Folk/Pop artist to carry the day at Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange

By: AnnMarie Costella
From 24/7 - Brooklyn Courier Life, July 5, 2007

Enjoy an exciting evening of folk/pop music as The Brooklyn Songwriter’s Exchange (BSX) presents a special summer performance featuring groundbreaking artists Rebecca Pronsky, Meiko, Sally Jaye, and David Berkley on Saturday, July 7 at 8 p.m. at the Brooklyn Lyceum Theatre.

“Brooklyn has always been a great place to live and work in the arts,” said BSX founder and Brooklyn native, Rebecca Pronsky. “Unfortunately, most musicians went to Manhattan to perform at clubs. These days the Lyceum has opened its doors to Brooklyn artists allowing them to showcase their work within their own borough, making the community stronger.”

The BSX is a weekly music series that showcases the best in local and touring singer songwriters. Though it is usually on break for the summer and returns in the fall, Pronsky could not pass up the opportunity to bring together these wonderful performers. “I heard Sally Jaye’s music and invited her to play,” she said. “Sally is on tour with another artist, Meiko, so I decided to plan the summer show around their tour.” Pronsky also invited local musician David Berkley to participate.

Pronsky fell in love with performing at a young age. She started singing when she was 8-years-old and by the time she was in her early teens she was playing guitar and writing her own lyrics. “My songs aren't particularly topical. They're more vague and thematic,” she explained. “I write about travel, change, choices, emotions, what I want to be, and where I want to go.”

David Berkley, a Brooklyn resident, began singing at age four while accompanying his mother who was a traveling salesperson. Since then he has written for publications such as Outside Magazine and Let’s Go Alaska, worked for 5 summers as a river rafting guide, completed 3 studio albums, and toured with the likes of Nickel Creek, Ben Folds, and Rufus Wainwright. Berkley’s not quite sure where his inspiration comes from, but he focuses with great intensity on every word that he writes. His successful formula has resulted in constant touring and much critical acclaim.

Los Angeles based artist Meiko grew up in Roberta, Georgia and found musical inspiration in her father who used to sing to her when she was a child. California radio station, KCRW 89.9 FM. is sponsoring Meiko’s BSX appearance. “She is a great artist and KCRW.com Presents allows us to showcase her work to new audiences and connect with our fans in other cities,” said KCRW Music Director and host of Morning Becomes Eclectic, Nic Harcourt. “KCRW’s audience is huge, especially in New York, and we first started presenting shows on the East Coast in response to overwhelming listener demand. We’re happy to be a strong presence in a city where there is so much else going on.”

Sally Jaye, who is also from L.A., classifies her music as Americana/Folk/Roots music. She is not currently signed to a record label, but often performs at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. Her musical influences include: Emmylou Harris, Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, and Loretta Lynn.

Brooklynites should attend the summer performance because it is an opportunity for them to hear musicians at the forefront of their genre performing in a unique setting, Pronsky told us. “The philosophy of the series is to help the local music scene grow,” said Pronsky. “I usually book people that I feel are talented with something new and interesting to say.”

The Brooklyn Lyceum has been home to the BSX for a while now. “It’s high quality music,” said owner, Eric Richmond. “Rebecca is unique because she was born and raised in Brooklyn as opposed to people who move here on their way to Manhattan. She’s showcasing mostly local artists and trying to create a scene by keeping Brooklyn talent in Brooklyn.”

Larger performances, like the summer show are be held in the 4,000 square foot Downstairs Theatre of the Lyceum. “The space is really special,” she said. “The sound is amazing and very reverberant. It’s also quite large and cavernous compared to other venues in the city.”

Pronsky feels that attendees to BSX shows discover new talent in this borough. “Brooklyn is finally getting the credit it should have gotten when I was a kid,” she said. “It compliments the big city; it no longer lives in its shadow.”

Tickets for the BSX summer show are on sale now. They are priced at $7.00 and can be purchased at the Brooklyn Lyceum box office or online at www.brooklynlyceum.com.