Acoustic Long Island

To kick things off, Dave shares a dog story with the audience. Then, with the Summer Concert quickly approaching, he tries to build enthusiasm for the event in his own unique way. Finally, to round things out, Crazy Beans co-owner, Tim Martino is punked into getting up on stage, only to find out that it was a birthday surprise.

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 behavior, experiences shared with the fascinating people they’ve encountered on the road, as well as a hint of fantasy, Barnaby Bright is a classic vision of timeless indie folk rock in all its glory. For more, go to www.barnabybright.com.

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 more, go to www.lukewesley.com.

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.