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Def Jam artist Troi Irons to appear at NYU on Apr. 7

Troi Irons

Troi Irons
Troi Irons

Troi Irons may be in her early 20s, but the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter is far from an overnight sensation. Her EP for Def Jam Recordings, Turbulence, has already gotten plenty of attention as the video for lead single “Today” was premiered by Interview Magazine. “Today” also has support from influential Seattle radio station 107.7 The End, which made the song its Discover And Download feature last week.

A few weeks after her trip to Austin for SXSW, Troi will be playing at NYU’s Bookstore on Apr. 7 at 6:00 PM. In addition to that show — which is free and open to the public — Troi will be back to Manhattan for a proper gig in the coming months. Downtown had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Troi not only about what’s coming up for her, but what drives her as a creative being. For more info on all things Troi Irons, follow her via Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram.

Where was the first gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?

Troi Irons: My first show was this little acoustic set in an old church. I think at that point, I was still blacking out. I heard I did well but I don’t remember anything. I know I had brussels sprouts beforehand.

Do you have a favorite song on your new EP?

Troi Irons: It’s hard for me to choose a favorite, since I wrote all the songs and they’re about life moments that actually happened. I will say “Worst Habit” is my favorite song to play live right now. It’s the big finale in my show.

Around how many songs did you write when preparing your EP?

Troi Irons: I think any musician writes at least 1,000 songs for their first work. I’ve been writing and recording songs for years. You have your entire life to create your first album but only a year to write your second.

This isn’t your first record deal. How did you wind up with a record deal the first time around? Did you have a manager or lawyer shopping you around?

Troi Irons: Right, my first deal was with Jive, which collapsed into RCA [Records]. My mom is a songwriter and she started co-managing me with her manager. They shopped our demo around — I was in a band with my twin — and we quickly got a buzz within the industry. It was super-easy compared to the second time around.

I’ve read that the first album you ever bought was by Green Day. Was that the band that also inspired you to play guitar?

Troi Irons: My grandparents bought me a guitar but I never played it. I actually picked up that guitar at 13 because we had just moved to L.A. and I was bored waiting for the semester to start. American Idiot was two years old by then so it was related but not causal.

How did you first become interested in producing? Do you have a home recording setup?

Troi Irons: Tyler, The Creator released “French” and I found it and was pretty crazy about it. I read the few interviews he had out and I thought, “Here’s this kid making his own beats and doing his own videos, living out his creative dreams — I can do that.” So I did. I saved up for a Mac and got Logic and ProTools and taught myself. I have a comfy home studio. Just got a new Prophet and Virus that I’m stoked about…

What’s coming up for you for the rest of 2017? Any idea if we’ll be seeing you live in New York anytime soon?

Troi Irons: I’ve got a few showcases at SXSW! I’ve never been so I’m pretty excited. I play the Melissa Etheridge & Friends Fest in Nashville after that. New York is happening first or second week of April. It’s funny, I didn’t know that until NYU Bookstore tagged me on Facebook in a post about my Apr. 6 performance. They gave it away.

Will you be touring solo? With a backing band?

Troi Irons: I’m definitely touring with a band. That’s what I grew up seeing, it’s such a fun dynamic. My upcoming album’s production will reflect that, some of my band members will probably be on the record. Jimmy Novocaine plays bass, Mike Avenaim is on drums, and Connor Doyle is backup guitarist. Not only are they great musicians, they’re also good people. That’s important since we’ll be living on top of each other for the next couple years.

When not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?

Troi Irons: I read a lot — never to escape though, just to think deeper. If I feel like escaping, I watch films, usually art house or foreign. I enjoy hiking too. Basically, I could be BFFs with your grandpa. (laughs)

What was your favorite album of 2016?

Troi Irons: Ah, man. Sufjan Stevens’ last release was in 2015. How am I supposed to give an honest answer here? I just checked and Julien Baker’s album came out in 2015 too. There were some amazing songs and visual art pieces in 2016. Not a lot of good albums, just for me personally.

You sent out a tweet on Feb. 20 saying “I think I finally found balance.” What inspired that?

Troi Irons: I work a lot. I’ve been supporting myself since I was 15. Everything is a task and a goal for me and it’s been hard for me to have fun. Even reading a book, sometimes I’ll be thinking, “This will bring new perspective and wisdom and then I can flip the situation I’m in and move further in my career.” I’ve had trouble shutting my career off. The more spiritual I become, the more God becomes the center of my life and I’m able to let go of that pressure — because I’m no longer the center of my life, it’s something higher. So that’s what I meant by, “I think I found balance.” I’ve finally become spiritual enough to worry about myself less.

Finally, Troi, any last words for the kids?

Troi Irons: Don’t live for any other person but yourself. The least selfish thing you can do is to take care of yourself.

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Culture Entertainment Music

Queensrÿche co-founder Geoff Tate to play City Winery on Feb. 20, talks to Downtown

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When it comes to Geoff Tate, forget everything you would expect from a hard rock vocalist. He has a multi-octave vocal range. He is very well-read. He makes wine. He enjoys the house restoration process. And 35 years after he co-founded Queensrÿche — whose hits like “Silent Lucidity,” “I Don’t Believe In Love” and “Jet City Woman” remain classic rock radio staples — Geoff is still touring and recording in peak form.

Geoff Tate makes a return to New York City on Feb. 20 with a headlining appearance at City Winery. As part of The Whole Story “Ryche” Acoustic Tour, Geoff will be fronting a seven-piece acoustic band and playing songs from all 17 of his albums. Downtown spoke with the Washington native about his City Winery appearance, his history with New York, and what else he has coming up. Beyond www.geofftate.com, more on Geoff Tate can be found by following him on Twitter via @GeoffTate.

Where was the first concert you ever played in New York City? What do you remember about it?

Geoff Tate: My first concert in New York City was at the Beacon Theatre in 1983. It was my first tour and everything was new and exciting. The theatre, at that time, was fairly run down and dirty. It smelled of stale beer, vomit, urine, cigarette smoke and sweat. The audience was young, angry and physical, punching the air with their fists in a staccato rhythm while my band baptized them with 115 decibels of metal.

You’ll be performing acoustically at City Winery. Does that change your vocal warm-ups or how you prepare for a gig?

GT: This Acoustic Tour is one of the most enjoyable tours I have ever done. The intimacy of the venue really showcases the players abilities and talent. The audience experiences the true emotion of the song in such detail. Every note and each breath is on display.

There are more people in your acoustic backing band than in your typical backing band, yet most artists perform acoustically in a scaled-down format. Is this your first acoustic tour?

GT: When I was in Queensrÿche, we regularly performed acoustically. In fact, almost every song I’ve written, was first written on acoustic guitar or piano. What I wanted for this tour was to have acoustic instrumentation that could creatively represent the songs. Orchestra instruments play a major role in my recorded music, so I wanted to have violin, cello and acoustic bass for the tour.

Another notable thing about your City Winery show is that you make wine. Where did your interest in wine begin? Was it always in your tour rider?

GT: I made my first wine when I was 14 and I’ve been into it ever since. When I became a traveling musician and began visiting the great wine making regions of the world, I was inspired and decided to release my own wine, and in 2007 my brand Insania was released. We make a red which is a Pinot Noir and a white, which is a Pinot Grigio.

There is a stand-up comic named Geoff Tate who I often hear on podcasts. Have you ever encountered him?

GT: Yes I have.

You were a part of Hear ‘n Aid. Looking back, was that an enjoyable experience? Or at least as fun as the music video made it look to be?

GT: I was very honored to be part of the Hear ‘n Aid project. It was a very challenging project to lead and Ronnie Dio did a fine job of bringing many great musicians together for a wonderful cause.

When not busy on tour, how do you like to spend your free time?

GT: When I’m not making a record, touring or working on my Insania wine project, my wife and I enjoy house restoration. We recently acquired our second project home. It’s a 110-year old Dutch Colonial Revival. It’s all original, which is rare. We are modernizing it with thought and restraint.

Is there something you wish more people knew about Geoff Tate?

GT: No, not really. It seems my life is an open book.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

GT: It’s a tie between Nomad, because of the roast chicken and The Rolling Stones inspiration, and Trattoria Trecolori for some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had.

Finally, Geoff, any last words for the kids?

GT: Thanks to everyone who has come out to my shows throughout the years and bought my records. I hope to see you at the show at City Winery.ᐧ

Categories
Culture Music

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Downtown premieres “Plastic Heaven” by Andrew Joslyn

Andrew Joslyn / Photo: Mitchell Overton

For the past four years, Andrew Joslyn has been the orchestra leader for Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, recording and touring the world with one of the world’s top rappers. He and his Passenger String Quartet have also toured with Judy Collins and David Bazan and performed alongside Kygo, Odezsa, Allen Stone, Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan, Suzanne Vega, and Ivan & Alyosha. Additional writer and/or performer credits for Andrew include the upcoming solo recording by Keane singer Tom Chaplin, Mary Lambert, Queens Of The Stone Age’s Mark Lanegan, Built To Spill’s Dave Martsch, The Augustines, and Tim Lopez of the Plain White T’s.

Downtown is proud to premiere the music video for “Plastic Heaven,” a song from the forthcoming 2017 solo album of Andrew Joslyn. The full-length is also set to include appearances by Mark Lanegan, Ryan Lewis, Adra Boo, Shelby Earl, Will Jordan, Susy Sun, Eric Anderson of Cataldo, and Billy McCarthy of The Augustines. The Seattle musician tackled some Q&A for Downtown beyond his generous offering of the video.

Andrew Joslyn / Photo: Mitchell Overton
Andrew Joslyn / Photo: Mitchell Overton

Where was the first gig you ever played in New York City?

Andrew Joslyn: I played at the Rockwood Music Hall in the Lower East Side with my friend/fellow music collaborator Kris Orlowski when we put out our 2012 orchestral pop record, Pieces We Are.

Any favorite restaurants or spots in New York?

AJ: Totto Ramen in Hell’s Kitchen. Every time I come through New York City, be it with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, or David Bazan, I will always go there. The energy of the restaurant, and the food is pretty outstanding.

Any idea when you’ll be back in New York?

AJ: Hopefully soon! I work with a number of music producers out of New York City, and I have family and friends that live on the Lower East Side and Brooklyn that I would love to visit.

What is coming up for you career-wise?

AJ: Just finished writing/producing a feature length film score for the movie, American Violence, due out in theaters February 2017, starring Denise Richards, Bruce Dern and Kaiwi Lyman-Mersereau. It’s a dark crime-thriller directed by Timothy Woodward Jr. I am pretty stoked to be involved with it.

Andrew Joslyn / Photo: Mitchell Overton
Andrew Joslyn / Photo: Mitchell Overton
Categories
Dining Featured

Sam Lewontin talks Krups, Everyman Espresso, and all things coffee to Downtown

Sam Lewontin

 

Sam Lewontin
Sam Lewontin

Sam Lewontin isn’t just any barista. In addition to coming up with inventive new coffee recipes for his patrons, overseeing two coffee shops on downtown’s east side, and adjusting to life in Fort Greene after hailing from the coffee capital of the world — Seattle — he has the titles of North American Brand Ambassador for Krups, and the General Manager of Everyman Espresso to live up to. Downtown caught up with him between cups to get the scoop on what’s brewing.

How did you get into the barista business?

Sam Lewontin: In Seattle, low-rent barista gigs are the jobs that teenagers take in order to convince themselves that they’re not working in fast food. I worked a number of such jobs to pay my way through college, and when I finished my degree, I figured I’d use those years of experience to land myself one last coffee job while I decided what I actually wanted to do with my life. After a couple of pretty revelatory cups of coffee, I knew I was in the coffee business for good.

What are some of the coffee “trends” you’ve seen lately, and where?

SL: We’re seeing more and more drinks, in various forms, using coffee to provide flavors beyond “just coffee,” and showcasing it in contexts beyond traditional milk-based drinks, like coffee lemonade. Many of these drinks draw inspiration from the world of craft cocktails, incorporating ingredients like bitters or fresh juices to complement the inherent flavors of the coffees around which they’re built. Beyond this, I see more and more people understanding and engaging with the differences between different coffees, the coffee’s origin, its variety, and how it’s processed and roasted affect how it tastes.

 

Sam Lewontin
Sam Lewontin

Do you think the days of a “plain old cuppa joe” are numbered?

SL: Traditionally, people think of coffee as being essentially “coffee-flavored,” and of milk and classic baking flavors, chocolate, vanilla, nuts, and so on as the only appropriate complements to it. There’s a whole world of amazing coffee flavor beyond these preconceptions, though, and a whole world’s worth of ways to build drinks around those flavors. I love opening people’s eyes to these possibilities; it’s why I do what I do, both with Krups and in my shops.

What is your favorite little known fact about coffee that people often find surprising?

SL: This is certainly better known now than it once was, but the coffee “bean” is the seed of a fruit. The same factors that affect the quality of fruit — ripeness, freshness, and growing season, for example — that affect the quality of coffee.

Ditto on being a barista…

SL: Ooh! This is a tricky one. There’s a broadly-held assumption that barista is a transitional job, that we’ll all wind up doing something different eventually. For the best baristas, though, coffee is a career as broad, deep, and varied as any, and more so than most. Many of us have actively chosen this over other paths that might have been more lucrative, but are less fulfilling. We work in coffee because we love coffee.

 

Sam Lewontin
Sam Lewontin

Have any coffee trends surfaced lately that you’d advice people avoid?

SL: Bulletproof coffee, and by extension, butter coffee in general, is both a scam — from a health perspective — and pretty disgusting. Don’t do it!

Any tips for perking up our coffee at home?

SL: First, use fresh coffee! Coffee remains good for about two weeks after it’s roasted, so buy only as much as you’ll need for that timeframe, and be sure to buy coffee with the date on which it was roasted printed on the bag. Freezing or refrigerating coffee damages it, so store your coffee as you would tea, spices, flour, or sugar: in an air-tight container, in a cool, dry, dark place.

Second, grind your coffee as close to brewing it as possible! Ground coffee goes stale in a matter of minutes, so a good burr grinder — burr grinders grind more consistently than blade grinders, giving you better and more consistent coffee — is the best investment you can make in making your coffee at home tastier.

Third, use filtered water! Water makes up over 98% of your cup of coffee, so better water means better coffee!