The Bowery Presents

The Mercury Lounge upcoming shows

The Kin
10:30

Paula Valstein
9:30
Bridget Barkan
8:30
Tyrone Noonan
7:30

Venue:
The Mercury Lounge
Date:
Thu 2/11
Notes:
21+
Doors: 7:30 PM / Show: 7:30 PM
$15
Tickets
The Kin
official website
myspace
The Kin are widely considered to be one of New York City’s most promising up-and-coming acts. Led by Australia-born brothers Isaac and Thorry Koren, The Kin have already sold out at the Bowery Ballroom, Joe’s Pub, and the Mercury Lounge, have had their songs featured on multiple hit television shows, and are about to embark on a month-long tour with Rod Stewart. The brothers, each accomplished songwriters capable of playing multiple instruments, come together with a dynamic that can only be forged in blood to create a unique and audibly stunning experience. The duo will release their third album, THE UPside, on September 22, 2009 on their own label, Aletheia Entertainment.

The Kin’s music is a layered experience, combining raw passion with the poetic. The New York Times describes them as "bombastic," TimeOut NY calls their music "soulful," and Billboard Magazine raves, "The Australian siblings have a radiant gift for songwriting and performing...hearing their partnership is a humbling experience." Fox’s Good Day New York simply calls The Kin "the most promising independent rock band in New York."

The Koren brothers settled in NYC in 2001, performing frequently as an acoustic duo. In 2003 they added a drummer, keyboardist and bassist with whom they produced their debut full-length album Tracing (May 2004) and two EPs: Red and Black (both in 2005). Paring down to just the two brothers, The Kin collaborated with producer Nic Hard and released their second full album, Rise and Fall, in October 2007 to wide critical acclaim. Described by Isaac as “an epic, emotional dreamy winter soundscape”, YRB Magazine raved about the album, saying “Isaac and Thorry Koren engage the listener immediately, drawing them into their moody yet compelling world…it’s both darkly optimistic and noticeably beautiful.” Their first single off the album, “Blue on Blue,” was described by Billboard Magazine as “rich minimalism” that leaves “an elegant melodic tap dance in the brain.” Following that, they released 2008’s Live at the Pussycat Club.


Their latest album, THE UPside, was recorded in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle with acclaimed producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, The Who). A deeply personal yet universal statement, THE UPside was influenced strongly by both the west coast and Isaac and Thorry’s personal relationships. “We love New York with all our heart,” says Isaac “but we wanted to make a truly west coast album.” “Time” was written on redeye flight from New York to LA, the brothers and a guitar cramped into two seats, with the disapproving glare of their flight attendant. “You & I” tells the story of an actual break-up, while the title track “THE UPside” is about realizing you need to sacrifice the relationship to save the love. “Never Be the Same” was written during a burst of inspiration in Seattle. Says Isaac: “We’re so in love with this song. We wrote it in 20 minutes and recorded it ourselves within the hour, which is incredible. We tried to improve upon it later but that first recording has some special magic to it.”

The Kin’s hard work and relentless touring is paying off. The band has packed houses nationally, from Boston to Washington DC to Chicago to Los Angeles, as well as overseas in Australia. They have toured with Josh Kelley, Ryan Cabrera and Blue October and are gearing up for a month-long, 16 date North American tour opening for Rod Stewart this summer. Their songs have been featured on Triple A and commercial radio stations all over the country, as well as on specialized programming (Q104.3 NY, 104.7 MA, WMMR), independent radio stations (WZBC Boston, XM Radio, national networks (Premiere Radio, Westwood One Radio) and the internationally broadcast show “Border Crossings” on Voice of America. Three of their songs were featured in Lifetime’s hit show “Army Wives”, and their music has also been heard on Moonlight (CBS), Real World (MTV), and The Hills (MTV), in addition to a commercial for Super Bowl XLIII this past February. The Kin have been guest artists on several TV morning shows, bringing them exposure from the local to international level. TV appearances include (Fox 25 in Boston, ABC 6 Action News in Philadelphia, Fox 5 and CW 11 in NYC, and CW 9 in Chicago), regional (“Backstage with Barry Nolan” and “Your Morning” on Comcast in the Northeast), national (“Second Cup Café” on CBS’s The Early Show), and international (“Fearless Music TV” on Fox.)

In addition to entertaining audiences, The Kin use their music to raise money for worthy causes such as the Save Darfur Coalition, the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club, and most recently charity: water, for whom they’ve already helped raise over $35,000. With their magnetic stage presence, compassion, and amazing live performances, The Kin have won the intense loyalty of thousands of fans across the US and Australia. And for the rest of the world, it’s only a matter of time.
Paula Valstein
myspace
At the moment, Paula Valstein can’t walk on the street of her native Tel-Aviv without getting noticed. The reason being is that Paula, who now calls New York City her home, has been a participant on the highest rated television program in Israel, a sort of American Idol reality show, whose name translates to, A Star Is Born. Paula clinched Best Performance honors and it’s made her a household name all over that country. All of this is exciting, of course, but also quite surreal considering that just a few weeks back, she played to an packed house, but at NYC’s cool and intimate venue, the Rockwood Music Hall. Valstein came to NYC about four years ago after a two years spent in the Israeli military. Upon being spawned from her ranks, she had a choice to go to law school, but instead had an epiphany and realized that music needed to be her life and that her musical life needed to be in New York City. She says, “New York was always a dream of mine, and so, one day I just bought a ticket and came.” But really, music was always Paula’s life. At the age of 4, she co-opted her Grandma’s piano and became obsessed and she’s been writing songs ever since. Subsequent years would see Valstein through countless musical situations doing gigs at Israel’s famed Opera House, many festivals, not to mention the renowned Red Sea International Jazz Festival. Now, hunkered down in the big city, Valstein releases a self-titled EP, her debut offering. Paula is joined on the record by such producers as Sheldon Steiger and James Walsh from Major Who Media with help from such musicians as, Parker Kindred (Jeff Buckley), Lee Nadel (bass), Rodney Howard (drums) and Greg Toughey (guitar), among others. The EP’s single “Bring It On,” has already been played on 104.3FM, "Out Of The Box" with Jonathan Clarke and has prompted hard-to-please overseas press to say things like, “… if you haven't already heard of Paula Valstein then you soon will have. Possessing a rich and powerful voice she delivers each vocal as if it were her last. Her influences are as strong as they are varied and she incorporates them all in order to further her own unique style.” Joel Crane, NME
Bridget Barkan
myspace
Bridget Barkan is a vibrant young artist, a storyteller with an urban yet earth child, raw sense of truth, vision and a message to deliver. Born and raised in NYC, one of the last of her kind. She is a rare, diamond in the rough. Bridget has performed throughout her years in film, TV and theatre; some of her accomplishments include; the HBO original film "Everyday People" in which she was nominated for a Gotham Film award, along with her cast for Best Breakthrough Performance; co-starring with Golden Globe nominee Maggie Gyllenhall in "SherryBaby'; "Stateside" with Rachel Leigh Cook and various Law and Order episodes. More recently in the political film "Redacted," directed by Brian DePalma. She appeared in rock musicals such as, an original production of "Spring Awakening"; with music by Duncan Sheik; "Princesses" with music by pop songwriter Mathew Wilder. She has worked with various different producers/artists, including Qtip, Chris Sholar, The Beatnuts, House DJ legend Todd Terry and Melvin Van Peebles. "I just need to make music. It's who I am and what I do and without it, you just might find me in the loony bin. Music is my therapy, my language, my religion, my lover, my teacher and my child that I give rebirth to everyday."
Tyrone Noonan
official website
myspace
Take the sunniest day you've ever had, rock out like you never have before while singing the most honest truths you have ever uttered at the top of your lungs and you're well on your way to realising the potential of the forthcoming album from singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tyrone Noonan.

I Believe is the name of the long-awaited and much anticipated full-length debut from Noonan, on which he activates the potential promised on his most recent release, Heavy Soul Part 1.

Encapsulating that timeless sound - a flawless mix of English, American and Australian influences - I Believe is a record of international proportions with limitless capabilities, fusing an evocative combination of rock, pop, soul, funk and reggae.

As co-vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist and composer for george, one of Australia's most beloved bands of recent times, it would have been easy for Noonan to rest on his laurels - after all he does know how it feels to sit at the apex of the Australian music industry, to win an ARIA award, to represent his country at L.A.'s Musexpo, to play in front of a TV audience of billions (Rugby World Cup) and of course what it takes to support international superstars like Macy Gray, Jewel and Tori Amos.


Instead he decided to walk the path of an independent artist on his debut mini-album Heavy Soul Part One, opening more than a door or two along the way by demonstrating an impressive, fresh direction that earned him several accolades and a plethora of new fans.

The fully realised craftsmanship of the songs on I Believe pick up where the previous six tales of lost love and starting over left us, marrying artfully-created radio-rock with deeply personal and confronting lyrics that create the dream relationship.

The self-financed record was co-produced by Paul Peterson (Prince, Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, Lionel Richie, The Beach Boys etc), mixed by Steve Hodge (Grammy winning-producer, Flyte Tyme Studios Chief Engineer 1986-2003 - Janet and Michael Jackson, TLC, George Michael etc) and mastered by Greg Calbi (David Bowie, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, The Ramones etc).

In a nutshell, I Believe is a triumph! It will truly challenge the shelf-life of anything else out there.
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