A 2016 musical biography tributing composer Astor Piazzolla is coming to Joe’s Pub in early August.
“That’s Not Tango – Astor Piazzolla, A Life In Music” was written by Lesley Karsten and Stephen Wadsworth and is unique not only in its premises, but in its casting as well. Piazzolla, whose life the story depicts and celebrates, is played by a woman. Karsten is cast in the role, and she plays a compelling and fierce Piazzolla, giving audiences a deeper look into the composer’s life.
The show, which originally ran last summer at SubCulture, returns this summer at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater on August 5 and 6. It offers a narrative on Piazzolla’s life, beginning with his childhood on the Lower East Side and all the way up to his death in Argentina in 1992.
“I hope people develop a personal relationship with the music and understand what it meant to him,” Karsten has said. “I want audiences to experience the man behind its urgency and power.”
The story is a depiction of Piazzolla’s life and the revolution of the tango with music and storytelling throughout. His music is performed in the show by JP Jofre on bandoneon, Brandt Fredriksen on piano and Nick Danielson on violin.
Tickets are $30 and available online at the Public Theater box office, located at 425 Lafayette St, or on their website.
Photos courtesy of Joe’s Pub and BR Public Relations
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.
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!
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.
A five-time winner at the Danish Music Awards — including Best Album, Best Songwriter and Best Female Artist — Agnes Obel’s first two albums went platinum in several European countries. Her latest release, 2016’s Citizen Of Glass, continues that streak of success, going on to become Agnes’ first top 40 album in the U.K. territory. The United States also has its fair share of Agnes Obel fans, as Pretty Little Liars and The Leftovers have both used her music in episodes and director David Lynch opted to remix a song from 2014’s Aventine.
In support of Citizen Of Glass, Agnes began a North American tour on Feb. 28 in Montreal. Before reaching SXSW for three days of performances, Agnes will be performing at Le Poisson Rouge on Mar. 11. Onstage, she will be joined by Charlotte Danhier (cello, loops, vocals, mellotron, drums, uke), Catherine de Blasio (drums, vocals, bass clarinet, percussion), and Kristina Koropecki (cello, loops, vocals, percussion). In turn, concert-goers will be able to hear the music of Agnes Obel just like it is known to sound on record.
Downtown conducted Q&A with Agnes in advance of her tour’s launch. More on Agnes and her music can be found at www.agnesobel.com. The acclaimed singer/songwriter and producer can also be followed via Twitter and Facebook.
What do you remember about the first time you ever played in New York? Where was it?
Agnes Obel: I think it was at Joe’s Pub. In the winter 2010/2011. A tiny stage with a grand piano.
Agnes Obel: I’ve been to New York to shoot a video once and to visit friends.
A lot of people think of you as a classical artist due to your training and the production of your recorded music. Were you ever in a rock band? Did you ever jam with other musicians while a student?
Agnes Obel: I have been in different bands before I began recording and releasing my own music. I really enjoyed the feeling of being in a band and, yes, we jammed sometimes. I still try to keep this vibe of being a group with the band I play with now.
What was the first album you purchased with your own money?
Agnes Obel: It was a record by Sade. I bought at a fleemarjet in Copenhagen.
And what was the first pop or rock concert you ever attended?
Agnes Obel: It was a concert with the Danish all-female band called Miss B. Haven at a small venue called Huset. I was 11, I think, and was there with my mom and her friend.
Agnes Obel: I’m really happy with the track “Red Virgin Soil.”
Citizen Of Glasswas your first album to chart in the UK Top 40, which must have been a thrill. Is there a career accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Agnes Obel: I’m really happy with having the song “Fuel To Fire” remixed by David Lynch.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
Agnes Obel: I like hanging out with friends and my dog, Woody. Also, love going to the cinema.
Is there something you wish more people knew about Agnes Obel?
Agnes Obel: Can’t really think of what that should be. It’s good to keep some things for yourself.
Finally, who’s the best Danish artist our readers may not know?
Jean “Django” Reinhardt was a Belgian-born French jazz guitarist. While he passed away over 60 years ago, Django remains one of the most popular guitarists of all time as many of his compositions have become jazz standards. The list of guitarists he influenced includes Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, George Benson, B.B. King, Carlos Santana, Frank Zappa and Stevie Ray Vaughn; the Allman Brothers Band song “Jessica” was notably written by Dickey Betts in tribute to Django. Another film about Django is set for theatrical release in the coming months.
On Mar. 3, the Django A Gogo Music Festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary with a show at Carnegie Hall. Performers will include headliner Stephane Wrembel, American fusion hero Al Di Meola, Dutch-born Stochelo Rosenberg, David Gastine, Ryan Montbleau, Larry Keel, Nick Anderson, Thor Jensen and Ari Folman-Cohen. Django A Gogo started with an intimate concert at the Brooklyn spot Barbes, later growing to Joe’s Pub, now touring around beyond moving into larger venues like Carnegie. This year’s run also includes the Django A Gogo Music Camp, which has master classes in Maplewood, New Jersey.
Downtown spoke with Stephane, Al, Stochelo and Larry to learn more about Django’s influence, the Mar. 3 event, and what else they have coming up. More info on all Django A Gogo-related events can be found at www.djangoagogo.com. Stephane Wrembel can be visited at www.stephanewrembel.com.
Do you remember the first time you heard Django Reinhardt?
Al Di Meola: First time I heard about him when I was 19 and played with Return To Forever in Europe.
Larry Keel: I discovered the music of Django when I was about six or seven years old, and my family was big into the first generation bluegrass greats, like Don Reno; he was an ultra pioneering banjo player — and flatpicking guitar player — who covered a lot of Django’s songs on the banjo. No one else in country and folk music was doing that at the time, and it really made an impression on me and on a lot of people in the Bluegrass culture of the 1960s and 70s.
Stephane Wrembel: I grew up in the Fontainebleau’s area in France, where Django was based. I have always heard of him and his music since I grew up. In this part of France you are raised in the sounds of his music! I remember clearly the first time I rediscovered him as a musician. I was 17 and wanted to study guitar in depth, so Django was the obvious next step. I bought the record Djangologie 49 and listened to “Minor Swing” for the first time. It was maybe the greatest musical shock I have ever had — I had never heard those notes or those rhythms before.
Stochelo Rosenberg: When I was a little kid, we played his records all the time.
AD: I love the improvisation parts of all of them.
LK: I love “Nuages.”
SW: My favorite composition by Django Reinhardt is for sure “Nuages.”
SR: My favorite song is the most famous song he composed, “Nuages,” because it is a fantastic melody. I like the melody very much.
Stephane Wrembel
Any idea what you’ll be performing at this tribute show?
AD: This year we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Elegant Gypsy.
LK: Lots of Django and the Hot Club Of Paris-type tunes, I’m sure. And I’m hoping I get to jump on any originals from Al Di Meola and any of the other iconic artists involved in the concert.
SW: This show is a concept: Django guitar masters and non-Django guitar masters performing Django’s music and non-Django music. For example, we are going to play “Nuages” with Stochelo Rosenberg, Al Di Meola and Larry Keel. Al and Larry are not Django players, but will provide an incredible and unique angle to this song. It will be fresh and new!
Also, Stochelo, Al and I will perform “Mediterranean Sundance,” Al Di Meola’s hit from Friday Night In San Francisco. You will also hear a lot of Django’s compositions, “Bistro Fada” — soundtrack from Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris — a couple of old French songs and waltzes which are at the base of Django’s virtuosic style, “Spain” by Chick Corea, etc. It will be the most amazing guitar adventure one can think of!
SR: I discussed this with Stephane Wrembel. It will be a mix of own compositions by all of us. Also some jazz standards as well as Django Reinhardt standards.
Have you ever performed alongside anyone else on the bill?
LK: I’ve had the pleasure of performing with Stephane Wremble in a guitar “super jam” that I coordinated at Rooster Walk Festival in Virginia. He blew my mind!
SW: Besides my band members, I have performed with Larry Keel, Ryan Montbleau and Nick Driscoll. I only jammed with Al Di Meola and Stochelo Rosenberg.
SR: I never played with Stephane Wrembel or Al Di Meola on stage. But I did play many times with David Gastine in France.
Larry Keel
Tribute show aside, what’s coming up for you career-wise?
LK: Currently I’m involved in a lot of songwriting, on my own and co-writes with several great composers. I’m continually touring my own trio, The Larry Keel Experience, and I’ve got several unique collaborative ensembles that I lead or take part in throughout the calendar year. Lots of festivals and concert spaces all over the U.S. and beyond.
SW: Two new albums to be released the day of the Carnegie show, another one to be recorded in April in Mexico, and a lot of touring!
SR: Of course the Django movie. I composed some songs for the Django movie. It will be released in April, so that will be a good project for the Rosenberg Trio.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
AD: I’m spending time with my one-year old daughter Ava.
LK: I’m into being outdoors, mostly. Fishing, walking gardening, cooking, exercising, loving on family.
SW: Philosophy, meditation and painting.
SR: Mostly when I don’t have concerts I don’t touch the guitar, maybe one or two weeks. I like to work a bit on the guitar though, new compositions…but actually I am too busy with the family, taking care of the children.
LK: I wish I could remember all the names of the killer places I’ve enjoyed in that city over many years. I’m always into finding a new favorite every visit. In dining as with music, I like anything with authenticity and soul.
AD: If you want to be successful in music or anywhere else, shut your phone off and focus on what you want to achieve.
LK: If I’m speaking to kids involved in music — and I sincerely hope EVERY kid gets exposed to music whether to play or appreciate any kind and all kinds of excellent music — then I’d say to apply yourself seriously to your practice. Challenge yourself to learn and master techniques, but find your own “voice” with your voice or your instrument. Above all, enjoy every note of the music you play. My motto is: “Serve the music.” That’s deep, huh?!
SW: Like my mum said to us as kids when we didn’t want to practice our classical piano: “Music is part of education. No matter what you do with it later, it will affect you in very positive ways forever.” She was right.
SR: If they like to play Django music, they must listen to Django. That is the first thing they should do. How Django played and also the rhythm guitar, like Joseph. I think the first step to learn gypsy jazz style is to go back and listen to Django.
Singer, songwriter and author Storm Large first found notoriety as a finalist on the singing competition show Rock Star: Supernova. In the 10 years since her reality TV tenure, things have been non-stop for the Portland resident. Beyond touring with Pink Martini, Storm has become an in-demand vocalist with many of the world’s top orchestras, performing recent engagements with the New York Pops, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, RTÉ Dublin, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. She has also released three full-length albums and a plethora of singles since appearing on CBS.
The theatrical world also embraced her, as she starred in Portland Center Stage’s production of Cabaret with Wade McCollum. Such led to a touring version of the show playing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Adelaide Festival in Australia, and Joe’s Pub in New York. Around that same time, Storm’s 2012 memoir Crazy Enough — a Simon & Schuster release — was an Oprah’s Book of the Week and was awarded the 2013 Oregon Book Award for Creative Nonfiction. Thus, success in music, theater and literature.
In support of her Dec. 19 show at Feinstein’s/54 Below, Downtown had the opportunity to do some Q&A with Storm. Not only is Storm talented and driven, but she is also very personable. Her Manhattan show is set to include holiday favorites — including “2000 Miles,” “Hallelujah” and “Sock It To Me Santa” — and, as she hinted at, some special guests. Storm can be followed on Twitter via @StormOf69 and visited online at www.stormlarge.com.
A lot of people first learned about you from Rock Star: Supernova. The aftermath of that show was said to be a disaster as far as the supergroup went, but was it a pleasant experience for you?
Storm Large: It was an insane experience, but I learned a lot in those three months. I still have a few fans — here and there — from that show, but thankfully, the fever pitch of intense TV fame I had has passed. That is some scary energy, television fame.
Since a lot people discovered you from the CBS show, but you now do a lot of work in theater and with orchestras. How did you bridge the gap from rock to a more upscale world?
SL: I had been a rock/cabaret performer for 15 years before the show –hashtag: old — so the theater wasn’t much of a leap. Symphonies were a surprise turn because of the amount of music education I lack. I cannot read music, only have an anecdotal understanding of theory, would rather listen to The Clash than Cole Porter, etc. If I had to guess, it would be my experiences on club stages, telling stories and being a natural ham type of showman gave me the gall to step in front of my first orchestras. Then it took people smarter and more talented than I — Thomas Lauderdale, James Beaton, Leonard Slatkin, Steven Reineke, Michael Feinstein — telling me I was actually great in the genre, and need to keep exploring it.
Pink Martini is said to be one of the harder gigs for a vocalist, given all the genres and languages involved. What sort of audition or test was needed to get in with them?
SL: (laughs) Audition? Thomas MADE me do it! I told him at least 17 times, “NO, I can’t, too hard, China [Forbes] is brilliant, I can NOT do what she does,” and so on. However, China had injured her vocal cords, and the band was in a serious situation. I only did it, at first, because I love China and Thomas. I did it as a favor, thinking I would be a miserable failure, China would get better, come back and we just could chalk it up to a learning experience.
So I learned…crammed, actually…10 songs in five languages in four days, for my first ever concert with them. Four sold-out shows at The Kennedy Center. Never was I more terrified as a performer. I don’t remember much, but afterwards, Thomas asked me to be a lead vocalist, swapping tours with China.
You sing, you act, you write…How do you usually go about describing what you do for a living?
SL: I usually say, “I sing, and talk a lot of shit.”
What do you remember about the first show you ever performed in New York? Where was it?
SL: Limelight, 1989, sang “Happy Birthday” onstage to my friend Tommy — who was playing that night — and the place went nuts. Afterwards the owner nicknamed me “Janis” and I never paid a cover there again.
For your upcoming show at 54 Below, what should be expected? A mix of songs from your career?
SL: Yup, plus some new holiday favorites, and some snazzy guests if I can talk them into singing on their night off…
Do you have a favorite song to perform live?
SL: It changes all the time. Right now I’m loving a French song Sean Lennon wrote for the film, A Monster In Paris. The song is “La Seine.”
Beyond the show at 54 Below, what’s coming up for you in your career?
SL: Flights, snacks, naps, SING! Flights, snacks, naps, SING! I’m taking some time off next year to write and rest a bit, reset my creative head/heart. I’m due to write another book. I am also writing lyrics and some music for a musical about a storied brothel in Chicago at the turn of the 20th Century. True story about a gentlemen’s club run by women called, The Everleigh Club.
Is there a field you haven’t yet worked in but still hope to?
SL: Politics.
When not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
SL: Get some sleep, do some yoga, get laid…Not easy seeings as my only free time happens on airplanes.
Downtown had the pleasure of interviewing Guitar Mash’s musical director Mark Stewart to preview last year’s event at City Winery. After hearing how well the event did, and that the 5th Annual edition of Guitar Mash was booked for a Dec. 11 return to City Winery, it was obvious that another feature had to be done by Downtown.
Taking place from 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM, this year’s lineup not only features Mark, but also singer/songwriter Dar Williams, newgrass pioneer Sam Bush, blues master Bill Sims Jr., singer/songwriter (and Sting backing musician) Jo Lawry, Steely Dan sideman Jon Herington, singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur, and the voice of the Tunisian revolution, Emel. Prior Guitar Mash events have featured the likes of Kaki King, The Roots’ “Captain” Kirk Douglas, Wilco’s Nels Cline, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, and The Patti Smith Band’s Lenny Kaye.
Q&A with conducted with the aforementioned Mark Stewart, Jo Lawry, Emel, and event producer Rebecca Weller over e-mail, as arranged by GreenHouse Publicity’s John Seroff. Tickets to “The Best Concert You Ever Headlined” can be purchased through Eventbrite, while more info on Guitar Mash itself can be found at www.guitarmash.com.
Jo Lawry: I was invited by the wonderful Mark Stewart, who I met when we toured together with Sting and Paul Simon.
Emel: They got in touch with me about two months ago, I think. I hadn’t heard of such a thing before. It sounded funny to me at first to be performing while people will be jamming, but it’s just wonderful. I think it’s a very cool concept.
What is your favorite part of working with Guitar Mash?
Mark Stewart: Everyone playing and singing together.
Rebecca Weller: Ear to ear smiles. Great songs are irresistible. And I LOVE when someone who came without a guitar one year, comes back the next with an instrument in hand.
Jo Lawry: Well, I can’t say for sure yet, as it’s my first time! But the house band is mostly made up of guys I know and love, like David Cossin and Rob Schwimmer, so I’m really looking forward to playing with them again. And Mark Stewart is able to turn anything into a magical party!
Emel: Interacting with people. We never connect enough with each other, the musicians as well as the crowd and with the live-streaming people from all over the world!
What else is coming up for you besides Guitar Mash?
Jo Lawry: I’m currently deep in the thick of making my third solo album, and I’m running a PledgeMusic campaign for that, which is super-fun, and is giving me a chance to engage a lot more with my audience. I’m also going to flee the New York winter in a few weeks for my homeland of Australia, to enjoy the summer there, to hang out with my awesome family and do a few shows.
Emel: I will be releasing my new album Ensen on Partisan Records on Feb. 24. An album with very modern sound experimentations, marrying berber and north african inspirations and percussions with electronic and cinematic soundscapes. I co-produced it with four different collaborators, such as Iceland’s Valgeir Siguròsson. The release party will be held on the release day at Joe’s Pub and a U.S. tour will start in May.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
Mark Stewart: Walking and digging — what is actually going on? Swimming, too.
Jo Lawry: We just adopted some stray kittens, so they are providing a huge distraction from all the musical and non-musical things that I should be doing! Also, I have my own backyard for the first time in my life, so I am getting way into gardening. Also, I like to needlepoint. Yes, I am aware of how much like a grandma those last two make me sound.
Emel: Discovering great visual art, whether in real galleries or on Instagram. Watching independent movies — I saw an excellent one recently, two trains running about the parallel of great blues musicians stories and the black rights movements in the 60’s.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
Mark Stewart: Our kitchen. My wife Karen and I love to cook.
Jo Lawry: Supper in the East Village is an old favorite of mine, and in my Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, I love Saraghina.
Emel: Hot Jalapeño, a great Mexican spot in Harlem where the food the music and the service are good, which is a real rarity in New York!
Finally, any last words for the kids?
Mark Stewart: Play and sing music with your buddies. It’s cool. Then make a meal together. Just as cool.
Rebecca Weller: Well, as a mom, I tell my kids to PLAY MUSIC like other people tell their kids to EAT VEGETABLES. I don’t care what instrument, I don’t care what kind of music, just play something. And listening is really important. Listen to all kinds of music, even if you think you’re going to hate it. If we only ate Italian food all the time, think of what we’d be missing out on!
Jo Lawry: Don’t be afraid to look or sound stupid! Here’s a dirty little secret: I only started playing guitar at age 33! To be honest, I’m still pretty scared every time I have to play it in public, but facing those fears is so worth it for the things I learn each time. Keep at it!
Emel: Believe as much as you can in yourself, in your power, in your ideas, in who you are. It might sound easy, but I think that’s where it all starts and that’s what events, people, and societies try to steal away from you all along the way.
Photos courtesy of Joe’s Pub and BR Public Relations
