track is truly an entertaining story in itself. The song breaks into guitar solos and maintains a bouncing musical undertone as the protagonist’s story unfolds.
The Fool’s Journey follows a protagonist as he falls down the rabbit hole of love, leaving his private sunny abode. Throughout the album, he faces challenges, riddles, romance, and hardship. Through it all, however, The Fool learns to face those hardships and comes to represent many facets of the human condition.
Strange Weather cites bombastic 90s rock, 70s Afrobeat, and spaghetti western, among others, as inspiration for their indie rock project. Strange Weather is led by songwriter and producer Sean Brennan, and includes Callie Brennan (vocals), Paul Peglar (keys and vocals), Philip Ambuel (bass), Alex Beckmann (drums and percussion), Isaac Gardner (drums and percussion), Evan Hamaguchi (saxophone), and Ethan Fox (tablas).
