The Brooklyns

"The Brooklyns may be named after an alcoholic beverage, which in turn is named after a borough in the evil empire; but they are more like a 'State of Mind'. Their mix of rock 'n roll, good songs and passion....their powerful playing and attitude is a reason to become a fan." (from the Interview by A.J. Wachtel) - THE NOISE

Getting acquainted with The Brooklyns

Doreen Manning

A Boston band with down-home songwriting and a rock-infused country feel is coming to Tammany Hall on Jan. 9. Why should you care? If you’re a fan of honest songs, pickin’ guitar, throaty vocals and smart collaboration, then The Brooklyns are your sweet water to drink.

Founding members Maureen Kavanaugh (singer, songwriter, rhythm guitar) and Tom Leger (singer, songwriter, lead guitar) have been playing together since March 2005 and married in the fall of ’08.

When they met, Leger was a drummer and Kavanaugh a singer/songwriter, each with distinct music careers. “I was also writing my own songs with my guitar through the years, and when I met Maureen, well, she made it plain how much she appreciated them,” Leger says. After hearing his work in progress, Kavanaugh suggested they “marry” their songs. “You know, he sings one, (she) sings one, and together, we could be a band,” Leger says. “We laugh about it now, but she had plans for us I never even knew.”

The Brooklyns have been evolving their sound and band roster as they grow, only departing from a duo format a little over a year ago when they invited friends to join them in the studio while recording their first album (the self-titled, The Brooklyns). “I loved how the songs were developing as a full-band sound, and we knew we wanted to get that full-band sound out on stage,” shares Kavanaugh. Soon, The Brooklyns’ lineup would include Mike Rubin on bass and Garth Tichy on drums.

With a sound that runs contradictory to today’s pop bands, The Brooklyns admit to always playing true to their musical souls. “We’ve always done what we want to — each separately and as songwriters — and now as a band. It just works,” Kavanaugh says.

“My songwriting has developed from folky-country rock tunes to songs with a rockier edge,” she explains, when discussing her musical progression since forming The Brooklyns. Kavanaugh is the first to admit that her songwriting has not only found a stronger edge, but also has taken a more front-and-center approach than she had originally planned. “My earliest intention was not to be a singer-songwriter in a band, but to write songs for other bands,” she says. “Tom just talked me into it.”

Leger and Kavanaugh each approach songwriting in distinct ways. For Kavanaugh, whose mother is a poet in Boston, the words come first. “I have never written anything intentionally to become a song, only a poem or a story that might find music,” she says. Leger’s songs seem to pour out spontaneously. “He sits in the studio and let’s it happen,” Kavanaugh says. “I don’t know how he does it. Maybe that’s why I fell in love with him.”

For 2010, The Brooklyns plan on finishing their follow-up album, playing more live performances, and pushing for radio air play, but most of all, they just want to have a little fun. “We may take our music seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously,” says Kavanaugh. “If you can’t have fun doing something you love, why do it?”

Stop by Tammany Hall and have a little fun with The Brooklyns on Jan. 9, 7 p.m., along with Crail, Switchblade Suicide and Hour Alchemy. Learn more at myspace.com/thebrooklynsband.

- Worcester Magazine 1/07/09

Getting acquainted with The Brooklyns

Doreen Manning

A Boston band with down-home songwriting and a rock-infused country feel is coming to Tammany Hall on Jan. 9. Why should you care? If you’re a fan of honest songs, pickin’ guitar, throaty vocals and smart collaboration, then The Brooklyns are your sweet water to drink.

Founding members Maureen Kavanaugh (singer, songwriter, rhythm guitar) and Tom Leger (singer, songwriter, lead guitar) have been playing together since March 2005 and married in the fall of ’08.

When they met, Leger was a drummer and Kavanaugh a singer/songwriter, each with distinct music careers. “I was also writing my own songs with my guitar through the years, and when I met Maureen, well, she made it plain how much she appreciated them,” Leger says. After hearing his work in progress, Kavanaugh suggested they “marry” their songs. “You know, he sings one, (she) sings one, and together, we could be a band,” Leger says. “We laugh about it now, but she had plans for us I never even knew.”

The Brooklyns have been evolving their sound and band roster as they grow, only departing from a duo format a little over a year ago when they invited friends to join them in the studio while recording their first album (the self-titled, The Brooklyns). “I loved how the songs were developing as a full-band sound, and we knew we wanted to get that full-band sound out on stage,” shares Kavanaugh. Soon, The Brooklyns’ lineup would include Mike Rubin on bass and Garth Tichy on drums.

With a sound that runs contradictory to today’s pop bands, The Brooklyns admit to always playing true to their musical souls. “We’ve always done what we want to — each separately and as songwriters — and now as a band. It just works,” Kavanaugh says.

“My songwriting has developed from folky-country rock tunes to songs with a rockier edge,” she explains, when discussing her musical progression since forming The Brooklyns. Kavanaugh is the first to admit that her songwriting has not only found a stronger edge, but also has taken a more front-and-center approach than she had originally planned. “My earliest intention was not to be a singer-songwriter in a band, but to write songs for other bands,” she says. “Tom just talked me into it.”

Leger and Kavanaugh each approach songwriting in distinct ways. For Kavanaugh, whose mother is a poet in Boston, the words come first. “I have never written anything intentionally to become a song, only a poem or a story that might find music,” she says. Leger’s songs seem to pour out spontaneously. “He sits in the studio and let’s it happen,” Kavanaugh says. “I don’t know how he does it. Maybe that’s why I fell in love with him.”

For 2010, The Brooklyns plan on finishing their follow-up album, playing more live performances, and pushing for radio air play, but most of all, they just want to have a little fun. “We may take our music seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously,” says Kavanaugh. “If you can’t have fun doing something you love, why do it?”

Stop by Tammany Hall and have a little fun with The Brooklyns on Jan. 9, 7 p.m., along with Crail, Switchblade Suicide and Hour Alchemy. Learn more at myspace.com/thebrooklynsband.

- Worcester Magazine 1/07/09

"Intense and raw roots rock, played with conviction and soul. Infectious swinging/ shuffle grooves, great melodies, old school tones and a late 60's vibe that says it's party time. This band will keep you coming back for more." - www.liveunsigned.com

"...Next up are The Brooklyns, a southern rock/country foursome, and they set the bar high for the rest of the night. Lead singer Maureen Kavanaugh's is the voice of a seasoned traveler, someone who's been on many a stage, while Tom Leger, fellow vocalist and guitarist, captures the audience through his instrument, even using a beer bottle at one point. (Guess his pick went missing.) The music hits all the emotional chords, at times making me want to move my feet, and at others making me think of the one that got away." (Max Bowen, THE NOISE) - THE NOISE

"...Next up are The Brooklyns, a southern rock/country foursome, and they set the bar high for the rest of the night. Lead singer Maureen Kavanaugh's is the voice of a seasoned traveler, someone who's been on many a stage, while Tom Leger, fellow vocalist and guitarist, captures the audience through his instrument, even using a beer bottle at one point. (Guess his pick went missing.) The music hits all the emotional chords, at times making me want to move my feet, and at others making me think of the one that got away." (Max Bowen, THE NOISE) - THE NOISE