LOCAL RECORD LABEL LAUNCHES MAY 10 WITH RELEASE OF FOLK COMPILATION
New music label Brave Records will celebrate its launch at Johnny D’s on May 10, 2005 with a CD release party for Coming Home: Boston Song Collective.
The new recording features songs from 12 Boston-area musicians. It includes cuts from up and coming singer-songwriters like Lisa Bastoni and Sandi Hammond, as well as more seasoned performers like Ksenia Mack who has shared stages with Willy Nelson and Arlo Guthrie.
Brave Records founder Keith Hampton produced the album over the last two years at Boston’s Melville Park Studio, in a collaborative effort with eleven other performing songwriters.
“The label represents aspects of my own career and my musical education. It includes new and older musical traditions in all their different forms and combinations,” Hampton says. “I’m equally interested in classical, traditional folk music, and singer-song writers. Brave Records has become a means for me to distribute my own music, as well as vehicle for me to support other local artists I believe in.”
He released his own recording, HOPEfire, which received a nomination from the Stonewall Society for a 2003 genre award. He performs his songs at local clubs and coffeehouses, and opened for nationally renowned artist Cosy Sheridan at Club Passim. Hampton is also a member of The Boston Secession, a professional choral ensemble with an educational focus, presenting multimedia performances dedicated to “making music new.” The Boston Secession released its own debut CD, Afterlife: German Choral Meditations on Mortality, on Brave Records in March 2005.
Brave Records echoes Hampton’s musical life. It carries music ranging from contemporary singer-songwriters to traditional Central American and European folk; classical and contemporary choral music; and classical harp. One disc, Birth and Rebirth, features traditional Romanian Christmas carols and Easter hymns. All proceeds from the album support a Romanian orphanage for abandoned children.
He sees both the Coming Home compilation and the label itself as an opportunity to create a musical community that crosses genres, reflecting his own eclectic musical passions while promoting some hidden Boston area musical jewels.
“Some of them are not so hidden,” Hampton says. “My hope is that as I continue my own musical journey, I will have the opportunity to support other artists who share my love of musical excellence in diversity.” Performers at the May 10 CD release event will include Keith Hampton, Ksenia Mack, Charlene DiCalogero and the September Babies, Sandi Hammond, Tim Riordan, Felicia Brady, Esther Friedman, and Licia Sky.
Brave Records Launch and CD release for Coming Home: Boston Song Collective. 8:30 pm Tuesday May 10, 2005 at Johnny D’s Uptown Lounge (Davis Square, Somerville). Advance dinner reservations: 617.776.2004. General admission tickets available at the door for $8.
(Apr 22, 2005)