Debo Band, Lady Rizo, and More Set for Joe's Pub This Week

Each week Joe's Pub at The Public presents some of New York City's most eclectic programming ranging from world to classical, pop, singer-songwriter, jazz and more. At the center of Joe's Pub's genre-blind booking is The Public Theater's mission to bring world-class performance to New York City's diverse cultural community.

DEBO BAND / THE RELATIVES

January 14 at 7:00 PM
$15

Bandleader Danny Mekonnen, lead singer Bruck Tesfaye and their nine partners in the Boston-based outfit Debo Band were inspired by eminences of the Golden Age of Ethiopian popular music -Astatke; singers Mahmoud Ahmed, Tilahun Gessesse, Alemayehu Eshete, Bezunesh Bekele. Mekonnen, an ethnomusicologist by training, speaks with awe of the moment he received several hundred MP3s from an elder in Washington, D.C. (that hub of the Ethiopian diaspora). Other Debo members, like electric violinist Jonah Rapino, credit Ethiopiques for making them aware of the sound. The band's new album includes songs (some traditional) that one or another of these icons performed in their time, alongside material from the repertoire of Azmari praise-singers, and Debo originals. Call it Gospel Funk! In truth, the sound of The Relatives is so much more. Formed in 1970 by veteran Dallas Gospel singer Rev. Gean West and his brother Tommie, The Relatives' sound bridges the gap between traditional Gospel, Soul and Psychedelia. In the early 1970's, they recorded three obscure singles and a previously unreleased session-all of which are compiled on the acclaimed 2009 anthology, Don't Let Me Fall. The release of the anthology brought The Relatives back together as a band, planting the seeds for their 2013 Yep Roc release, The Electric Word, which was recorded and produced by Jim Eno of Spoon. The Relatives are spawned from the same fervent Pentecostal tradition that begat Elder Utah Smith. In the 1950's and 60's, the West family were Dallas Gospel royalty and often hosted traveling musicians including a young Aretha Franklin, The Staple Singers, Lou Rawls, and O.V. Wright.

Gabriel Kahane

January 14 at 9:30 PM
$15

Gabriel Kahane is not part of a scene. He writes string quartets and musicals and pop songs, and his heart is fully in all of those endeavors. But what unites all of his musical efforts is the desire to communicate honestly and without pretense. On his rich and focused sophomore LP, Where are the Arms, Gabriel has brought together an all-star band including Rob Moose (Bon Iver, Antony and The Johnsons, The National), Casey Foubert (Sufjan Stevens, Richard Swift, Pedro The Lion), and Matt Johnson (Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright), in support of eleven intricate and literate, yet clear and accessible songs. This is a record to play on repeat, soaking up the details!

Amy Lynn & AND THE GUNSHOW

January 15 at 7:00 PM
$20

Amy Lynn & The Gunshow, a 9-piece band, led by lovebirds Amy & Alex, has a 60's pop and soul sound marked by powerhouse singers and infectious horn licks as especially fertile ground on which to showcase their combined talents. Together and apart they have played all around the world gracing the stage with Duffy, St. Vincent, Lucy Woodward, Yo La Tengo, Spoon, The Radio City Orchestra and many more. Given the Gunshow's standout showmanship and feel-good energy, it's no wonder that their performances at NYC's top venues have met with glowing reviews.