LTV Studios will host “Folkie Fest” on Sunday, January 26 from 2pm to 5pm. in Wainscott. A wonderful way to to enjoy live music during the calmer months in the Hamptons. The lineup will feature local artists including Claudia Jacobs, Lina Maxine, Jeffery Bragman, Robert Bruey and Bart Woelk. Refreshments will be available and proceeds will benefit Long Island Cares.
Both Robert Bruey and Claudia Jacobs were kind enough to speak with Hamptons.com about their journeys and joy in playing live shows.
Robert Bruey is originally from northern Maine. He did electronics and camera work, and when the company moved their operations to Long Island, he went with them. He now lives in Baiting Hollow. The last time he played at LTV was in 2018 before COVID. When asked about his musical influences, he said, “I have to say, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings. I play mostly guitar and some piano, but I kind of just noodle on it. I write my songs on guitar.
Mr. Bruey has a unique finger-picking style. “I play guitar like chicken fingers, and I do a lot with my thumb. I get a lot of lower end where I use heavier gauge strings, so it’s very base-driven. It’s only really two fingers, my thumb, and my index finger. I don’t pick with any other fingers, so it is definitely unique. I will be accompanied by Justine Haupt-Van Popering, who will be playing percussion and violin, and my wife, Dana Bruey, will be singing backup vocals (at Folkie Fest).
Regarding his career, he said, “I started doing a lot of performing back in 2009, and I put up some videos on YouTube.” His albums are available on iTunes and Spotify.
Claudia Jacobs will also be performing “Folkie Fest” on Sunday, January 26. She explained, “I discovered the fabulous space that is LTV this past Fall. I couldn’t believe that a place like this existed outside of NYC! I grew up and studied theatre, and what we would call a black box space like the one I witnessed at LTV is probably one of my favorite creative environments. Combining that energy with passionate and eclectic music like happening at Folkie Fest will be a great experience.”
Ms. Jacobs shared she became aware only recently that Stephen Stills had a huge influence on her earlier work as did Joni Mitchell and David Bromberg. However, “most recently I think I’ve been returning to the “americana” music that I grew up with some Lucinda Williams spice.”
About whether she sings for her pleasure or to entertain the audience, she replied, “I might be selfish in this regard. I think folks would agree that I’m, for better or for worse, a spontaneous and passionate person and performer. I do get lost in a song. But, I would have to believe that if I’m having a good time, my audience is too!”
All musicians have a special night, a magical night when everything flows perfectly. Ms. Jacobs shared hers, saying, “Being my hardest critic, any show where I finish, I think, that was a good show! But upon some reflection, I realized that my most memorable show would be the Clearwater House Concert, which I did in a beautiful Brownstone in Manhattan very early in my career.” When asked why, she expanded, “It turned out to be very special for two reasons. First, it was a shared bill with me, a relative newbie, and two renowned musicians in the folk community, so the place was packed. Secondly, it took place the evening of the Challenger Shuttle disaster, and that morning, while I sat transfixed and stunned in front of the TV, I wrote my song Gone in an instant (one of the most intuitive and quickest, and premiered it that night creating an intense and passionate communal healing moment. Over the years, as you will with old songs, I rarely play it. But I will always share it at January gigs, the month of that devastating loss, as I will at the end of this month.” That is something powerful to look forward to at Folkie Fest.
Also performing will be LA-born singer Lina Maxine, with guitarist, Dean. They have written, produced and released the EP “you’re My only Friend” along with filming and producing all related video content themselves.
The other performer at “Folkie Fest” is Jeffrey Bragman, who grew up in Wisconsin. Some of Jeff’s early influences were Phil Ochs and Willis Alan Ramsey, and later, John Prine and Dylan. He moved toward country rock and classic heartbreak ballads, which felt more authentic. Reportedly, his debut album was Goodbye Baby, and he recently released an EP, Any Highway (both streamable).
Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased by visiting www.ltveh.org. Special thanks to Springs Brewery and Bottle Hampton for sponsoring.
