Category: Events

Tune in to birnCORE on Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. as Berklee faculty and students pay tribute to legendary Puerto Rican bass innovator Sal Cuevas at the Red Room at Cafe 939. They will perform music from Ray Barretto’s album Rican/Struction (on which Cuevas appeared) with special guest Rubén Rodríguez.

Rodríguez was born in New York City and grew up in East Harlem and Puerto Rico. He has been recognized as one of the best and hardest-working Latin music bass players in the United States. Rodríguez, whose father played classical guitar, taught himself the bass in junior high, then spent some time under the tutelage of esteemed bassist Victor Venegas. Continue reading “Tribute to Sal Cuevas Live from the Red Room”

Tune in to BIRN1 on Saturday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m. for a live performance by Ecuadorian singer-songwriter Oriana Setz.

Oriana is a Boston based singer-songwriter hailing from Ecuador. She is finishing her studies here at Berklee College of Music as a Professional Music major. Setz blends her South American roots with Indie Pop and Rock citing influences that include Michael Jackson, Florence + the Machine, and Natalia Lafourcade. The poetry in her music is greatly inspired by self-empowerment, social activism, and personal reflection.

Listen to the live session and interview HERE.

Tune into birnCORE on Sunday, September 30 at 8:00 p.m. for performances by Your Smith and The Blue live from the Red Room at Cafe 939.

Your Smith, formerly known as Caroline Smith, relocated from her native Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Los Angeles, California, after signing with Pulse Recording. Inspired by the history of Laurel Canyon and moving through a city that’s been immortalized in music throughout the ages, Smith concocted her own sound, bringing together the funk/R&B “Minneapolis sound” of her roots and the classic songwriting of her L.A. folk heroes.

Your Smith’s debut EP, Bad Habit, was produced by Tommy English (BØRNS), Stint (Gallant, AlunaGeorge, and NAO), and Nicky Davey (Internet and Syd tha Kid), and released on Neon Gold Records in August. She also recently appeared as a featured artist on alternative rapper Rejjie Snow’s debut. Continue reading “Your Smith and The Blue Live from the Red Room”

Tune into birnCORE on Monday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. for a performance at the Red Room at Cafe 939 by Donovan Woods and the Opposition.

Donovan Woods is a notable Nashville singer-songwriter coming from folk and country roots, with credits by Billy Currington, Charles Kelley, Tim McGraw and Charlie Worsham.

Woods’s new album Both Ways, highlighting the push-and-pull aspect of life, especially in relationships, unfolds with acoustic instruments and Woods’s quietly compelling delivery. He shows the rare ability to distill complicated situations and emotions into songs that are intriguing and relatable throughout his album, showing the importance of leaving lyrics open to interpretation. A number of the songs are guitar-driven. Yet they stop short of full-blown rock ‘n’ roll. Continue reading “Donovan Woods and the Opposition Live from the Red Room”

Tune into birnCORE on Wednesday, September 26 at 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. for two show performances by pianist and composer Bill Laurance (of Snarky Puppy) live from the Red Room at Cafe 939.

Bill Laurance, a Grammy Award-winner and original member of the internationally acclaimed band Snarky Puppy, has worked as a professional musician since he was 14 years old. Laurance has toured internationally as a pianist, keyboard player, composer, producer, and arranger with artists such as David Crosby, Bobby McFerrin, Morcheeba, Susana Baca, and many more. Continue reading “Bill Laurance (of Snarky Puppy) Live from the Red Room”

Tune in to BIRN1 on Friday, October 19 at 4:00 p.m. for a live performance and interview with singer-songwriter Gina Chavez.

Gina Chavez is a bilingual Latin-folk singer and songwriter. Her blending of sound and sight in her music is what makes her unique. So far, she has won nine Austin Music Awards and will go on to win many more based on her ambition, talent, and genius. Not long ago, she was on a 14-country tour as an ambassador with the U.S. State Department. Gina has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert which has gained more than 630,000 views. She is now working on her EP Lightbeam and released her single, “Heaven Knows,” to keep the world on its toes. The sound of “Heaven Knows” is described as being “steeped in slow-burn soul and uptempo R&B.”

Click here to join the live broadcast on BIRN1!

Tune into BIRN1 on Sunday, October 7 at 8:00 p.m. for an exclusive interview with Ariel Engle of La Force.

La Force is Ariel Engle, vocalist and newest member of Broken Social Scene. La Force’s music is nocturnal electronic pop, topped with Engle’s enchanting vocals over dynamic production. Engle also brings La Force’s singularity to the familial energy of Broken Social Scene on the band’s 2017 album Hug of Thunder.

Born out of the culmination of AroarA – her previous music project with husband and Broken Social Scene bandmate Andrew Whiteman – La Force is a deep reflection of motherhood and the magical dismantlement that comes with the re-discovery of self. Continue reading “The BIRN Interview with Ariel Engle of La Force”

Tune in to BIRN1 on Saturday, October 13 at 4:00 p.m. for a live performance by alternative Americana band Havins.

Havins is an Alternative Americana band based in Boston, MA helmed by Singer-Songwriter Dillon Havins. Originally from Austin, TX, Dillon grew up listening to Texas Country, and currently appreciates indie artists such as Bon Iver, Shakey Graves, and Ben Howard. While attending Berklee College of Music, he crossed paths with his current band-mates, Claire Davis, Wilson Reardon, Jay Yin, Philip Etherington, and Ryan Siegel. As a band, they endeavor to bring the musical experience back down to the earth for their listeners, leaving them both enlivened and contemplative.

Some of the band member’s individual achievements include appearing on America’s Got Talent, writing music for television, playing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and performing at Lollapalooza, as well as notable Austin, New York City, and Atlanta music venues.

Listen to the live session and interview HERE.