This past June, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz swore in Astoria resident and Queens native Maria Lisella as the new Queens Poet Laureate. Maria will be joining us at Central Library on Sunday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. for our Open Mic for Poets.
Maria Lisella is the sixth poet to serve as the borough’s Poet Laureate. Born in South Jamaica, Queens, Maria moved with her family to Bellerose and lived as a student in Flushing before she settled in Astoria 40 years ago. Maria graduated from Queensborough Community College and Queens College, earned a Master’s degree from NYU-Polytechnic School of Engineering, and studied Social Media at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Maria is the author of three books of poetry: the recently published collection Thieves in the Family and the chapbooks Amore on Hope Street and Two Naked Feet. Her poetry has also been published in Feile-Fiesta, LIPS, Paterson Literary Review, Skidrow Penthouse, The New York Quarterly, First Literary Review East, and Pirene’s Fountain. Maria won Honorable Mention in the 2014 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award competition and is a charter member of brevitas, an online poetry circle.
Maria has also been a travel writer and editor for 30 years, visiting 60 countries during her career and developing a familiarity with many different cultures. Her travel writing has appeared in numerous outlets, including USA Today, Travel + Leisure, The Dallas Morning News, and FOXNews.com. She also contributes to La Voce di New York, an Italian and English bilingual online newspaper.
We were pleased to speak with Maria recently about her career, her plans for her new position, and more.
You were born and raised in Queens. What role has Queens Library played in your life?
When I was a young child, my father went to night school to study engineering. Each night after dinner, he went to the library to do homework, and I joined him. I can still recall the comforting aroma of the library's furniture, oak chairs and tables; the silence in the reading room; the enormous comfort of being able to read anything I wanted; having a million books around me. One of the first cards I ever got was a library card—it was my ticket to be with Dad, to learn new things, and spend time with books...the light was always quite golden, the voices hushed, the atmosphere welcoming. Today I sometimes forget and buy a book instead of borrowing it; I feel I should get back to the tradition of reading a great book and passing it on to the next person.
How did you decide to apply for Queens Poet Laureate? What was your reaction when you learned you had been chosen?
I competed for the position several years ago, but wasn’t chosen. Since then, I have published two chapbooks and NYQ Books published my first collection of poetry, Thieves in the Family. Additionally, I have been curating a reading series that has become quite successful—so all those facts together convinced me I might have something more to contribute to promoting poetry, particularly in Queens. I was over-the-top thrilled to find out I had won.
We’re excited to partner with you and the Borough President’s office to bring new literary events and programs to the people of Queens. Can you tell us a little about what you have planned, even if it’s in the initial stages?
I think traveling the library circuit with small, intimate readings may reach the most people. A larger project I have planned is a website that would feature poems by Queens poets, some of whom may speak and write in two languages. I proposed that we could run those poets' work in both their native language and English, with an audio component so we can hear the author read the poem in his or her native tongue. No one reads their work in their second language with the same passion as they do in their first, and even if the audience doesn't understand the words, they will feel the intent.
You’ve lived in Astoria for the past 40 years. How do you feel about the changes happening there and the new wave of popularity that Queens is enjoying?
Seeing your neighborhood transform into a real estate investor’s dream brings a confusion of feelings.
Lonely Planet's recent observations about Queens are terrific, and so is the influx of an energetic new population. At the same time, the new arrivals have chosen Astoria more often for affordable rents than for its charm and European quality of life. It’s great Queens is getting some new-found attention, but not if it threatens the people and cultures currently here.
Maybe, as a poet, I read between the lines. Queens neighborhoods are growing, but is it an artificial energy propelling that growth? If this means we can get better schools, libraries with longer hours, and a multitude of enhancements that improve all our lives, that is wonderful, but by and large my own neighborhood is being surrounded by luxury housing, which threatens the current residents.
Can you describe how your work as a journalist and your world travels have inspired your poetry?
I’ve had incredible opportunities to meet people of different cultures and ethnicities, not just here in Queens but in their home countries. Much of my poetry reflects the words of guides, cooks, waiters, or colleagues I have encountered across the globe. I try to give voice to their stories.
Who are some of your favorite authors and poets, and who are you reading now?
This is a hard question, because I read everything, from cereal boxes, to signs on subways, to novels and poetry and short stories. The last few books I’ve read have been by friends or other authors I have featured in the literary series I curate at The Cornelia Street Café and at Sidewalk Café. Those books have included a mystery novel, a historic novel, and a memoir, and I have learned something from each of them. My husband is also a writer and poet, and from him I have learned the art of continual revision.
But those who inspired me as a teenager included Rod McKuen, e.e. cummings, and W.B. Yeats. When I entered college, I took one of the first Black Literature courses offered, and there I encountered Mari Evans, Nikki Giovanni, and Langston Hughes, all of whom spoke to me, as we were all outsiders. I think James Baldwin is among America’s finest, most searing authors. For poets, I would choose Philip Levine, Lucille Clifton, Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Paola Corso...and so many others.
What advice do you have for aspiring poets who are trying to find their voice, and for people who find poetry intimidating?
Read everything; listen to everything; edit everything over and over. Follow living authors you love; if you live in New York City, you are so close to other writers. Don’t be afraid of any of them…but go to their readings with the intention of listening. Take notes, ask questions. Find a workshop suited to you; or ask if a poet you like will be offering a workshop, and study with him or her. Keep a journal; write notes that do not have to make sense; write down your dream fragments. Keep fit physically, as it clears your mind.
Sometimes the most important poem takes you a decade to really complete. For instance, you may have a conflicted relationship with someone, but find it hard to write about it. You might be surprised—that scrap of a note to yourself that you write now may kick off a feeling in five years related to the relationship that is troubling you so, and, bit by bit, you will find the words to fit that relationship. And when you do, you may be opening the door for another person who has a similarly tough relationship, and you may show that person how to deal with it just by giving voice to your experience. Just letting others know they are not alone in the way they feel is a very gratifying accomplishment for a writer.
Looking for new music? Look no further than your local Queens Library! Every month, our expert staff will bring you the best of what's new in our collection.
Check out these music recommendations for October!
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness
The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) hails from Ontario and is currently the king of the Billboard R&B chart. His second album, Beauty Behind the Madness, already has 3 hit singles and is, so far, the second best-selling CD of 2015. He cites Prince and Michael Jackson as his main influences and it is easy to hear how he channels those artists in his songs. The music has great crossover appeal, so don’t be surprised when people over 35 start tuning in. Check out the video for “Can’t Feel My Face.”
Vince Staples, Summertime ‘06
Vince Staples is a rapper from California who is part of the group Cutthroat Boyz. Summertime ‘06 is his debut solo album and it has caught a critical wave of praise for his lyricism and production. Vince is a former gang banger who chose to follow a musical path away from the dead-end street he was on, and his experiences are reflected in his songs. Though the topics may not be new, his approach and style are definitely not old school. Hear for yourself on the song “Señorita."
Hilary Duff, Breathe In. Breathe Out.
It has been eight years since actor/singer Hilary Duff’s last record, but Breathe In. Breathe Out. is finally here and her fans have not forgotten her. The album debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Top 200 and received generally good reviews. On BIBO, Hilary sticks with the pop/glam/dance formula that has worked so well for her in the past. And while being labeled as “mindless pop fun” might be seen as a negative, in this case it is entirely accurate and a positive critique. So, get ready to dance and stream the whole album now from Freegal.
NF, Mansion
NF is short for Nate Feuerstein, who is a gospel rapper from Michigan, and Mansion is his debut album. If the term “gospel rap” makes you think NF is a robed choir boy, think again. His style is all raw emotion and passion with heavy beats straight from a horror movie soundtrack. It is the modern equivalent of fire and brimstone. You won’t be hearing this in church anytime soon, but it may inspire you to visit. Give the video for “Intro” a try.
Rap Club, Hot! Fresh! Delicious!
In North Carolina, the New Hanover Public Library has a rap club. To quote their mission statement, “Research has shown that children who are better rhymers are better readers. Rap Club gives children the opportunity to play with language and express themselves in a creative way." They decided to record an album and the result is Hot! Fresh! Delicious!. It is absolutely charming and a call to arms to Queens Library to show them we can do it, too! Until then, check out the video they made for “No Food is Allowed in the Library."
Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
Australian musician Courtney Barnett has become this year’s darling of the indie music scene. Her songs are getting radio play on alternative rock stations as well as NPR. Courtney’s lyrics run from whimsical and surreal to darkly comic and her lyrical style is like a cross between Bob Dylan and Kurt Cobain. Her debut full-length album Sometimes I Sit… is already on many "best of 2015” lists, and you can stream every song from Freegal.
Various Artists, Loose the Funk: Rarities from the Jewel/Paula Vaults
Record collectors have always known that digital music providers like Pandora, Spotify, and even iTunes don’t have everything. Many still prowl through dusty record bins at flea markets and garage sales looking for lost treasure. Others wait for label compilations like Loose the Funk to do the work for them. Taken from the vaults of Jewel Records and its subsidiary label, Paula Records, both in Louisiana, these tracks from the 1960s and '70s have roots in jazz, blues, and gospel, but they all cross over to the funk. There’s a party going on here and you’re invited. Start with “Prove It” by the Genies.
Titus Andronicus, The Most Lamentable Tragedy
Titus Andronicus is a punk band from New Jersey with a Shakespearean name and a lot of conceptual music. Their current album is a 29-song rock opera about the lead singer/songwriter’s manic depression. His name is Patrick Stickles and he must be tough to work with as the band has had over 20 former members in its ten-year career. That said, they have plenty of fans and have appeared on late night TV several times. The music is fast, loud, and theatrical. Watch a 15-minute video from the new album’s second act, "The Magic Morning."
Elvis Perkins, I Aubade
Elvis Perkins is a folk-rock musician who had success with his first two albums but has been out of sight for the past five years. That is his real name, by the way. His father is famous Psycho actor Anthony Perkins, who was a huge Elvis Presley fan. As for his new album I Aubade, it's a lo-fi collection of poem songs that demand repeated listening to be fully appreciated. This may be worrisome to his fans, who are more used to the exuberant and anthemic songs of his previous albums. Here, his sly songcraft shows a talent for rhythmic poetry that complements his plaintive, dreamy vocal style. Listen to his song “Hogus Pogus."
The Skints, FM
The Skints are a ska/punk/reggae outfit from London known for their live shows and infectious grooves. Their lyrics are always about how hard life is in East London, but their melodies are sunny and light. Their third album, FM, is a concept album about a fictional radio station and the influence its music and DJs have on the lives of down-and-out kids. Playing with that concept, they do cover versions of influential songs by artists such as Lily Allen and Black Flag. Check out their video for the song “This Town."
Looking for new music? Look no further than your local Queens Library! Every month, our expert staff will bring you the best of what's new in our collection.
Check out these music recommendations for September!
Lila Downs, Balas y Chocolate
Lila Downs is an American-Mexican singer-songwriter who has lived throughout Mexico and the USA. She sings in many indigenous Mexican languages, such as Mixtec, Mayan and Zapotec, but her song arrangements are not always so traditional. The title of her latest album translates to “Bullets and Chocolate,” although the concept is more about ideas and strength. Her songs may have roots in political folk music but Lila has recorded in many styles, including rap, rock, flamenco and ska. Check out the title track.
Casey J, The Truth
Casey J is an elementary school teacher from Atlanta who has been singing gospel since she was 12 years old. Her pastor encouraged her to record the Will Reagan tune “Fill Me Up” and it soon became a radio hit. With that kind of encouragement, she recorded the whole album The Truth live at the Fresh Start church in Duluth. It went immediately to number one on the Billboard gospel chart the week it was released. Watch the lyric video for "Fill Me Up."
Various Artists, The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Salsa
There are dozens of titles in the Rough Guide series and most of them are worth your time. One of the latest focuses on psychedelic salsa, which could easily be dismissed as “Santana at Woodstock” but is so much more. Yes, the Sixties are represented, but so are many current bands with new ideas on what it means to be psychedelic. From synth effects to warped trumpets, these songs are not the typical soundtrack at your local Mexican restaurant. The Rough Guide folks have even created a YouTube playlist for the CD.
Prince Royce, Double Vision
Prince Royce is a pop singer from the Bronx who, until now, has recorded primarily songs in Spanish. Double Vision is his first English-language album, but there is still a hint of Latin soul in its grooves. The songs are primarily modern R&B, slow ballads and up-tempo numbers to fit many moods. Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Lopez and Tyga are featured on various tracks, but the star is undoubtedly Prince Royce. You can hear the entire album on Freegal.
Best Coast, California Nights
Best Coast is a primarily indie rock duo from Los Angeles consisting of singer-songwriter Bethany Cosentino and multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno. Their dreamy, sometimes droning (yet catchy) sound is influenced by 1960s surf and garage bands, the Go-Go’s and My Bloody Valentine. Although the group was formed in 2009, they would have fit right in at Lollapalooza 1994. They seem to be finding favor with young fans who like to play real instruments and use analog gear. Watch the video for the new album’s title track.
Wale, The Album About Nothing
Is that Jerry Seinfeld guesting on a rap album? It certainly is! D.C. rapper Wale has a history of compiling Seinfeld-themed mixtapes, and his latest CD takes that concept to the next level. Jerry acts as a narrator for the songs while Wale does his go-go influenced raps on all manner of social issues. This could be the start of a new trend in hip hop, sampling sitcoms as a point/counterpoint to the lyrics. Hear what that sounds like on the song "Matrimony."
James Bay, Chaos and the Calm
English singer-songwriter James Bay is currently being featured in Apple Music ads as an artist "you are about to love." You have to love someone who says they attended the School of Wearing Silly Hats. He is a classically-trained guitarist and his vocal style is sensitive but strong. Fans of Hozier or Sam Smith should appreciate Bay’s debut album. Watch the video for his first single "Let It Go."
Neil Young, The Monsanto Years
Neil Young, the godfather of grunge, likes to write impulsive songs when he’s angry. The most famous example is "Ohio," which he wrote after the shootings at Kent State in 1970. His latest target is corporate America and its stranglehold on politics, our economy and, ultimately, our lives. It is obvious that this album was put together quickly; it lacks polish and editing that could have made it more radio-friendly. However, Neil’s wrath cannot be conveyed in a pretty consumer-ready package and that is the point. Watch as he takes on a well-known coffee shop chain in the video for "A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop."
Lord Huron, Strange Trails
Ben Schneider started Lord Huron as a solo project in Los Angeles in 2012 but soon enlisted a full band to realize the sound he wanted. The music is best defined as indie folk, but elements of country and world music are also evident. Their second CD Strange Trails is a concept album with stories of characters who inhabit a dark apocalyptic dream world. The band is pretty mysterious and vague during interviews and they prefer to let the music do the talking. Hear a whole album of what they have to say on Freegal.
Jamie Foxx, Hollywood
If you only know Jamie Foxx from his TV comedy show or as the actor who played Ray Charles and Electro (not in the same movie), then you need to check out his musical talent as well. Since 2005, he has been putting out award-winning albums of R&B, soul and rap. His latest effort, Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses, features songs about relationships in the movie capitol and how hard it is to find real love. Although it hasn’t been a hit with the critics, the fans put it at the top of the charts. Check out the song "In Love By Now."
Award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter David Spaltro, whose credits include The Cat’s Cradle (2014), Things I Don’t Understand (2012) and …Around (2008), will present an advance screening of his new horror movie, In the Dark (2015), at Central Library on Wednesday, September 9.
David’s first feature film, ...Around, is a love-letter to New York City and a partial autobiography of his time at film school, and was a critical and festival success. Things I Don't Understand, which he wrote, directed, produced and edited, also went on to critical acclaim—it was included in over 45 film festivals and won 18 Best Feature awards, as well as a host of acting, writing and directing honors.
David is currently involved in an adaptation of Gothic horror novelist Steven Peck's A Short Stay in Hell, as well as writing, directing and producing Wake Up in New York, the final chapter of his NYC Valentine Trilogy. He's also developing a TV miniseries, Welcome to Hockey Town; a dark comedy set in the CIA world called Spooks; and the supernatural thriller Relics.
We’re happy that David took a few moments from his busy schedule to answer some questions for us about his films and his career.
You grew up in Jersey City, so you may not have visited Queens Library all that much—but what role have libraries played in your life?
Libraries have had a huge influence. I always loved reading, so the idea that there was a place, long before the Internet or technology, that provided you with access to all kinds of books and knowledge was great. As a storyteller, discovering so many different voices and experiences through countless hours spent reading has made all the difference in the way I tell my own stories, but also in how I see the world. I remember many a time during my college days, when I was between places to live, basically killing as much time as possible reading and re-reading all that the School of Visual Arts Library had to offer. It's made me a better, well-rounded person.
You funded your first feature film using 40 credit cards! That shows some ingenuity, but it must have been frightening, too. What did you learn from that experience?
Firstly, never do that again. Ever. In all seriousness, the one thing it taught me was that sometimes, especially when you're young, you have to take a risk—hopefully a calculated one, but fortune mostly favors the bold, and you really just have to go out there and try. You accept the consequences, and try to come from the purest place imaginable, so that no matter what level of outcome you can at least be at peace and happy that you did SOMETHING.
In the Dark is your first stab at horror. What made you decide to try tackling that genre?
It was just fortuitous timing, really. I had been in development on a third feature film, and slated to go into production, but we hit a financing snag that put the brakes on it. I was a little burned out after all that work, and not sure if I should take a break, try to get that film up and running again, or look at a different project, when I was contacted by an investor who wanted to make their own feature, a horror film, and needed a script.
I took the meeting, thinking it was just to write a film, and ended up being offered the reigns to direct it as well. It was a mad dash to complete the script, but literally 14 months after that meeting I was able to hand the investor a completed film. I had no real intentions of delving into the genre, at least at that point, but I was starving creatively, and saw it as a good chance to grow and learn as a storyteller. It was a unique, very rare instance, where someone offers a writer-director the freedom to play with that canvas, as long as it’s clearly a horror film and something they can use commercially.
Your next five projects certainly sound interesting, and not that related to each other. Do you enjoy the challenge of switching from movies to TV, and telling so many different types of stories?
I think we live in a great age where there is no “best” medium to tell a story; it's really just finding what the story is, and letting that guide you into telling it completely. For me, as an artist, I always look to grow and step outside my comfort zone, so I think playing with the different ways you can create and tell a narrative, the different freedoms and restrictions in those structures, is a good way to grow and also shape your voice.
Without giving too much away, what can we expect from In the Dark? What are your hopes for its release?
In the Dark is an attempted shot of energy and breath of fresh air into a popular, but overcrowded, genre marketplace. It combines the thrills and chills that are a staple of horror with a strong, original story, headed by a cast of some of NYC’s most talented actresses. It's a lovingly bloody valentine to the inspirational works of Stephen King and John Carpenter, to 1973’s The Exorcist and The X-Files. My hope is that audiences can be entertained, clearly scared, but also enjoy a solid story with some real, organic characters and the strong female roles that are all too rare nowadays.
What’s your dream project, the movie or TV show you would make if money were no object?
I was working on an adaptation of the life of Jack Parsons, a scientist for NASA who helped us get to the moon and created the modern basis for rocket fuel, but who was also a practicing sex magician/occultist, got involved with L. Ron Hubbard and Aleister Crowley , and ended up losing all his money and blowing himself up. His dual life is fascinating, how both sides conflicted and complemented each other and how little known his story is because of how scandalous it was—he's pretty much been written out of the history books. The book we were trying to option was eventually picked up by Ridley Scott's company, who are now doing a miniseries for AMC.
Outside of that, writing and directing a Batman movie. Hopefully, Warner Bros is listening....
What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers or someone trying to finance their first film?
Just go out and tell your story. We live in a great day and age where it has never been easier to make something of high quality and then send it out to find an audience. Finding that audience is the trickier part. I think, even if you just have a camera phone, just make your movie. Express yourself—just do it for that simple fact. From there, each time, push yourself creatively, raise your goals, and never stop working at your craft. Do it because you love it and because it's so, so, SO hard but incredibly rewarding in more ways than I can count. The people I’ve met and the opportunities I've had outweigh any hardship or difficulties by miles. Build a network of like-minded, talented people—a family—and tell your stories.
Patricia Park’s debut novel, Re Jane, is a fresh, contemporary retelling of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre that takes its Korean-American heroine, Jane Re, on a journey from Queens to Brooklyn to Seoul—and back.
Patricia was born and raised in Queens and is a graduate of Bronx High School of Science and Swarthmore College. She earned an M.F.A. in Fiction from Boston University and is a former Fulbright Scholar and Emerging Writer Fellow at the Center for Fiction. Patricia has published essays in The New York Times, Slice Magazine, the Guardian and others and taught writing at Boston University, CUNY Queens College and Ewha Womans University in Seoul.
Patricia will join us at Queens Library at Flushing on Wednesday, August 19 to discuss her novel—and we’re very pleased that she answered some questions for us in advance of her talk!
You grew up in the Korean community in Flushing, Queens. What role did Queens Library play in your life?
Thanks to Queens Library, I was always kept up-to-date with my childhood favorites: Sweet Valley Twins and The Baby-Sitters Club series. I used to live down the block from the McGoldrick branch, and in high school I frequented the Flushing main branch.
Re Jane is a modern, Korean-American retelling of Jane Eyre. How did you come up with such an interesting idea for your first novel?
I loved the idea of taking a classic I’d loved since age 12 but setting it in the worlds I knew: Korean-American Flushing, gentrifying Astoria and the blue-collar outer boroughs. I guess my timing's right because retellings seem to be all the rage!
How much of your own upbringing and experiences did you draw on for Re Jane?
Background-wise, Jane and I both grew up in Queens and witnessed the cultural clashes between Manhattan and the (less glamorous) outer boroughs, as well as the Korean immigrant community vs. mainstream America. Personality-wise: Jane and I are very different people!
Jane Eyre deals with many themes, especially trying to find a place where you belong. How does your novel tackle those themes and also connect them to the immigrant experience?
Questions of identity and belonging are huge themes in Re Jane. Ultimately, I wanted to challenge questions like, "Where are you really from?"
What are you working on now?
I'm writing about the Korean community in Buenos Aires, Argentina, inspired by my family’s experiences there.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers and people trying to finish their first novel?
Keep at it. Re Jane took me about a decade to finish!
(Credit: photo of Patricia Park by Allana Taranto)
Looking for new music? Look no further than your local Queens Library! Every month, our expert staff will bring you the best of what's new in our collection.
Check out these music recommendations for July!
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, The Traveling Kind
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell have been collaborating since the 1970s, but they never released an album together until 2013’s Old Yellow Moon. That album was such a success that they’ve decided to do another collection of duets on The Traveling Kind. The songs range from Memphis soul grooves to country-style folk ballads, telling stories of love and struggle. Listen to the title track.
Passion Pit, Kindred
Passion Pit is really just one guy from Cambridge, Massachussetts—Michael Angelakos—plus whomever else he hires to perform live. Angelakos started the project in 2007 and released his first album two years later. Dubbed “indietronica,” the sound is a combination of indie rock with synthpop, making the songs the equivalent of bubblegum pop for hipsters. It is very catchy material, and the song “Lifted Up (1985)” is already on some critics’ Summer Hits lists for 2015. You can stream the whole album on Freegal.
Murs, Have A Nice Life
Who is Murs? The deep answers to that question may be found in the songs on his new solo album. The basic info is that he is a long-time rapper from LA, real name Nick Carter, who has worked with just about everyone in the business. But, as he says in the song “Surprises,” he’s not a name-dropper. The themes on this album may be surprising as well: getting old, children, family and showing respect. He pretty much lays it all out in the title track.
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
As the singer for the band the SteelDrivers, Chris Stapleton got country fans' attention with his traditional styling. He’s also a talented songwriter with four number-one hits (recorded by others) to his credit. Now a solo artist, Chris hopes to get a few hits as a singer-songwriter from his debut album Traveller. He writes songs of a true Southern character, full of bad habits and yearning for something just over the horizon. Listen to the title track.
Tech N9ne, Special Effects
Aaron Dontez Yates, better known as Tech N9ne, started rapping and recording in 1999. He founded the label Strange Music and has gone on to sell over two million records. His work can be heard in movies, videogames and TV shows. Special Effects is his 15th album and many believe it could be his break-out crossover hit. The tracks are powerful, with nods to rap/rock, hip hop and even EDM. There are a lot of guest stars, but Tech is clearly the focus. Listen to the first single, "Lacrimosa."
Todd Rundgren, Global
If you haven’t given much thought to Todd Rundgren since "Hello, It’s Me," that song is over 40 years old and you have a lot of catching up to do. Todd is a multi-talented musician, songwriter, producer, composer and conceptual artist who has been very busy on countless projects. His latest solo album (his 25th) is about not looking inward but reaching out. It is mostly in synth/EDM-style, which may alienate his older rock-n-roll audience, but club kids will appreciate the thoughts behind the beats. Check out the video for the song "Terra Firma."
Florence + the Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Florence Welch has a big, soulful voice and she knows how to use it. Her band’s last album, Ceremonials, got them global recognition and a lot of awards. They hoped to repeat the magic with their third album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. When it was released earlier this year, it went immediately to Number One in eight countries, including the USA. Florence + the Machine have come to stay. Check out the album’s second single, "Ship to Wreck."
Sleeping with Sirens, Madness
Sleeping with Sirens is a post-emo pop punk band from Orlando. It’s a millennial thing. Lead singer Kellin Quinn’s vocals are the main attraction, as his tenor leggiero range is instantly recognizable atop the band’s guitars. Their rebel anthem song “Kick Me” is destined to become the new anti-establishment theme for angst-ridden adolescents. But before you stage dive off the deep end, try one of their mellower songs, "The Strays."
Muse, Drones
Muse is a British rock band that has gained a lot of popularity in the USA without much airplay or touring here. Their seventh album, Drones, is a concept album literally about drone warfare and dehumanization. The message is clear —when we lose our empathy, we become no better than the drones we employ to kill others from a distance. Fittingly, the band mostly abandons their recent use of electronica and gets back to guitars and drums. Watch the video for the song "Reapers."
Ciara, Jackie
Ciara Princess Harris, better known as just Ciara, got a lot of attention in 2004 for her first hits "Goodies" and "Oh." Her first album went triple platinum and she was dubbed "the First Lady of Crunk&B." Since then, Ciara has had middling success with her music and acting. Now, she has released her sixth album, Jackie, and has completed her first headliner tour since 2009. While sales have been slow, she hopes that the next single, "Dance Like We're Making Love," will be a summer hit. You can hear the whole album on Freegal.
by Maggie Schreiner, Outreach Coordinator, Queens Memory
Many items that can help add to the history of Queens are sitting forgotten in apartments and basements all over our borough, potentially being damaged by poor storage conditions. Over the past three years, the Queens Memory program (a collaboration of Queens Library and Queens College) has encouraged members of our community to dig out these items and bring them to the library. And now we’re expanding that work to even more neighborhoods in Queens.
Queens Memory, in collaboration with the Metropolitan New York Library Council and the Brooklyn Public Library, will spend the next year hosting community history events at ten libraries across Queens. This cross-institutional collaboration, Culture in Transit, is a recent winner of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight News Challenge, and has a simple objective: democratizing the cultural heritage of New York City.
With the support of our partners and the Knight Foundation, Queens Memory will continue to provide community members with the tools and technology to share their Queens memorabilia and cultural heritage with the world. We're looking for materials like photographs, fliers and documents from families, businesses, block associations or community organizations.
As part of our Culture in Transit partnership, we have a mobile digitization lab (including a scanner, laptop and camera) which we bring to our community history events. Customers can bring in their family photos, documents and other memorabilia, and we digitize the materials on-site. All scanning is handled by Queens Memory staff and volunteers, and we don’t keep the original materials, just the digital copies. We return the originals on the same day, and also provide customers with a free flash drive containing additional digital copies of their materials. We include the scanned images on our website and also share them with the Digital Public Library of America.
Left: Our mobile digitization lab, all packed and ready to go!
Right: Queens Library staff member Dacia Metes at the Broad Channel Library in August 2014 with local resident Patricia Rosendale.
Queens Memory isn't just about digital preservation. We want community members to be active participants in shaping Queens history. By contributing and sharing materials, they are choosing how their neighborhood will be represented and remembered, playing an important role in the democratization of culture heritage. This is a great opportunity to meet neighbors, share stories and engage with local history in a unique way.
We have hosted events at Broad Channel, Court Square, Long Island City, Seaside, St Albans, and Sunnyside in the past, and we are excited to expand this project to new community libraries and neighborhoods over the coming year! Contact us to see where we will be traveling and if you are interested in having a community history event at your local library!
Angela Bowie, the Empress of London’s Glam Rock scene in the 1970s, is a writer, rocker, poet, animal-welfare advocate, fashion icon and LGBTQ activist.
She was formerly married to rock legend David Bowie and recounts their colorful and volatile life together in her memoir, Backstage Passes: Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie, a chronicle of the Golden Age of rock ’n’ roll and what it was like spending time with stars such as Mick Jagger, Elton John, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Robert Plant and Keith Moon.
Angela is joining us at the Central Library on Saturday, June 20, to discuss her life and her career. We’re very pleased that she answered a few questions for us before her visit!
Can you tell us about your new book of poetry Fancy Footwork? What does poetry mean to you?
Poetry, for me, tells the story of how we dance and spin, sometimes smooth and fluid like water and sometimes taut and on guard like a tightrope walker. We stretch our legs and learn to sprint. We unfold our wings and take to the skies. Imaginations soar above the trees and into the clouds, and as the air becomes thin, we revert to energy. We are no longer physical entities, no breath, no biology… just Light. We swoop through space. We dance amongst the stars, batting at stardust to jostle a response from our ancestors. This book is about our time on Earth.
You were educated in Cyprus, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and attended Connecticut College. Did your education prepare you at all to be a part of the Glam Rock revolution, or for your unique career?
Yes. I think going to school and college abroad and living away from the big cities gave me an inclusive appreciation of what glamour could be. It became obvious that glamour is in your mind and character and you can be anywhere in the world and fulfill it; fulfill the desire to dress and look appealing. Well-dressed men must accompany glamorous women, so I worked hard at making sure the apparel of the men around me was exciting as well.
June is LGBTQ Pride Month in many countries around the world. You and your former husband were two of the first "out" public figures in the entertainment industry. Can you talk a little about that experience?
It was necessary to take a stand about bisexuality and homosexuality being perfectly acceptable. At that time, there was much discrimination and it was personal for David and me, as we had both had relationships with folks of the same sex.
One of your close friends, Leee Black Childers, sadly passed away last year. Leee was a legendary rock photographer and part of the art scene at Andy Warhol's Factory in Manhattan. Can you share some of your memories of Leee with us?
Leee contributed a great deal to the New York art scene and then to the promotion of David and myself. His association with Hit Parader, Rock Scene and other teen-oriented fan mags meant that his photographs reached a much wider and diverse audience than just concentrating on newspapers, radio and TV.
You owned the television rights to the Marvel Comics characters Black Widow and Daredevil in 1975. You must have had some unique ideas for that show—can you tell us about them? What do you think of Scarlett Johansson's portrayal of Black Widow?
I haven’t seen Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, but I am sure she’s very good; she is such a talented actor! Benny Carruthers (who was in John Cassavetes’ movie Shadows) was a great New York talent, actor and writer who was set to play Daredevil. We did a photo shoot with Terry O’Neill, but we couldn’t get funding. At that time, without computer animation, any type of special effects red-flagged projects and inflated their budgets.
It seems you have always been a renegade and champion for social and cultural change. What changes would you like to see happen in the coming decade?
I would like to see a greater interest in guarding the planet, gun control in the USA, an acute interest in improving education and the adoption of the idea that our taxes should completely fund education, up to and including university. The health care system should be available to everyone and should be free as part of what taxpayers deserve. I could go on, but that’s the subject of one of my next books, called POP.POLITIC. So those are just some of the ideas I will be addressing in that tome!
Looking for new music? Look no further than your local Queens Library! Every month, our expert staff will bring you the best of what's new in our collection.
Check out these music recommendations for May!
Reba McEntire, Love Somebody
Reba hasn’t had a new record in 5 years but Love Somebody sounds like she never stopped. This is her 27th studio album and the country/pop hits just keep on coming. It's also the first album on her newly formed Nash Icon record label, indicating that she has taken her personal theme of female empowerment and run with it. Watch the video for the lead track "Going Out Like That."
Darius Rucker, Southern Style
Darius Rucker has had a long, strange musical journey. He came to fame with the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, and then released a solo R&B album — and now he’s gone country. Southern Style is, in fact, his 4th country album, so perhaps he has finally found his groove in that genre. He has certainly impressed the Grand Ole Opry, who invited him to join their organization in 2012. Watch him perform an acoustic version of the title track.
David Phelps, Freedom
David Phelps is a classically trained tenor with a three-octave range that can raise a roof as well as your spirits. Though the lyrics are definitely in the gospel realm, the styles of songs on Freedom range from rock to soul and even operatic aria. There are gospel favorites and new songs addressing themes of faith, hope, doubt and freedom (of course). You can preview the album here.
Maná, Cama Incendiada
Mexican pop-rock band Maná sell out shows around the world. Their global rhythms, upbeat tempos and sultry lyrics have hit a popular nerve even for the fans who don’t understand Spanish. Their latest album Cama Incendiada ("The Burning Bed") is a bit of a throwback to Maná’s early days, when their sound was a bit rougher and the songs not as sweet as some of their more recent releases. Shakira also makes a guest appearance on the song “Mi Verdad.” Check out the album's title track here.
Belle and Sebastian, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
Belle and Sebastian are a 6-piece indie rock group from Glasgow, Scotland. They are critical darlings of the music press but have had limited commercial success. Their music is often used in movies and TV so you’ve probably heard them even if you’ve never heard of them. Their sound has been described as “wistful pop,” but their latest album might change that perception. As the title suggests, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance is more club friendly, focusing more on beat and rhythm than tone. Check out the choreographed video for the first single “The Party Line.”
Matana Roberts, Coin Coin Chapter Three: River Run Thee
Mantana Roberts’ “Coin Coin” project is slated to be a 12-part series of soundscapes around the theme of African-American history. If that sounds a bit ambitious, it certainly is. The latest installment could be subtitled “The South,” since that is the mental image it inspires. Part field recordings, part spoken word and part jazz experimentalism, the album works on both intellectual and emotional levels you can’t expect or explain. If possible, listen to it with headphones. Try the opening track “All is Written.”
Björk, Vulnicura
Björk is everywhere, especially if you’re in New York. The Icelandic singer, formerly of the Sugarcubes, has a career retrospective currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). It features her music, her fashion statements, her art and an incredible 3-D immersive experience that has charmed even her critics. She also has a new book, Björk: Archives, and a new album, Vulnicura, for which she did a mini-tour in various venues in New York City. Whether or not you get to MoMA for the whole experience, you can at least check out the album on Freegal.
Ludacris, Ludaversal
If you only know Ludacris as an actor in the Fast and Furious movies, you are missing out on his significant rapping career. As the first break-out star of the Dirty South movement, Ludacris caught the world’s attention with his fast and funny flow. He won a Grammy and several other awards before starting an acting career as well. It has been five years in the making, but his 9th album Ludaversal harkens back to his signature sound, but it's a little more moody and less witty. Check him out live on Ellen performing the first single "Good Lovin."
Big Sean, Dark Sky Paradise
Big Sean is from Detroit, where the competition in rap circles gets pretty fierce. He was good enough to keep getting invited back to weekly rap battles on a local hip hop radio station. It was there that Kanye West heard him and signed him in 2007. He then moved up the ladder and had moderate success with his first two releases, but it wasn’t until Dark Sky Paradise that he got his first number one album. Check out the single “Paradise."
AWOLNATION, Run
Although AWOLNATION is an electronic band, it is really Aaron Bruno’s project. He has been a part of several other bands but has found his niche in the dark, atmospheric soundscape of AN. They had a hit on their last album Megalithic Symphony with the ADD anthem “Sail” and hope to strike gold again with their new album. This isn’t exactly club music, more like a soundtrack for your subway ride. Check out the whole album on Freegal.
Adrienne Onofri is a freelance writer and editor, specializing in travel and culture. She is also a licensed NYC sightseeing guide and the author of two books, Walking Brooklyn: 30 Tours Exploring Historical Legacies, Neighborhood Culture, Side Streets, and Waterways and Walking Queens: 30 Tours for Discovering the Diverse Communities, Historic Places, and Natural Treasures of New York City's Largest Borough.
Adrienne will be joining us to talk about Walking Queens on April 21 (at Queens Library at Woodside), April 30 (at Queens Library at Ridgewood), and May 28 (at Queens Library at Briarwood). We were happy to speak with her about her book and Queens' hidden treasures.
You've lived in Queens for more than 25 years. What role has Queens Library played in your life?
Libraries everywhere have played a big role in my life. I love them — they're truly democratic institutions. The first time I was ever in print was a "human interest" photo in the local newspaper of me and my sister looking at books in the library when I was about two. And my very first job, when I was 14, was at a library in Rockland County, where I grew up. I've made ample use of the community libraries in Queens — for borrowing books, videos and periodicals, of course, but also attending musical performances and other special events. I did some research for my book at Queens Library, and I include libraries as points of interest on the walks — whether it's for their historical significance, like the Astoria and Woodhaven branches, which were originally Carnegie libraries; or for their noteworthy collections, like at Central Library and Langston Hughes in Corona; or for their art or architectural detail, like the Richmond Hill branch and its WPA mural. Or a combination of those things — the Poppenhusen branch, which is on the College Point walk, both has an interesting history and is architecturally distinctive. I'm thrilled that my neighborhood will soon have the most state-of-the-art library in the city. I live in Elmhurst, where a new four-story library is being built with amenities like a glass-walled atrium and gardens and a computer center and children's rooms. I happen to live equal distance to the Jackson Heights library, so I really have two local branches.
When you were doing research for your book, were there any hidden gems in Queens that still surprised you?
So many places in Queens, even its important historic sites and large parks, could be considered hidden gems just because they haven't been visited by a lot of New Yorkers, let alone tourists. But I'll focus on the ponds and lakes of Queens as one answer to your question. Walking around them can feel like a real nature getaway even though you're not far from busy city streets, and it would probably surprise a lot of people just how many there are. You can find them in both Kissena Park and Bowne Park in Flushing. There's also Strack Pond in Forest Park, as well as Golden Pond in Crocheron Park in Bayside, Oakland Lake and Windmill Pond within Alley Pond Park, Baisley Pond in Jamaica and Aurora Pond in Little Neck. Most of these bodies of water originated as glacial formations, and you might see turtles, frogs and all kinds of birds (including heron and egrets) in them. Flushing Meadows also has two lakes, which many people miss who just come to the park for sports or to see the World's Fair structures. You can go past the Unisphere and walk across a bridge over the highway to reach Meadow Lake; there are separate entrances for Willow Lake, which is basically within a nature preserve.
Lonely Planet has named Queens the number one travel destination in the U.S. What do you think of all the attention our borough is getting?
Well, it's good for my book sales! And it's satisfying, as both a proponent of Queens exploration and a resident of the borough, to hear people amend their prejudices and (inaccurate) preconceptions about Queens. The way things go in New York, this surge in popularity does raise concerns about it getting overexposed, overpriced or insufferably trendy. But there are a lot of interesting, historic and scenic places in Queens — and it can't be beat for dining and cultural immersion — so for now we say, "Welcome, tourists and Manhattanites/Brooklynites!"
What’s the most recent book you’ve read? Who are some of your favorite writers?
In conjunction with writing my book about Queens, I've been reading other books set in Queens — among them the novels Dissident Gardens; Dogfight, A Love Story; and Good Neighbors; and Ha Jin's short-story collection A Good Fall. I've started but haven't yet gotten through We Are Not Ourselves. I also read a book of essays, poems and stories called Forgotten Borough and the memoir Cartwheels in a Sari, written by someone who grew up as a disciple of Sri Chinmoy (based in Queens). And I re-read The Great Gatsby.
Your previous book was Walking Brooklyn. Be honest — which borough is better? (At least when it comes to walking tours!)
I'm opposed to New York City provincialism and wish everybody would willingly go to boroughs other than the one they live in. That said, I am loyal to my home, Queens. I wouldn't necessarily tell people it's "better" than Brooklyn — that's a matter of personal taste — but it's just as worthy. You do have to work a little harder for it — that is, perhaps take a bus to a neighborhood (a number of them in Queens are not on a subway line), so doesn't that make it more desirable? And Queens will probably exceed your expectations to a greater degree. But in both books, I aimed to present all different aspects of life in each borough and sights notable for many different reasons — be it history, nature, architecture, pop culture, news headlines, ethnic heritage, etc. — and that variety makes both places excellent for walking tours.