sT. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES

St. Paul & The Broken Bones formed in 2012, releasing their debut album Half the City in 2014 and its follow up, 2016’s Sea of Noise, too much acclaim.

Those strong efforts helped place them on the national scene, and the band worked hard to prove they were no mere retro-soul band — from touring the world relentlessly, including being selected to open for The Rolling Stones and headlining two nights at the Ryman Auditorium, to TV appearances including The Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan, Austin City Limits two appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, one being the very first episode.

Paul Janeway’s fearless showmanship, thoughtful lyrics, and dedication to his performance soon became the band’s calling card, and paired with the inventive and skillful direction of co-band leader Jesse Phillips as well as a full eight-man roster comprised of some of the best young instrumentalists in the South, they soon became a must-see event. (In addition to Janeway on lead vocals and Phillips on bass and guitar, the lineup is rounded out by Browan Lollar (guitars), Andrew Lee (drums), Al Gamble (keyboards), Allen Branstetter (trumpet), Chad Fisher (trombone) and Amari Ansari (saxophone), who replaced Jason Mingledorff following the album’s recording) Over time, Janeway has learned the art of balancing expectations and how to reconcile his past with his future, just as his band have learned how to overcome their perception by pushing against its ceiling. In embracing those things he cannot change, he has forged ahead as an artist and as a man. And with his band’s new album, Young Sick Camellia, Janeway has created a space for St. Paul & The Broken Bones to rival any forward-thinking band making music today, based on a concept all-too familiar to him: family, and how we love them despite our differences.

SASHA MASAKOWSKI

To be from New Orleans is to a have a unique view of life that stands in contrast to almost every other place. Sasha Masakowski grew up in a musicians home in a musicians city. Her father, Steve Masakowski, is a celebrated jazz guitarist; her mother Ulrike is a concert pianist and visual artist. Sasha describes her childhood as a ‘very colorful family dynamic’, which was mirrored on the street by the cultural vibrance of the city and the specific way people celebrate life (and death) with music and art. Yet it was not until she moved away to pursue her career that Sasha understood the full value and unique beauty of the city.

Art Market is a thrilling culmination of the past several years of experimentation and exploration in Sasha’s life. The album reads like a musical diary, chapters gathered from impressions of life spent touring the globe, and ultimately the decision to move from her hometown of New Orleans to NYC in pursuit of artistic growth. From lighthearted traditional swing to elegant modern jazz, intricate synth pop to edgy electronic art-rock, the constant thread throughout this album is Sasha’s voice- both literally and figuratively- audibly and artistically. Airy, delicate and sweet but layered with a depth of musical knowledge that proves her ears are in line with her vision, her vision in line with her adventurous spirit.