The Acoustic Scene in NY

Lovely People,

I am fortunate enough to be friends with a gentleman who transcends the word talent. Hi name is Alex Berger. It is because of him that not only do I get to hear HIS wonderful music BUT I get introduced to his friends who make gorgeous, wonderful, beautiful and generally brilliant music. Some of whom you will hear of in the near future and others who you should go out of your way to listen to.

Alex was kind enough to write a personal snapshot of the growing and trailblazing New York acoustic scene. This is very unique for us seeing as he has a broad and experienced musical ear while being one of it's stalwarts.

Alex:

"

From my experience, having played in a number of major cities, I can say with conviction that the scene in New York right now is the strongest. The heart of the scene right now seems to orbit around Rockwood Music Hall on Allen Street. The place is packed every night, and recently opened a second, larger stage next door due to the demand. The format is simple. It's free to get in (there's an optional tip-jar that gets passed round for each artist) and the artists are all good. The word 'Hall' in the title is ironic as the original room is tiny. Packed in like sardines, you can get about 150ish people in there - with another 50 in a small room next door which they broadcast a live feed to. Some of my favourite venues in NYC - which always seem to be buzzing and full of life - are The Living Room, The Poisson Rouge, Cafe Vivaldi, Joe's Pub, Mercury Lounge (although this tends to be more rock-leaning than acoustic), The Highline Ballroom, City Winery and Pete's Candy Store (in Brooklyn).

Obviously it is the people and artists that make the scene what it is and there is a highly collaborative, friendly and welcoming feeling to the singer-songwriter crowd in particular - a genre/area of music where artists can end up feeling quite isolated in other scenes/ cities.

Everyone knows everyone else and it's almost like walking into 'Cheers' in some of these venues. There's a large number of fans who love and support pretty much all the artists in the scene and you can see them at most of the gigs.

There's also a good number of orchestral musicians who play in local orchestras and ensembles who have found work touring and gigging with a lot of these artists.

Main proponents are:

Amber Rubarth

Alex Wong

Adam Levy

Vienna Teng

Ari Hest

Jenny Owen Youngs

Nate Campany

Martin Rivas

Bess Rogers

The Spring Standards

Chris Cuffner

Deena Goodman (who created Rebel Spirit - a monthly charity night of acoustic music, usually introducing a newish act as well as having bigger names collaborate).

Ian Axel

Wes Hutchinson

"

Awesome words. Thanks dude

Johnny Flynn - He is the Wrote and the Writ

Johnny Flynn is one of those artist who get a special place in my audio anthology in my brain. I will pre-order ANYTHING he does and even buy the CD forever (as long as he doesn't get shit). So Been Listening IS COMING (you like how I did that?) on June 8th and so we are lucky enough to have a 5 track sampler to enjoy until then. HURRAH!

Johnny Flynn - Been Listening by cooperativemusic1

Kentucky Pill has a beautiful Phil Collins feel to it but DON'T let that put you off... Slightly more upbeat in feel that I was expecting, still ample use of strings (not fiddle. Strings). Continued usage of RICH (so easy to use this word in association with this man and the fruits of his loiny brain) harmonies makes me happy. Like the sunshine but more consistent and less likely to disappear everytime there is a public holiday.

The Water is JUST MAGICAL. The plink-plinking on the the plucked violins over slow, rolling and ebbing bowed arrangements basically refuses to let you ignore them. You got Johnny giving you sound of the woodland while Laura Marling offers a pixie-ish (give me another word for magic) ethereal balance that allows you to drift off to River Cottage and image the faery folk who live next to the brook living off Hugh's wild garlic. Lucky lucky fantasy people. I get the feeling that this is going to be highlight track. I'm EVEN more excited for the album now.

Churlish May - CHURLISH! TRUMPETS! *breaths deeply with a smile on face* ANY song that charts live and love directly against the Gregorian calendar is alright by me. This classic Johnny. Absolutely classic. Wonderfully dotted rhythm. Makes to want to upgrade from sawy to bob a little bit. AAAAAAAHAHAHAH love it. Summer's a-comin' people.

On the whole. Johnny is the UK's answer to many an American folk rock hero. Like everything done over here, there is less shouting and a'hollering, fewer people jumping on his bandwagon and probably will not have enough following from his target demographic to propel him to super-stardom as he might as the across-the-pond equivalent. He might not have a beard. He might not wear dungarees or marry Pamela Anderson but he is AWESOME. He can govern a mood. He will CAPTURE your curiosity. He WON'T fail you.

Go pick up his album at Rough Trade East and get a wristband for a mini gig in their store... But not before I get mine

There is growing scene in NYC at the moment spearheaded by the likes of ambeR Rubarth, Alex Wong, The Paper Raincoat, Alex Berger (look out for him in the London and the rest of the UK as he starts to promote his new studio album SnowGlobe - it is stunning... Did someone say Christmas Top 10), Vienna Teng and Ari Hest. If you even remotely like Johnny Flynn GO LISTEN TO THESE GUYS. Now. I'll give you my recommendations in a little bit fear not... just go have a look around yourself. These individuals and groups are what I would want any cross-Altantic pact to focus on. Blair and Bush got it wrong.