Brian Ripps

Sunday after Sunday. . .

September 26th, 2016

The Playwright does it again.

It has now become something of a game set upon ourselves to see how far we can take it at The Playwright Tavern on Sunday nights. This is now the 6th straight week Patrick & I have played at least 4 hours without taking a break and more or less conjured the set list as we went along, with an uncommonly limited number of requests. And what a wacky set we found our way into. Patrick had the great idea of actually keeping track for most of the night song for song, save for a couple of interludes, mashup, and what I like to call “afterthought tags”.

I had played three gigs already this weekend before Sunday night, and on top of that found out that the baseball world had lost a living legend in Jose Fernandez early yesterday morning. The gravitas didn’t set in right away, because it was too shocking and frankly ridiculous to accept as truth. But by the time we were in the car on the way to The Playwright it started to land that the last time I’d ever see the young man pitch was last Thursday and that the immense talent he possessed was now gone from the world, left to carry on as lore for all who love the game now, and in generations to come. I was kind of tired, and emotionally spent, but always ready to dig in to our comfortable 3’x3’ rectangle in the front windows of the pub on 49th street.

What I found was that my energy, so far from being sapped, had been churning and I became overcome with an inarticulable energy, determined to shed light with the devastation and exhaustion I was experiencing. Patrick and I were locked in from the word go, and as the vibe heightened, so did our imaginations and the time ever seems to fly because we allow ourselves to get carried away in the songs. For any who joined us, we hope very much that you enjoyed yourselves as well. We’ll see everyone next week!

The Beatles – We Can Work It Out
Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion
Johnny Cash – Ring of fire
Dire Straits – Money For Nothing
The Killers – Smile Like You Mean It
Stereophonics – Dakota
Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench
The New Basement Tapes – Kansas City
Oasis – Champagne Supernova
STP – Interstate Love Song
Soft Cell – Tainted Love
Jet – Are You Gonna Be My Girl?
Modern English – I Melt With You
David Bowie – Rebel, Rebel
Blind Melon – No Rain
Ed Sheeran/Marvin Gaye – Thinking Out Loud/ Let’s Get It On
Sublime – Santeria
Kid Cudi ft MGMT – Pursuit of Happiness
Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music
The Hollies – Long Cool Woman *(first time)
Hozier – Work song
Diddy ft Keisha Cole – Last night
Marc Cohn- Walking In Memphis
Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know
The Animals – House Of The Rising Sun
3 Doors Down – Kryptonite
The Strokes – Someday *(first time)
Arctic Monkeys – I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
Bon Iver – Skinny Love
Foo Fighters – Best of You
Mr. Big – Be With You
Oasis – Morning Glory
The Killers – Mr. Brightside
4 Non Blondes- What’s Goin On?
Radiohead – Creep
Brand New – The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
[The Script – Breakeven
Outkast – Roses]
Thin Lizzy/Metallica – Whiskey In The Jar
Bruce Springsteen – I’m on Fire/If I Should Fall Behind
Kings of Leon – Sex On Fire
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Seal – Kiss From A Rose

So Many Thanks. . .

September 16th, 2016

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This photo (courtesy of ShootMePeter) goes a long way to describe a great many things I’d have to say for myself, and everyone else involved with this past Monday night at Webster Hall.  I set out to cultivate an experience and feel I was wise enough to ask for help from a group of friends that have only ever brought the best out of me over the varying course of years I’ve known them all.  Everyone came to play.  Everyone came prepared.  Everyone contributed their seasoning and spice to a night that was truly brimming with flavor.  Lucky guy.

I am forever thankful.  I am warmed and humbled by the love and affection that flowed both ways from stage to crowd and back.  I am still filled with the joy we all felt together sharing the stage on a Monday evening.  And more than ever before I am inspired to set the bar even higher for this growing family and again exceed expectation.

Cheers to all of our collective evolution and to being part of the proof that music speaks where words cannot.

Thank you.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

Brian Ripps

Please comment below if you’d like to see another Brian Ripps & Friends Production.

Two Gigs in One

August 22nd, 2016

It was bound to happen at some point. When I tell people we play from “nine until forever” at The Playwright Tavern 49th St on Sunday nights, I’m not jokin’ around.

Patrick McDermott and I played our last note at 2:25AM on MONDAY morning 8/22 after starting at 9PM on Sunday 8/21.  On a highly anomalous note, we didn’t play any Beatles songs, but we did repeat one song which was Seal – Kiss From A Rose, making appearances as the 11PM number AND the 2AM number.

Other fun facts about this 95% request driven set list,

  • We played consecutive songs written by Bruce Springsteen, namely Because The Night and Blinded By The Light.  Those of you who know us best are aware we wouldn’t usually do that.  In this case however, given that the Boss never released Because The Night (it was co-written with Patti Smith, whose version was the definitive until 10,000 Maniacs put it on their MTV Unplugged record) and Blinded By The Light was made most famous by Manfred Mann, and in fact hit #1 (Bruce’s only number one, by the way) we thought that’d be a fun loophole.
  • Show staples Sex on Fire & Use Somebody (Kings of Leon)  CONTINUE to ignite crowds the world over no matter when in the set you play either one.  We have had those two in steady rotation since the release of Only By The Night in September of 2008 and it never gets old seeing people reconnect with the songs.  Instagram seems to suggest that the Kings have a new record on the way before too long.  A Sept-Oct release and subsequent tour wouldn’t surprise me at all.
  • Owing to the absurd humidity and occasional disfunction of the air conditioning unit, we not only elected to break out one of our seasonal favorites Summer In The City by The Lovin’ Spoonful (featured prominently in Die Hard: With A Vengeance), we also lost no fewer than 15 strings between the two of us over the marathon set.
  • We had visitors from as far afield as Australia, Mexico, Germany & Ireland and as near as Jersey. . hence the Bruce.
  • Breedlove guitars really stand up to the beating we put on them night after night, week after week, month after month.
  • We gave Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn a run for his money in terms of show length, and we weren’t forcibly removed.
  • You haven’t rocked in New York City until or unless you’ve Rocked with The Turn.  Luckily, we’re always out there and you’re always invited.

The bar has been set and reset by crowds at The Playwright over many years.  This was a very special evening and there’s plenty more to come.

See y’all soon.

The Upstate Swing and what’s to come. . .

August 16th, 2016
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Seedstock Festival w/ The Jackson Massive Cortland, NY 8/13/2016

The aftermath of the wedding reception at Hayloft on The Arch, Vernon Center, NY 8/12/2016

The aftermath of the wedding reception with The Turn at Hayloft on The Arch, Vernon Center, NY
8/12/2016

Screenshot from our Periscope feed at Bru 64, Cortland, NY, 8/11/2016

Screenshot from our Periscope feed at Bru 64, Cortland, NY, 8/11/2016

Needless to say this was an exciting road trip featuring Gabe Cummins playing every instrument in existence, the one and only Patrick McDermott (who has a new EP on the way himself) playing bass and keys, and the 10+ hours in the car allowed for some prospecting of what you can expect for the rest of this year.  Here’s what I’ve got for you!

  • A yet to be titled Brian Ripps EP
  • Hates Me, The first official single from The Jackson Massive
  • A new EP from The Turn featuring two previously unreleased tracks and a brand new song.

Between now and then, tickets are on sale for CONTINUUM 10 at Webster Hall which will also be my birthday party and all I want is for you to come and see it.

More news forthcoming, I promise.  Thank you all so much for following along.  I’ll see you out there.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

B

 

BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA / CONTINUUM 10

July 10th, 2016

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As you may have seen!  The pieces are coming together and there are already so many thank you’s to say I barely know where to start.  For now:

  • Get your tickets here and check back for updates as more details come in.  Thank you so very much in advance for being a part of this!

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

BR

CONTINUUM 10

May 24th, 2016

Continuum_(album)

Hello!

As some of you may have seen, I am going to be working with some of my closest friends to put on a ten year anniversary show for John Mayer’s record Continuum. It’s going to be an exciting project and we’re looking forward to welcoming some friends from around the country to come and share their story of how the record helped shape or influence them personally and professionally. Ideally we’ll celebrate on the date of release (September 12, 2006) in New York City, where John himself launched the record. This will also likely serve as my birthday party, so save a vacation day for Tuesday 9/13 and stay out to celebrate with us! Who knows, maybe he’ll pop by and join us for a song or two?

In the meantime as we work to secure musicians/acts and venue details, I’ll be accepting e mails from those who want to participate on an artist level, and also early-bird reservations for attendees, possible sponsors, charitable organizations, and anyone who might want to get involved promotionally.

I’m looking forward to working together! See y’all out there.

Austin, Texas

April 23rd, 2016

It was a wild week in Austin!  Saw some old friends, made some new ones and wrote a couple of songs along the way.  There will be a great recap at TheJacksonMassive.com by early next week and a whole lot of other show announcements coming soon.

Special thanks to Buzz Mill Coffee for their cold brew and accommodations and the Renaissance Hotel in Austin for having us on Friday night!

Check the calendar for what’s happening the rest of this month and into May!  Thank you so much for coming by.

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

Brian

All of the news. . .

March 1st, 2016

Hello all!

Thank you for checking in!  What’s happening?  Tonight I’ll be at Turtle Bay and then heading out to Los Angeles for the remainder of the week.  Of COURSE I’ll be home for The Playwright on Sunday but in between, here’s some stuff that’ll be going on.

Thursday 3/3 @ 7PM – The Renaissance at LAX

Friday 3/4 @ 9PM – w/ Janet Krupin State Social House (West Hollywood)

I’ll also be writing and recording new music and will have some video to prove it!

Peace Love and Vocal Harmonies

December!?

December 1st, 2015

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I simply can’t believe we’re in the last 31 days of 2015.  It has been an incredible ride, again, due almost entirely to anyone reading this, so I thank you for your love, and ongoing support.  I’m certain there’s plenty more to come in the new year and look forward to sharing some new projects and ideas with everyone.

I’m en route to gig #262 at Turtle Bay, and will be playing all month long throughout NYC and encourage you to check my calendar to see where I’ll be so we can share in some holiday cheer!

Patrick and I will be at Stout in the Financial District at 90 John St. on New Year’s Eve.  Your attendance is highly encouraged.

Also, I’m opening for Rob Thomas next Tuesday 12/8 alongside my dear longtime friend Jake Incao and his band Quarter Horse at The Paramount in Huntington.  At the risk of being redundant I’ll say, fancy that!

Thank you.  Happy, healthy, safe holiday season.  I love you.

 

Tour wrap up, new music, the road ahead!

June 18th, 2015

I have sat down to write this enough times that I think now I’m just going to go for it and give the brevity thing a try.

The last year has been such a wild ride and it would not have been complete without so many of you that I need to thank.  From couches and guest rooms to crash in, to rides and personal tour guides all around Los Angeles, Boston, Nashville and Chicago, my gratitude cannot go understated and I can’t wait to pay you all back in kind with new music, hugs, and love the next time I come through your city.  It was with your help that I was able to be part of a chapter that raised over one million dollars for cancer research – and the Tour4ACure would not have been possible without you.

Keep your eyes on the calendar so you can come catch a show if you’re in my neighborhood or when I’m going to be back in yours!  In the meantime please enjoy the first cut of my new song Verge of Breaking and feel free to share it widely!