Acoustic Long Island

Since the release of their first album, ‘Wake the Hero’ in 2009, Barnaby Bright has garnered high accolades for their songwriting and sound. Grand prize winners of the NY Song Circle competition, Barnaby Bright’s music has also been featured on national television to soundtrack heavy moments on shows such as ‘ER’ and ‘Days of our Lives.’ Their follow up EP ‘Gravity’ was named one of the top 100 records of the year by Amazon.com, keeping good company with the likes of Adele and Bon Iver. They continue touring in support of their brand new full length record, “The Longest Day,” gracing such notable venues as Lincoln Center and NPR’s “Mountain Stage” in West Virgina, and sharing stages with the likes of the Lumineers and Norah Jones. Their songs deal with a diverse range of subjects as relatable as longing and love, and as dark as death and revenge. The resulting emotional journey Barnaby Bright takes you on during one of their shows is one you will never forget. Drawing inspiration from literature, human behavi

Todd Kramer is a singer/songwriter originally from the sleepy town of Woodbridge, CT. In 2009 Todd moved to New York City and began writing and playing songs around Manhattan. He spent three years honing his songwriting craft before releasing his first EP, “One Pair of Eyes” in March 2012. Describing his music as “Nostalgic pop with Americana influences,” Todd writes songs from personal experience. You can find him playing at some of New York City’s best listening rooms and touring the Northeast regularly, either tucked away in the corner of a coffeehouse or rocking out on stage with his band. Either experience will leave you feeling this kid will be around for awhile. For more, go to www.toddkramermusic.com.

With the weather just right, we opened the french doors of the parlor room and had our first “Cheap Seats” section to celebrate our May concert. Though it didn’t make it to this recording, Dave showed off the new and improved strength and range of motion of his healing shoulder (skiing accident in March). Then we warmed up the night with a few songs from Jack, Alex and Brian of the band, Sir Cadian Rhythm.

Jacob Jeffries is a singer/songwriter and piano player based in Florida. He has released three independent CD’s, shot a DVD, has shared the stage with several amazing artists (The Click Five, Vertical Horizon, Trevor Hall, Ryan Mountbleau Band, Tim Reynolds, Benjy Davis Project, Anthony Hamilton, and more), and has been touring nationally to grow his fan base. Jacob is a Warner Chappell writer, affiliated with BMI, and sponsored by Baldwin Pianos. He has showcased at BMI’s Acoustic Lounge (Miami/LA), NAMM, Sundance, and SXSW. He was a FL Grammy Showcase winner, and voted Best Live Band and Best New Release by both Broward-Palm Beach and Miami New Times. And, he is starting on the next studio release due out this APRIL! For more, go to www.jacobjeffries.com.

Currently living and playing in NYC, Kira has been writing and performing for audiences around the country since she was 17. Always rooted in emotion, at once joyous and sad, Kira’s songwriting takes listeners to a vulnerable place. Her soft soprano weaves angular vocal lines through rich harmonies, with a lyrical style born out of poetry. It’s for your old soul and inner child, and with instruments of choice guitar and voice, she will sing you safely through. “…honest and vulnerable portrayal maintains a gorgeous texture of acoustics and the dreamy subtlety of uncomplicated indie folk music.”-Wordkrapht.com ‘She accomplishes the rare feat of encapsulating confidence and vulnerability in a single performance. The wintry arrangements accomplish a second improbable feat: the Damien Jurado-esque characteristic of feeling both lush and sparse at the same time.” -Independent Clauses. For more, go to www.kiravelella.com.

Growing up in a large family in the small north central Ohio farm town of Shelby, Luke Wesley’s musical influences were all over the place. Today he has taken those musical influences and the percussive attack on piano to craft a decidedly unique modern brand of blue eyed soul. On his sophomore effort (Who Are We Kidding?), Luke set out to take his music in a matured direction with a collection of songs that groove and flow like his first record, but with a more concise lyrical style coupled with giant synth sounds. “When heard from the next room, Luke Wesley’s songs telegraph the bouncy sheen of the lightest Ben Folds or Marc Cohn numbers (or on trickier epics like “Ohio,” the Pianoman himself) – they’re bright, strutting, major-chord piano rockers that suggest an uncomplicated good time… His songs have a stately charm that draws listeners in. The production and arrangements are uncluttered, creating faithful reproductions of the singer’s popular solo gigs on New York’s Lower East Side.” iTunes Review. For m

When Grammy-winner Marc Cohn first saw her perform, he called himself “an instant Gillian Grassie fan,” observing, “it’s rare to hear a young singer with such control and understated soulfulness, and even more rare to hear a harp provide such a deep percussive groove. I was immediately captivated by her sound.” Traveling the world with her harp on her back and her heart on her sleeve, Gillian’s compositions challenge the conventions of her instrument and showcase a knack for “turning seemingly insignificant events into songs worthy of everyone’s attention,” (Origivation Magazine). Her modern approach the harp, expressive vocals, and sophisticated but relatable songwriting have earned her grants from the Thomas J. Watson Foundation and the U.S. State Department, a slew of awards, and the devotion of her fans. For more, go to www.harppower.org.

After a year and a half off basking in the warm sun of South America (not), Dave, Billy and Scott turned the stage lights on once again to kick off a new season of LIVE@Deepwells – yes, the concert series formerly known as Acoustic Long Island. Newsday was there to make things even more nerve-racking as Dave attempted to explain why the venue is, for the first time in 8 years, charging admission with his “Top Ten Reasons This Is So Worth The Five Bucks!”. Then, 14-year-old Saint James native, Julia Graye, took to the stage to warm up the standing-room-only crowd and captivated the audience with a few “beyond-her-years” originals. Stay tuned for more podcasts from the rest of this concert featuring Gillian Grassie and Luke Wesley. Until then, It’s good to be back!

Nine Days – This alternative rock band from Long Island was formed in 1994 by John Hampson and Brian Desveaux, and released three independent albums in the 1990s before their mainstream debut album, The Madding Crowd, released in 2000. The band scored a hit in the United States from the album The Madding Crowd, with the single “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)”, which reached number one in the charts. Although the band is for the most part still together and occasionally performs shows, both vocal artists, John Hampson and Brian Desveaux, have pursued solo careers and their music is available for purchase from their individual websites. For more, go to www.facebook.com/ninedaysband.

Antje Duvekot – Antje Duvekot is a German-born, American-raised singer-songwriter who has risen to the top of the competitive Boston singer-songwriter scene. Blending uncommonly beautiful vocals with one of the sharpest poetic sensibilities in her field, Duvekot has a remarkable ability to make us believe she is whispering secrets in our ear, and we know that she believes every word she sings. New Siberia is her third studio album — and a masterpiece of the modern folk genre. She assembled it herself with a fresh confidence enhanced by the fan loyalty displayed on Kickstarter.com. Again produced by folk legend Richard Shindell, the cinematic ensemble sound showcases Duvekot’s bold, sure-footed path through emotional terrain most artists dare not even enter. For more, go to www.antjeduvekot.com.

Heather Maloney – Hailed by The Huffington Post for “lyrics that cut to the chase.”, Heather Maloney is quickly becoming known for her powerhouse performances, highly original songwriting, memorable melodies, “knock-you-dead vocals” (Valley Advocate), and evocative lyricism. DigBoston wrote that she “deserves the type of cult following that has allowed the likes of Aimee Mann and Ani DiFranco that long standing success and influence they have had.” Although Maloney’s influences are largely rooted in what she calls “adventurous folk,” she pushes outward on these 11 songs, digging deeper, and roaming wider, than she has before on songs populated by vivid characters that ultimately trace their way back to her. It’s no surprise that her performances are getting more and more crowded as people discover her smart, catchy and soulful music. For more, go to www.heathermaloney.com.

Seth Glier – Despite his relatively young age, Massachusetts based singer/songwriter Seth Glier is a seasoned troubadour. Averaging over 250+ live performances annually Seth has gone from opening act to headlining his own shows and playing major folk festivals. He’s shared the stage with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, Martin Sexton, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams and has quickly become known for his passionate live sets. His music has also caught the ears of fans, industry and critics alike with USA Today stating that his “exquisite tenor echoes Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.” The incredible acclaim on his sophomore record, The Next Right Thing, led to the single “Lauralee” hitting #1 on Clear Channel’s NEW! Discover & Uncover program as well as a Grammy® nomination, a first for both himself and his New York based label, MPress Records. For more, go to www.sethglier.com.

Katie Pealrman – Hailing from Long Island, NY, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Katie Pearlman, has earned almost 20 years of experience touring the US as an accompanist and in recent years, as a solo artist. Her soulful voice has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt. Not surprisingly, some of her favorite singers include: Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, Joan Osborne, and Joni Mitchell.Her third album (release date January 6, 2012), Girls Like Us, is a concept album of songs written about women, based on true stories from the book Note to Self, by Andrea Buchanan, of surviving hardship and heartache. The songs on this album have earned Katie comparisons to folk icons such as Harry Chapin. With this new album, Katie hopes her music will give inspiration to people facing life’s challenges. For more, go to www.katiepearlman.com..

Emily Elbert – Texas native Emily Elbert is a young performer with an old soul, whose music draws from jazz, pop, soul and folk. Her songs feature strong melodies, straight-to-the-heart vocals, and intricate guitar work. A recent graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Emily has played over 500 shows across the U.S. and in Asia, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Glamour Magazine selected Emily as one of 2010′s Top Ten College Women. She’s also a winner of Scotland’s Burnsong International Song Contest and was named the Best New Artist of the Year by WUMB-FM Radio in Boston. For more, go to www.emilyelbert.com.

The Stray Birds – Drawing upon the richness of American folk music traditions, the signature power of THE STRAY BIRDS sound lies in outstanding songwriting that soars in three-part harmony. Raised on music within a few miles of farmland from each other, The Stray Birds were born of a compelling collaboration between two unique writers and vocalists– the pure, luxurious voice of Maya de Vitry and Oliver Craven’s richness of tone and depth of delivery. Grounding their sound in the unshakeable groove of bassist Charles Muench, The Stray Birds are a trio of captivating chemistry and sensitive musicality. From bustling street corners to silent halls, their performances speak to an uncompromising reverence for songs. For more, go to www.thestraybirds.com.

Anna Krantz – Born and raised in London, Anna started playing music full-time at the age of 18, launching her career with Tony Moore (Iron Maiden) and The Kashmir Club. An accomplished pianist and keyboardist, Krantz is sought out by colleagues in the industry not only for her incredible voice and poignant, catchy songwriting, but also for her talent behind the piano. In 2009 she signed to EMI Publishing, primarily as a songwriter for other artists. During her time with EMI she wrote with and for many up and coming artists, including award-winning British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. No stranger to the stage, Anna has toured and gigged the London, Nashville and New York music scenes. In London she’s dazzled audiences at The Enterprise, Barfly, Shepherd’s Bush Empire and Wimbley Area. Upon arriving in New York, Krantz performed at The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, The Living Room, and Caffe Vivaldi.  She recently won the hearts of New York fans supporting two sold out Ed Sheeran shows at Music H

Caleb Hawley – On paper, Caleb Hawley’s resume reads as the standard Who’s Who for up-and-coming songwriters. Then you hear him sing, and you realize there is only one word needed to describe this artist: Extraordinary. From his ability to write intricate lyrics with cutting-edge chords to his lightening fast licks and ear for taste and style, there is absolutely nothing average about this shaggy-haired, blue-eyed, multi-faceted musician. Receiving top honors in the prestigious New York Songwriters Circle Contest (2008 and 2009), the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (2009), the Telluride Festival (2010), the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (2010), and Rocky Mountain Folks Fest (2011) for his songwriting, he also has a voice to place him in the final fifty on the 2011 American Idol Season. Hawley is as aggressive as he is perseverant in advancing his art and impressing audiences with his unique and catchy approach to music. While lyrically influenced by observational writers such as Randy Newman and Tom Wa

Toby Walker – Toby’s passion for blues, rags, folk, and other traditional American music drove him to leave an apartment crammed full of recordings, books and instruments for the Mississippi Delta, Virginia and the Carolinas where he tracked down some of the more obscure – but immensely talented – music makers of an earlier era. He learned directly from Eugene Powell, James “Son” Thomas,Etta Baker, and R.L Burnside, among others. The talent, passion, and soul of a Toby Walker performance reflects these travels. Whether it is telling the humorous and heartwarming tales of other masters, talking about his inspirations, or astounding you with his mastery, his performances are a feast for the senses. The audience is moved in ways that delight them long after the encores. You can catch a taste of these stories on his Web site in “The Masters” section. But make no mistake about it – he is to be experienced live. Those fortunate enough to attend one of his shows will

Antigone Rising – Antigone Rising was catapulted into the spotlight in 2005 with their Hear Music/Lava Records debut release – “From the Ground Up.” A line-up shift in 2008 led to a brief hiatus, but after a few months on the sidelines, drummer Dena Tauriello & The Henderson sisters made the decision to keep moving forward with new member Nini Camps on lead vocals. Known for their driving and vivacious live show, Antigone Rising has toured with The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers Band, The Dave Matthews Band, Rob Thomas, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Lucinda Williams and The Bangles amongst others. Since their inception the band has released 4 independent albums. In 2004, they were signed to Lava Records, leading to a partnership with Starbucks. With the release of their album, “From The Ground Up,” Antigone Rising became the first band in Starbucks’ “Hear Music Debut” series. VH1 aired a half-hour special featuring the band and bot

Ernie Halter – Influenced by some of the legendary names of pop and soul, such as the Beatles, Elton John, Otis Redding, and Stevie Wonder, Californian Ernie Halter first began to make waves for himself with the release of his 2005 collection, Lo-Fidelity. Halter’s subsequent releases, Starting Over (2008) debuted on the iTunes Rock Album Charts at #22, Ernie Halter Live (2009) debuted on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Album Charts at #9, and the latest release Franklin & Vermont (2010) debuted on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Album Charts at #2. Ernie Halter’s 4U (2010), a free and exclusive sampler, quickly became the #1 Mp3 Album download on Amazon.com. Ernie’s online fanbase has grown to 10,000+ YouTube subscribers and nearly 500,000 followers on social networking site Twitter. Halter has shared the studio and stage with pop icons such as: Neil Young, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, Sara Barielles, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Hanson, Eric Hutchinson, Drake Bell, Sister Hazel, Sho