In turn, the bar is set very high for the 2017 edition — now a three-day event — which returns to Citi Field from Sept. 15 to 17. While the lineup has not yet been announced, more than 60 performers are promised among the four stages.
Information on tickets, vendors and how to volunteer for The Meadows can be found at www.themeadowsnyc.com.
2016 was a breakout year for critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Frances in her native England. Following the success of her 2015 single “Grow,” Frances was nominated for both the BBC Sound Of 2016 and the BRITs Critic Choice Awards. She also performed at major music festivals and her music was streamed over 100 million times.
2017 is shaping up to be Frances’ United States breakthrough as last month brought the release of her contribution to the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, “What Is Love?” Mar. 17 is the release date for Frances’ debut full-length, Things I’ve Never Said, as featuring collaborations with Greg Kurstin, Jimmy Napes and Howard Lawrence. In support of Things I’ve Never Said, Frances returns to New York for a Mar. 27 performance downtown at Joe’s Pub.
Downtown had the privilege of conducting Q&A with Frances in advance of her U.S. return, getting to learn more about the artist behind the music. More on Frances can be found at www.francesmusic.com.
Will this Joe’s Pub performance be your first ever gig in New York?
Frances: I’ve played a couple of shows there before. At Rockwood [Music Hall] and the Mercury Lounge. They’ve made me so excited to come back and play again because I find New York such an inspiring city!
Have you ever traveled to New York for pleasure?
Frances: Sadly, no. But it is a serious plan! I absolutely love it. I could definitely live there!
Is there a New York destination you hope to visit on this trip? Any favorite restaurants here?
Frances: I’m going to have to wander down Fifth Avenue, that’s a must. I’ll stop into Katz’s Deli — it would be rude not to — but I really want to do The High Line walk!
At what point in your career did you become just “Frances?”
Frances: At the very beginning, I think. My full name is Sophie Frances Cooke. But I really wanted a one-word artist name, and I felt “Sophie” looked a bit young on paper — lots of curly letters! Whereas Frances is more angular and I found it really fun to have a different name to walk onto stage with. It helped with stage fright at the very beginning.
Do you have a favorite single-named musician?
Frances: Gosh. Adele, Prince, Beyonce, Björk — the list goes on!
Do you have a favorite song on Things I’ve Never Said?
Frances: Probably “Grow.” It’s the first song I ever released so it feels very special to me. But I also love it as a song because I’ve never written a chorus melody like that since. It’s quite bizarre but works somehow!
What was the first song you recorded on Things I’ve Never Said?
Frances: I think that was also “Grow,” because I recorded it for my first EP. But of the new songs on the album, I think we started with one called “Don’t Worry About Me.”
Are there leftovers from the Things I’ve Never Said sessions? Around how many songs were written for the album?
Frances: So many leftovers! I think I wrote somewhere between 100 and 150 songs in the end. There are a couple that I’ve already put aside for my second album, though. I loved them but they were a little too mature for my first album. When I wrote them I knew straight away that they were for my second album!
How did you wind up working with Greg Kurstin? Was that an introduction from your label? Did you know of his band The Bird And The Bee?
Frances: It was an introduction from my label, yes. A very lucky introduction indeed! It was one of my favorite writing experiences ever, he’s just incredible. And yes! Not until after our session, but I absolutely love the music. I think my favorite is “Will You Dance?”
Touring aside, what’s coming up for you in 2017?
Frances: I’m touring a lot, which is very exciting! I’m also doing some writing for other artists, which I absolutely love. I’m working on some potential collaborations which is seriously fun. I’d love to write for some more movies after my 50 Shades Darker experience, and I’ll be scheming for my second album! It’s going to be a fun year, I think.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
Frances: Hilariously, music! I always play music in the house, whatever I’m doing really. My family have some beautiful dogs so I love spending time with them, and my family, of course! I love going to the theater, watching movies, watching 10 episodes of Criminal Minds in one sitting. I love cooking, too. Normal stuff, really!
What was your favorite album on 2016?
Frances: Oh, that’s tricky. I love the 1975 album, Chance The Rapper, Beyoncé, Drake, new Radiohead. So many. If I had to pick one, it would probably be Lemonade.
Finally, Frances, any last words for the kids?
Frances: Stay in school and follow your dreams!
In a city with seemingly-endless great dining options, sometimes it can be challenging to pick a restaurant. On top of that, if you are going out with other people with dietary restrictions and/or preferences, it may be hard work to find a place to accommodate everyone involved. Fortunately, a place like Gotham West Market exists, providing an excellent mix of top-notch food and drinks, cafeteria-style seating and a relaxed overall atmosphere.
Called “heaven on earth” by New York Magazine and one of the “50 Coolest Places In NYC” by Complex Magazine, Gotham is popular among foodies and tourists alike. It recently played host to a launch event for Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman’s Stubborn Soda. Its list of vendors includes the sushi fushion of Uma Temakeria, the healthy options of Indie Fresh, the top-rated ice cream of Ample Hills Creamery, the acclaimed Blue Bottle Coffee, the meat and cocktails-oriented The Cannibal, the tapas of El Colmado, the American roadside-influenced GENUINE Roadside, the authentic ramen of Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, and the Mexican fare of Choza Taqueria. It may be easy to label Gotham West Market as “an upscale food court,” yet that description shortcharges the quality of what is on-site.
Downtown had the opportunity to speak with representatives from almost all of Gotham West’s vendors. So much great content was offered up that the second part of those Q&As will post at a later date. In the meantime, more info on Gotham West Market can be found at www.gothamwestmarket.com; the market is also active on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Within the past few years, New York City has become host to a number of upscale foodcourts. To you, what makes Gotham Market different from the others?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: Gotham Market has a genuine sense of community. Not only were we the first to jump into this idea of a communal dining market, we did it with a diverse offering of options. It’s a place where you can be just as comfortable popping in for a quick lunch, an after-work cocktail, a casual dinner or a leisurely brunch.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: I think a lot of people who are building/constructing their own food halls have looked to Gotham Market for inspiration and as the pioneer of New York City food courts. Maybe not the first on the scene, however they are certainly the most influential. I think Chris and the Gotham team have built a uniquely-special place where people can gather as regulars or for events and have it feel equally appropriate. All of the operators here are friends and we look forward to seeing each other at work. Isn’t that the way its supposed to be? It is to me these days. Have fun at work.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: To me it is still the best market available. We have enough seating to accommodate the number of vendors, the variety is varied enough to satisfy almost anyone, without compromising on quality.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Gotham Market is small and highly-curated…I think this creates a sense of community among the restaurants lucky enough to be there, and this feeling carries over to customers. There’s a collective energy at Gotham that feels missing in some of the other larger, more sprawling food courts in the city.
How did your restaurant wind up in Gotham Market?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We had always planned on opening a casual tapas bar and were looking for locations when the developers approached us about being a part of the market. All over Spain there are great markets that have small tapas stalls and the idea of Gotham West Market really resonated with us.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: My good friend Chef Seamus Mullen and my partner Matt Wagman’s friend Christian of Cannibal, both were in the market already, suggested we pursue the vacancy. Gotham was looking for concepts that had chef presence and would serve the Gotham clientele and residents in a meaningful way we felt we would fit in well.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Through networking and contacts with other current vendors.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: The folks at Gotham reached out to us and invited us to be there.
How would you describe your restaurant to someone who hasn’t yet been there?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We are a traditional tapas bar with a small kitchen behind the counter and a great mix of classic Spanish tapas paired with an approachable, affordable and well-curated wine program.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Choza is my take on a fast casual Mexican restaurant. The focus is on big flavors with some creative takes on classics. Like carnitas, but flavored with tamarind and chipotle. Tacos are the core of what we do but we also offer salads, bowls, tortas and burritos.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Uma Temakeria is a sustainably sourced made to order sushi concept.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Ample Hills is an ice cream shop dedicated to making playful, fun flavors that transport people back in time to their childhood, and that joy of discovery we all felt the first time we had a scoop of ice cream. We like to tell stories with ice cream flavors, and each of our shops has a flavor unique to that location. Gotham’s is Hell’s Kitchen Sink, an ode to the neighborhood, and the Irish past. It’s a Guinness dark chocolate ice cream with toffee, brownies and cookie dough. We make everything from scratch, including the mix-ins, in Brooklyn.
Do you have a favorite item on your menu?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We always have fun, different riffs on deviled eggs. I’m a huge egg fan so this is definitely my one of my go-to tapas.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Tortilla soup!
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: The Luke’s Lobster temaki or sushi burrito.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: For me it’s probably our “SNAP, MALLOW, POP!” flavor. It’s basically a deconstructed rice krispie treat. We melt hundreds of pounds of marshmallows into the ice cream base and then we make our own krispie crunch mix-in. It tastes like the first time you had a rice krispie treat as a kid.
Aside from your restaurant, what is your favorite dining spot in New York City?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: I’m a huge sushi fan and I love Ichimura at Brushstroke and Shuko. I’m also a big fan of Little Park in Tribeca.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: I always choose my restaurants…so after that, Mary’s Fish Camp. I’m a diehard supporter. I have always loved being there. Oysters and a grilled Pompano — when they have it available — are my favorites!
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: I love Umi No Ie.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: That’s tough. There are so many great spots in New York. It changes all the time, but maybe Battersby in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.
When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: I’m a cyclist so I’m always on my bike, whether racing, traveling or commuting. I’ve also been hard at work finishing my second cookbook, Real Food Heals, which will come out in August of next year.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Spending time with Ela, my daughter is the most fun. After that, I still play a lot of bass guitar still. I just bought an effects board so now I am totally engulfed in weird sounds I can make with my bass.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Mostly with my family, or cycling.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Playing with my kids. They are 7 and 10 and at the perfect age of still — mostly — wanting to play and hang out. Go to the movies, playgrounds, day trips.
Do you have tickets to any upcoming concerts?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: Talib Kweli at Brooklyn Bowl in November!
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Time Stand Still, the RUSH documentary about their 40 years together…will the be nerdiest group of people in one room possible. I can’t wait!
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: I just say Chance The Rapper and Kanye at the Meadows. Nothing immediately planned.
At one point you had games tables/ping pong at Gotham West. How have you seen the crowd dynamic and/or clientele shift since then?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We’re less of a clubhouse and more of a proper place to have a meal and hang out.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: The market has always been a family-friendly place. It seems to be a bit more inline with what the operators are serving without the ping pong tables. Although I am an, self-proclaimed, excellent ping pong player.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: We still have games! Can you say Hungry Hungry Hippos?
Finally, any last words for the kids?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: Come and cozy up! The Market is a great place to graze and lazy on an autumn day.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Eat tacos!
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: This is the best market to bring your friends, plenty of room to hang out.
SonReal may be new to the United States as a touring major label artist, but he has been at it for a decade in his native Canada. The Vancouver-based artist’s career really took off in 2013 when his video for “Hometown” was nominated for Much Music Video Awards’ Hip-Hop Video Of The Year and his recording “The Closers” came up for a Juno Award for Rap Recording Of The Year. Additional high-profile nominations followed in 2014 and 2015, and a writer at MTV News referred to SonReal as “Drake’s Biggest Competition at the Juno Awards.” Now signed to Capitol Records, SonReal recently released his The Name EP and its single “Can I Get A Witness” has already sold gold in Canada.
In support of The Name, SonReal will be in town for an Oct. 9 gig at The Emporium, touring alongside Mike Stud. SonReal — whose civilian name is Aaron Hoffman — caught up with Downtown about The Name, his show in Patchogue and plenty more.
The artist can be visited online at www.iamsonreal.com, while SonReal also keeps up accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+.
Who was the first person to call you SonReal?
SonReal: My friend D-Man.
What was the writing process for your EP like?
SR: I took my time and took all the steps to building the songs the way I saw them in my mind. But at the same time, some of the songs were the fastest tracks I’ve ever written. I wanted to have fun with this EP and show my listeners a new side of me so I approached my writing and recording with that in mind.
Did you write the songs in a series of sessions over time?
SR: Yes — over the span of one year!
Was the creative process more improvisation-based?
SR: Yes! On many of the songs, I did the scratch vocal first take to a piano melody or whatever, and that’s what we ended up using for parts of the actual song! Funny how sometimes your initial instinct is sometimes the best.
Where was your first-ever performance in New York City? What do you remember about it?
SR: Yeah, I headlined at Studio Room at Webster Hall and there was like 100 people there. It was actually really fun.
Did you ever travel to New York before your career took off?
SR: No, but I always wanted to and dreamed of performing in New York. All my favorite rappers were from New York: Nas, Capone-N-Noreaga, Mobb Deep…I loved New York rap growing up
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York City? Or if not, is there one you hope to go to while you’re in town?
SR: I had some good sushi there once that was really good, but I forget the name of the restaurant.
For someone thinking of coming to see you on Long Island, what should be expected from your live show?
SR: A roller coaster. My music is all so different — there are emotional moments to turn up loose your mind moments. You just have to see it! I love performing, it’s one of my favorite things about my job.
Do you perform any music besides what’s on your recent EPs and mixtapes?
SR: Yeah, for sure. Lots of other stuff.
How did you hook up with Jon Bellion, who’s also on Capitol? Did your label introduce you two?
SR: His manager actually knew about my stuff for a long time. I never knew Jon before the tour, but that guy is one of the realest people I’ve met in this industry, and he’s someone I call a good friend.
Do you have a favorite song to perform live?
SR: “No Warm Up” or “Soho” or “All I Got.”
Do you have plans to write for other artists?
SR: Yup! That’s next as soon as my album’s out.
Or do you have your eye on any sort of creative career besides being a performer?
SR: Directing and acting with my dudes.
Is there a professional accomplishment you’re most proud of?
SR: “Can I Get A Witness” just went Gold here in Canada. That is a HUGE one. Me and my manager talked about it for years.
Beyond the performance itself, what’s your favorite part of touring?
SR: Seeing new places and shooting cool content in them.
When not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
SR: With family, skateboarding, ping pong, working out, watching murder case documentaries.
What’s your favorite album of 2016 so far?
SR: Chance The Rapper’s Coloring Book
Finally, any last words for the kids?
SR: I love you all. Follow my socials at @TheRealSonReal.