The BLT Q&A: Common Prayer by Kaitlin Fontana
The BLT Q&A: Common Prayer By Kaitlin Fontana The original Book of Common Prayer—first issued in the 1500s to clergymen in the Anglican Church—was intended to formalize and tighten the rules around the dissemination of the church’s teachings. It did so, but it also had another effect, more widespread and completely in opposition to the church’s intent—the rites, rituals, words, and meanings of the all-too-omniscient church were suddenly available to people all over England to read. Prayer, and its attendant power, was democratized. Whether you’re a religious person or not, you have to admit that’s pretty cool: The Book of Common Prayer was the 16th century’s internet. The band Common Prayer shares some of the spirit of its namesake. No, this band is not the internet (I bet that’s not a phrase you’ve read today), but their ability to communicate the rites, rituals, and power of music to the masses is indisputable. Common Prayer is a Brooklyn-based, sometimes folk/often rock outfit led by Jason Sebastian Russo (formerly of Hopewell and 90s alternative gods Mercury Rev). The band’s first album, There Is A Mountain, was released on Neil Halsted’s Big Potato Records in 2010, and hailed by the BBC as one of that year’s “most recommended under-the-radar releases.” Common Prayer’s second album, Frame The River, will be released this October. Buy it then, but see them live, Saturday, June 8, as the musical guests on this month’s Beauty Love Truth. BLT recently chatted with Jason, and tried hard not let our teen-in-the-90s-alternative-leanings make us squee with delight. The aliens have landed and one asks you to explain beauty, love, and truth. How do you explain these to them? Jason Russo: I’d pantomime it. Like Mummenschanz. Tell us something you think is beautiful. JR: It’s beautiful that you can send me this question through the air. And that we can engage in the same conversation at different times, both presumably sitting at desks, having never met. It’s pretty beautiful that I can hit send and a little electronic bird drops a bunch of 1’s + 0’s onto your desk that carry meaning from me to you. Most people say they don’t like computers, but I think they are beautiful. Every day my 77-year-old father emails excerpts from the books he is reading to a small list of people. Full of misspellings and typos. That’s beautiful, too. When did the truth get you in trouble? JR: When I thought I knew it. Do you know other performers who have done Beauty Love Truth? What are you expecting? What are you looking forward to? JR: Man, it’s just great to play a show outside the music scene. It will be nice to spend an evening with people who are laughing and not trying too hard to be cool. How did you become a musician? Why do you keep doing it? JR: I have no idea! I wanted to be a painter when I was a kid. Music is a compulsion for me, like a person who has to wash their hands or lick light switches every 10 minutes. I couldn’t stop even if I tried. Tara was a filmmaker until she quit one day and agreed to play for Common Prayer despite my not having asked her. Beauty Love Truth: scenes inspired...
read moreBEAUTY LOVE TRUTH Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 8pm with COMMON PRAYER (feat. Jason Sebastian Russo/Tara Autovino) at Standard Toykraft
A revolving cast of some of the best improvisers come to improvise a play inspired in the moment by the guest musician. That’s Beauty Love Truth! NEXT SHOW: Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 8pm with musical guest COMMON PRAYER (feat. Jason Sebastian Russo/Tara Autovino) [Read the Q&A by Kaitlin Fontana here!] CourtPie Photography and this amazing cast of improvisers: Cast for June 8, 2013 show. Kaitlin Fontana (the PIT’s BODYHEAT, the Magnet Theater’s Breakfast for Dinner, Buckshot N Benny) Matt Higgins (Centralia, Burn Manhattan) Shannon Manning (Second City, IO, UCB, “Conan”) Doug Moe (“Doug Moe is a Bad Dad,” UCB’s MOTHER, “30 Rock,” “Conan”) Louie Pearlman (“Billy on the Street”, Story Pirates, Spidey Project) Andy Schneeflock (Story Pirates, 4Squares Improv, “Robocamp” “Boardwalk Empire”) Lauren Ashley Smith (Story Pirates, Featherweight) Sean Taylor (Magnet Junior Varsity, Spotlight, Pizza Month, Variety Underground) Maggie Serota (photo by Mindy Tucker) Plus an introduction by Maggie Serota (Low Times podcast, The Onion AV Club, Radar, NY Press, Philadelphia Weekly) All this, plus drinks and a hang before and afterwards…for $10. (Donations welcome!) Standard Toykraft 722 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, New York. L to Graham or G to Metropolitan. BEAUTY LOVE TRUTH Press Release June 8, 2013 And LOOKIT: IMPROV FOR POETS AND GENIUSES. An improv workshop for...
read moreBeauty Love Truth in Calgary, AB, Canada
Our friends the Kinkonauts brought us to town to do a Beauty Love Truth with local musicians Ella Jean and Cort Delano and such wonderful improvisers! All photos in gallery by Cassie’s...
read moreBeauty Love Truth performers in ACT ONE at the PIT Sun, Oct 7th at 8pm
Some of us are performing in a showcase of one-act improvised plays called ACT ONE. PIT Sun, Oct 7th at 8pm 123 East 24th St. btw Park and Lex. Kirk Damato, Shannon Manning, Louie Pearlman, Branson Reese, and Mary Regan. Musical guest TBA. PIT Site: http://thepit-nyc.com/show/act-one-20/?cur_d=121007&cur_m=1210 Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/e/186626 Tumblr: http://actonenyc.tumblr.com/post/32811552017/performing-in-act-one-on-sunday-october-7th-at-8pm...
read moreThe BLT Q&A: Stephan Said by Kaitlin Fontana
The BLT Q&A: Stephan Said By Kaitlin Fontana The great tradition of the folk music hero is one that has, over the last few decades, diminished. Or, if not diminished, then dispersed—parts of it fleeing to hip hop, parts to literature, parts to the internet and the global uprising. But there is still a strong through line from the Woodie Guthries of our past to the truth-telling, peace activist singer songwriters of our present and future, and that’s where Stephan Said—activist, organizer and folk hero—comes in. Born one of four kids in Cleveland to a Muslim Iraqi father and a Catholic Viennese mother, his story is one of self-discovery and examination of peace not just in the world but within himself. Along the path of a long and incredible career Stephan has played in punk bands alongside SST records legends like Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr., he’s traveled the country playing everything from thrash to folk, and—oh yeah—he has a Masters in International Affairs from the New School. So he’s knows a thing or two about what he sings. His new album, difrent, is out now. We sat Stephan down for a Q&A in advance of his appearance at BLT. Tell us something you think is beautiful. A pure voice singing the truth, that is love. The child in each of us that sees the world the way that it could be. Tell us a lyric of yours that includes the word love. “We don’t need a revolution. All we really need is evolution. And we don’t need a new messiah, we all got the answer down inside us. We don’t need a new distraction. We just need to get to action. All we need is love.” What’s your first memory of something beautiful? Nature. I grew up in Appalachia as a little kid, in far western Pennsylvania, in the country. I remember distinctly the joy of being surrounded by trees, swimming, sweet air, rivers, breezes, mountains, birdsongs, blue skies. What’s one thing in your life that is beautiful, you love and is true? My most beautiful wife and friend in the world, and a daughter, both of whom lighten every day and keep me moving ahead. How did you become a musician? Why do you keep doing it? I never became a musician. I was sort of born one, I started writing songs by the time I was three years old on the piano and could pick up any instrument and teach myself how to produce melody on it quickly. So I guess music sort of chose me, and I’ve never been able to get away from it. Have you ever played during a live theatre show before? What are you expecting? I acted as a kid, and my first acting role with a professional theater company was playing the son of a mad scientist in Dürrenmatt’s The Physicists, when I was twelve. In one scene, I played a Bartok piece on recorder, swaying back and forth in tears standing on a couch swirling in the madness surrounding me visiting my father in the sanatorium. I was swept up in it, probably also because there were at least partial similarities to my own life. I was swept up in it just as when I play music. What do you love most about...
read moreJoe Garden introduces Beauty Love Truth
Joe Garden introduces Beauty Love Truth, says goodbye to The Onion from Shannon Manning on Vimeo. Joe Garden (The Onion, at the time) does the introduction for Beauty Love Truth inspired by the topics of beauty, love, and/or truth. January 12, 2012. The musical guest that evening was Georgia and Ira from Yo La...
read moreBeauty Love Truth with Stephan Said & Matt Koff, Thursday, Sept 27, 8pm at PIT
Thursday, Sept 27, 8pm at The PIT 123 E 24th BTW Park & Lex (new location!) Tickets here. Musical guest STEPHAN SAID will play his music to inspire improvised scenes. Nothing is planned; it’s all improvised. You will never see this show again! (Read BLT Q&A with Stephan here.) Featuring an INTRODUCTION by MATT KOFF (Onion News Network, Comedy Central blogger) who will speak on the subject of Beauty Love AND/OR Truth. This month’s IMPROVISERS include: Angela DeManti (The Weird Sisters, Magnet) Matt Higgins (Centralia, Burn Manhattan) Bradford Jordan (Story Pirates, PIT) Nick Kanellis (Trike, Story Pirates) Roy Koshy (Yes Andersens, Magnet, PIT) Shannon Manning (Second City, IO, UCB, “Conan”) Doug Moe (“Doug Moe is a Bad Dad,” UCB’s MOTHER, “30 Rock,” “Conan”) Louie Pearlman (Story Pirates, The Spidey Project, Buckshot N Benny) JOIN THE FACEBOOK EVENT PRESS RELEASE FOR SEPT BEAUTY LOVE TRUTH More about STEPHAN SAID Recording Artist and Human Rights Activist: (Read BLT Q&A with Stephan here.) Stephan Said, aka Stephan Smith, is an internationally acclaimed musician, writer and activist who has been called “this generation’s Woody Guthrie” (Billboard Magazine) and favorably compared to Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Bob Marley in publications such as the New York Times, Billboard Magazine, BBC, NPR and RFI. An Iraqi-American with immediate family in Baghdad and Mosul and a diverse heritage that combines Christianity and Islam, he is a prominent voice for interfaith dialogue, peace, and global justice. His song “The Bell” was “the first major song against the war in Iraq”(Neil Strauss, NY Times) and hailed as “the antiwar anthem of this generation.”(GNN) Stephan pioneered the use of the internet to distribute mp3’s and music videos for social causes on a mass scale, and his essays on music and global affairs have appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, The Progressive Magazine, CounterPunch, Sing Out! Magazine, Folker Magazine (Germany), The Huffington Post, AlterNet, Counterpunch, and others. Since his last album on Artemis Records, Stephan completed his graduate studies in International Affairs from the New School University. Stephan’s new album, difrent:, with Grammy Award winning Producer Hal Willner (Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Bono, Saturday Nite Live), features his most universal songwriting to date, with cinematic love songs and pop anthems to global tolerance and peace in English, Arabic, French and Spanish blending pop with rock, folk, and world music. difrent: is Stephan’s first album reclaiming his born name, Said, having put out several critically acclaimed albums under his mother’s maiden name “Stephan Smith,” after executives at major labels in the U.S. insisted he “could never have a career in the America with an Arabic name.” The album debuts an all-star band featuring Cindy Blackman on drums, Kevin Hunter on mandolin and guitar, Yousif Sheronick on percussion, and George Mitchell on upright and electric bass. Strings and horns include recording legends Lenny Pickett, Howard Johnson, Earl Gardner, Art Baron, and Jane Scarpantoni. The album is being released to launch Stephan’s biggest project to date, difrent: a global broadcasting platform and one-stop for the music of social change. difrent: connects artists and organizations for initiatives having a positive impact on the ground worldwide, and promotes young voices that are making music and culture to advance peace, equality, and environmental sustainability. Stephan is known for consistently using his art at the frontlines of social change, repeatedly breaking nascent initiatives and movements into...
read moreThe BLT Q&A with Ko-Lition by Kaitlin Fontana
The BLT Q&A: Ko-Lition By Kaitlin Fontana This coming Thursday’s BLT performance will be a history making one; it’s the first time that the musical performers will be a hip hop group. In this case, the Brooklyn-bred brother duo known as Ko-Lition, whose influences run the gamut from hip hop to jazz to electro and back again, and whose production company, See It Live, encompasses not only their independent spirit but also their mantra: all music is better live. Fitting, then, to have them take to the stage at BLT. No doubt this change in musicality will effect everything from the scenework to the tone of the show in ways that are exciting even to think about. And that’s really hip hop at its best: when we get excited about it, when it’s a vital, refreshing art form. Rock stopped being new a long time ago—when we get excited about it it’s usually because it sounds so like something we loved before. Hip hop still has a great capacity for surprise, and that’s why having Ko-Lition take the stage at Beauty Love Truth will be a unique experience. You should probably be there. BLT sat down with Ko-Lition for a chat. Tell us a truth from your lyrics. Our song “Blindsided” has a lyric which says “Mom said show your heart let her see/Pops said never wear your heart on ya sleeve/So we’ve always struggled with love both giving and receiving…” What’s your first memory of something beautiful? Us coming up with a dance routine to perform in front of our family and the look of approval they all had. What’s something/someone you love that it would surprise people? Broadway plays. What’s good is good—you can’t fight it. Tell us something true. Faith is useless without works. What’s one thing in your life that is beautiful, you love and is true? Madeline Johnson, our Nana. Beautiful and true. The aliens have landed and one asks you to explain beauty/love/truth [choose one]. How do you explain it to them? We tell them beauty is subjective and undeniable. You have a new album called Love Jazz Robotz. What is a love jazz robot? Love Jazz Robotz is a representation of our start in the music industry thus far. It tells stories, makes love, and represents that stagnant feeling you get when you’re told to do music the way everyone else does—like a robot. You’re brothers. What’s hard about being brothers that work together? What’s easy about it? Well, we’re two different people so creative ideas are always flowing and don’t always mesh. But because we’re brothers we don’t have to worry about conflicts. At the end of it all, it’s us pushing each other to be better artists and people. Catch Ko-Lition live at Beauty Love Truth, this Thursday August 30, 8pm at the PIT (123 E 24th Avenue). (Please help us spread the word via the Facebook event, and link to Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, Tumblr, or your preferred buttons below.) Kaitllin Fontana is a Beauty Love Truther who is also the author of “Fresh at Twenty: The Oral History of Mint Records,” out now on ECW...
read moreBeauty Love Truth Thursday Aug 30 at 8pm with Ko-Lition at PIT
The PIT 123 E 24th BTW Park & Lex (new location!) Tickets here. Musical guest Ko-Lition (Check out their new album on iTunes) will play their music to inspire improvised scenes. Nothing is planned; it’s all improvised. You will never see this show again! Featuring an INTRODUCTION by MIKE DOUGHTY who will speak AND/OR sing on the subject of Beauty Love AND/OR Truth. This month’s IMPROVISERS include: Kaitlin Fontana (Buckshot ‘n’ Benny, CTV’s “The Party“) Shannon Manning (Second City, IO, UCB, “Conan”) John Murray (“30 Rock” UCB: Death By Roo Roo) Louie Pearlman (Story Pirates, The Spidey Project, Buckshot N Benny) Natasha Rothwell (UCB, PIT, Just for Laughs, Story Pirates) Erik Tanouye (“BP Spills Coffee”, Onion News Network, UCB: Curfew, Neighbor Boy) Betsy Todd (UCB, Magnet, “Battle of the Bozos”) Matt B. Weir (Cool Cars and Science, We’re Matt Weir) JOIN THE FACEBOOK EVENT Beauty Love Truth Press Release Aug 30 MORE ABOUT KO-LITION: BLT Q&A with Ko-Lition by Kaitlin Fontana. See Music Live… Its Bigger Than Hearing It Biography “Everyone is a robot and it’s ok to be a Robot… Just be an interesting one!” That’s Ko-Lition; the coming together of artists that separate themselves from the norm of the robotic-like 9-5 life and stagnant music that people hate. These Knockout (K.O.) Artists strive for that separation and creation of new ‘feel good’ music. Combining genres of music such as Hip Hop, Jazz, and Electro, they bring new flavor and a new attitude. The Brooklyn boys started their music career with a boom box and a mic rapping to friends and family. They reached out to anyone who would listen and were eventually picked up by Brothers and Sisters Entertainment (BSE) where they were able to really bring out their talent through Showcases all over the US, including 106th and Park and BB Kings.After many years in the BSE Family, the Duo decided to venture out on their own and created their own production company, See Music Live LLC which embodies the importance of astonishing and energetic stage presence as well as their vision of where they want to see music go in the years to come. They can be found spreading their music in open mics and showcases all over NYC which include venues like Sullivan Hall and China 1 Lounge. They are currently working on their upcoming album “Love Jazz Robotz,” which features their single ‘Must Be Robotz,’ coming soon. Ko-Lition are looking to excite audiences with brand new music in a brand new year. Meet the Guys DE-LO “I FIRST CAUGHT THE VERBAL BUG AFTER LISTENIN’ TO A TRIBE CALLED QUEST’S ‘ELECTRIC RELAXATION…’” says De-Lo, “it was the first track I’ve heard that had me say ‘damn… that’s how I’m a sound when I get my words together.” His first battle was in JHS against another student. They both didn’t write at the time, so “we would jack our favorite MCs and battle wit their rhymes and the kid didn’t know how to deliver so he always lost. Shortly after, we started writing our own and from then, I realized that I had the gift of delivery.” By the time he entered HS, De-Lo’s skills expanded, and so did his confidence. De-Lo has a passion for the art he loves, and looks to be a trailblazer in the...
read moreGet to Know the Cast-July 2012
Cast profiles are being rolled out on Tumblr, HERE! Hello Beauty Love Truthers! Our show with Bob Dorough (Schoolhouse Rock!) at The PIT is only two days away! Here is a Q&A from Lauren Sharpe, a new player with Beauty Love Truth. Enjoy, and get tickets to the show here! 3 things you have done, invented and/or thought! 1. In grade school I created a very realistic Marie Curie puppet for a presentation and insisted on doing all subsequent projects that year on her life. 2. I once rode in a boat pulled by dolphins during a show at SeaWorld. 3. I have yet to invent anything of note yet, but when I do, I know the protocol. I’ll write down the idea and send it to myself via USPS or something. 3 things in the future (immediate or far) that you’re looking forward to: 1. I’m always looking forward to my next meal. Always. 2. It’s strange, but even as I appreciate moving through this summer, I’m already having pangs of longing for autumn weather. 3. I hope to have an exciting overseas adventure very, very soon. To where, I’m not sure, but somewhere green. What springs to mind when you hear: 1. BEAUTY! – an open field 2. LOVE! – a hand on my back 3. TRUTH! – hearts exploding (in a good way) Anything else you want to share with your adoring public? See you this week! Leading up to exciting show on Thursday with Bob Dorough, behold the Beauty Love Truth Q&A with longtime player in our show: Terry Jinn. Enjoy! And get tickets for the show here! 3 things you have done, invented and/or thought! 1. In college, I wrote a screenplay about two brothers that were different races that were NYC Transit Cops. A year or so later, the movie “Money Train” came out about two brothers of different races that are NYC transit cops. 2. A few years ago, wrote and directed a short film about a guy and his pet dog with the dog played by a man in a dog suit that talks. A few years later, the TV show “Wilfred” debuted, about a guy with a pet dog that is played by a man in a dog suit that talks. 3. Sometimes I feel like somebody is watching me. 3 things in the future (immediate or far) that you’re looking forward to: 1. Getting married 2. The Dark Knight Rises 3. A good cheeseburger What springs to mind when you hear: 1. BEAUTY! Italy 2. LOVE! Spain 3. TRUTH! New York City Get to Know Your Beauty Love Truth Cast: Mark Sam Rosenthal Hello Beauty Love Truthers! Another show is almost upon us – this Thursday, 8PM at The PIT! Musical guest is our wonderful friend (& Schoolhouse Rock! composer) Bob Dorough and opener is the amazing Sara Schaefer. You can get tickets here. A new show on the horizon means that it’s time for another round of getting to know your cast members. First up is Mark Sam Rosenthal. 3 things you have done, invented and/or thought! 1. Written and performed in an off-Broadway solo show 2. Been in love 3. Been in porn 3 things in the future (immediate or far) that you’re looking forward to: 1. Singing German karaoke in Berlin in two weeks...
read more
