Why Go Out?
If you don't look for inspiration, you prob won't find it
Sometimes I forget why it is that many nights a week I cross the city, fighting traffic or facing subway snafus, to find my way to some random spot or another, often places I’ve never been to, often by myself. And then, as I sit in a little place, sipping on my Mezcal, listening to musicians play their hearts out, it becomes quite clear: I have traveled there very clearly for inspiration.
It can be hard to find inspiration in this world. One has to believe in the possibility of it, and actively seek it out. Last week, I sought it out, and I found it. I found it in the little Five and Dime in the lobby of the old Woolworth Building, listening to Lauren Lee’s powerful often wordless vocals alongside Justin Wert’s beautiful guitar, then found it again the next night taking in Dayna Kurtz belting it out with her band, Lulu and the Broadsides, at Joe’s Pub.
Above: Lauren Lee and Justin Wert at the Five and Dime
Above: Dayna Kurtz with Lulu and the Broadsides featuring Julie Crafton on backup vocals, Randy Crafton on drums, Robert Mache on guitar/vocals, Dave Richards on bass, and Bill Malchow on accordion and piano, at Joe’s Pub
It is the bravery of musicians surely that inspires. To show up with your voice and/or an instrument and to share these skills you’ve built with a bunch of strangers takes chutzpah, or “nerve,” however you want to put it. But there is something else that I am always amazed by and that’s the sheer audacity musicians possess to push through their own issues to show up at that place and offer people a chance to live vicariously through their public form of expression.
I very much lived vicariously through Lauren Lee. I had felt the forcefulness of her bravado at Opportunity House, when she joined me there on International Jazz Day. To show up at a homeless shelter with no idea what to expect, to share your vocal talents with no clue how they might be received…but her genuine expressiveness was contagious, and she got everyone in the room to copy her in a call and response. And I felt that same energy at Five and Dive. When someone is obviously compelled to do what they do, to move around in the world looking for places to do it, it is certainly inspiring.
I had no idea what to expect with Dayna Kurtz, but I was similarly blown away by the force of her unwavering spirit on stage. It was clear by the crowd around me that so many people had followed her performances for decades, and were deeply motivated by her. By both her lyrics and booming captivating vocals, indeed even by the seeming strength of her swaying hips, she commanded a sort of heart-racing attentiveness. It was fun to watch the young radiant Julia Crafton on stage with her, imagining what it must be like for such an incredible talent to take you under wing as a mentor.
To move an audience, to have them in your grips for a few hours, captivated…it’s a sure feat at any time but especially in this day and age where attention spans are so fragmented and fragile, where focus seems hard to come by. It was like a much-needed break to fall into Dayna’s world for a while, and to imagine living there, freely.
Good music is like that, providing one with a place to go for a while, to forget but also to remember: we are strong, we are capable, we can find harmony if we come together and try, if we move fluidly together:)
Later in the week I hit Bar LunAtico with friends to see the awesome SuperYamba band and again I remembered how wonderful it can be to escape into this rhythmic world created by these wonderful artists. Another week of being inspired:)
LISTENUP NYC CALENDAR FOR WEEK OF JUNE 17-JUNE 23
monday, june 17
Genovese Family
Bar LunAtico
Sets at 9 PM + 10:15 PM
Leo plays piano with Daniel Blake on guitar, Tim Hagans on trumpet, Sean Conly on bass, and Ian Froman on drums. Will be AMAZING. And it’s true, if you go early for the yummy food, you’ll get a better seat, and being by the front in this room ROCKS (literally.)
tuesday, june 18
SpacePilot
Jazz Habitat
7 PM
The night I first saw SpacePilot at what is now called “Radio Nublu” lives in infamy. I wish I could be standing there again taking in Joe’s drumming, Leo’s piano, Elias’s guitar, and the various and sundry singers and percussionists who slowly joined them on that low stage, just stepping up, no break in between the music, adding in, adding on until it seemed like one’s heart could hardly handle it. The set ended at 2 am or so, maybe later and I hung around a bit before telling Joe I had to take off. He seemed shocked. “You’re not staying for the second set?” he asked. My kids were young then, had to be woken up for school and given breakfast in a few short hours. Sadly, I did not stay for the second set. This is my chance to see them again, and yours!
wednesday, june 19
Joe Hertenstein, with Lamy Istrefi and Jon Elbaz
Ornithology Jazz Club
10 PM
This trio will surely rock this lovely room…Joe Hertsenstein with Lamy Istrefi, drummer and percussionist, along with pianist Jon Elbaz.
If you’re Upstate…
Echo Rhythm Band
The Pines
7 PM
The former Hudson Nomads/now Echo Rhythm Band features guitarist Nikhil Yerawadekar with Matt Bauder on sax, Ben Zwerin on bass and Aaron Johnston on drums, playing some truly spectacular AfroBeats-inspired music. This cool Mt Tremper spot is always a blast. I danced my butt off last time I saw them play there… Go!
thursday, june 20
Summer Solstice Sacred Bloom Sound Bath
My Park Slope Apartment!
7 PM
If you haven’t yet come to one of my sound baths, maybe this is your week! Celebrate the Summer Solstice and melt into summer with the unique composition of sounds I play, from the kalimba to the Woodstock chime. Tune in…to yourself first and foremost. Think clearly as everything else but the sounds fall away!! Get info and RSVP at sacredbloomtribe.com/events
friday, june 21
Ana Tijoux/Ambar Lucid
Celebrate Brooklyn
7 PM
French/Chilean singer and rapper Ana Tijoux “weaves lush, golden-era Hip-Hop production with a full band that brings to life intricate arrangements spiced with a bit of politics.” So says Celebrate Brooklyn, which is featuring Tijoux on its lovely outdoor stage in Prospect Park along with Mexican, Dominican, and American singer/songwriter Ambar Lucid, who “captivates audiences with her indie pop/alternative Latin sound, and inimitable sonic storytelling that blends English and Spanish.” Sounds like a wonderful evening of powerful women…definitely try to hit this summer stage sometime, it’s pretty magical!
saturday, june 22
Silvia Nakkach Voice Class + Performance
VoxMundi@Yahoo.com for more Information
Despite having studied under vocal sound healing giant Silvia Nakkach, author of The Yoga of the Voice, for months during my Sound & Music Integration Certification at the Open Center, I have never encountered her greatness in person. Now’s my chance, and yours! Even on Zoom she is a commanding presence, her healing chants an inspiration for finding our own unique voice and using it to heal. Come for the class, or the performance, or both!!
sunday, june 23
In the city, try out NYC’s Free Summer Concert series with this Riverside Opera Company performance on the Great Lawn in Conference House Park on Staten Island. 4 PM-5:30 PM If you happen to be upstate, see Joe Hertenstein in Kingston, at the Shirt Factory, No. 18 at 4 PM (see flyer above). Either way, enjoy your summer Sunday!!
And that’s a wrap on this first week of true summer…enjoy!! If you feel compelled to become a paid subscriber, that’s awesome. If not, no biggie, am still offering all content to all people…
I would like to know what you like/what you don’t/what you’d want to see more or less of. I can take it! I’ve been putting this newsletter together for a bit, and would love to see if it’s interesting and/or helpful. Anybody actually attending any of these shows? I hope so! If you ever want to attend something with me, drop me a line for sure! Love sharing my love of music, and these amazing musicians!!
In peace + harmony,
Steph