The Brooklyns

Artist Information

Biography

“The Brooklyns may be named after a beer, which in turn is named after a borough….But they are more like a state of mind!” – The Noise Music New England

The Brooklyns, a 5-piece rock band based in Boston, MA, have just released their second CD “Swords and Lies.” With the strong influences of classic rock mixed with sounds of country rock running through the grooves, this 10 song collection proves that passion, attitude, and solid songwriting make a great album. From the good time feel of “Hand Me Downs,” to the grit of “Stay Alive,” to the harmony-soaked title track “Swords and Lies,” the band delivers top-notch songwriting and performance from beginning to end.

Founding members and songwriting team, Maureen “Mo” Kavanaugh and Tom Leger (Sweet Cheater, Black Number Nine, The Fighting Cocks) originally formed The Brooklyns in 2005 as a singer/songwriter combo playing and writing “songs about life” with a passion and fire not often heard from an acoustic duo. Wanting to realize their sound as a full band, they recorded their debut CD “The Brooklyns” in 2008, with the single “Richer” now garnering airplay on both commercial and local radio in MA & NH.

In 2009, Jeff Murray (bass), Sean Murray (guitar), both cousins and formerly of Jake and The Jakes, and Rob “Reebo” Tibbs (drums), formerly of Bishop Strike, joined the band, and The Brooklyns “family” was complete. Adding their musical talents to the songwriting team of Kavanaugh/Leger, the band has achieved a sound, paramount in each of their original songs, while paying homage to their love for classic rock, with influences ranging from The Rolling Stones, to Patti Smith, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Tom Petty, to name a few. “It’s like putting on a new pair of jeans and they fit like you’ve been wearing them forever,” says Mo. “It’s only natural for Tom & me to write this way…”

Their new CD, “Swords And Lies,” (2012) is now available on iTunes worldwide, as well as Zune, EMusic, Spotify, Amazon mp3, Google Play, and Rhapsody. The band loves playing live, engaging audiences in numerous venues throughout the New England area. They always dig hanging out with their favorite DJs on the radio, and are now also spending time in the studio writing songs for their 3rd CD.

For Booking & more information, contact thebrooklynshome@yahoo.com or call 617-504-1885

Instrumentation

Maureen Kavanaugh - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Tom Leger - Vocals, Electric Guitar
Jeff Murray - Bass
Sean Murray - guitars
Reebo Tibbs - Drums

Discography

"The Brooklyns" 2008
"Swords And Lies" 2012
Both available on iTunes, Amamzon, Emusic, Zune, Rhapsody, etc
For Booking & More Info, email thebrooklynshome@yahoo.com, or call us at 617-504-1885

Official Website

http://www.reverbnation.com/thebrooklyns

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• 01 Swords And Lies 1
  Listen  
• 02 Hand Me Downs 1
  Listen  
• 03 Judgement Day 1
  Listen  
• 04 Walks Of Life 1
  Listen  
• 05 I'm Not Gonna Change 1
  Listen  
• 08 Stay Alive 1
  Listen  
• 06 Shine 1
  Listen  
• 07 If Anyone Told Me 1
  Listen  
• Richer
  Listen  
• Old Inside This Room
  Listen  

Lyrics

• I'm Not Gonna Change
• Richer
• Old Inside This Room
• Stay Alive
• These Four Walls

Video

Im Gone- Sympathy 10-6-12.mp4

Roll It 10-6-12.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• The Brooklyns (Review by Oliver Arditi, Music Reviewer / October 3, 2011) [+ Show ]
  

  "Intense and raw roots rock, played with conviction and soul. Infectious swinging/ shuffle grooves,..."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."

• The Brooklyns (THE NOISE June/July 2011 / Interview by A.J. Wachtel) [+ Show ]
  

  "The Brooklyns may be named after an alcoholic beverage, which in turn is named after a borough in t..."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 New England Americana Festival 2010 (Review by Max Bowen, 2/26/10 Show) [+ Show ]
  

  "...Next up are The Brooklyns, a southern rock/country foursome, and they set the bar high for the r..."...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)

• Getting acquainted with The Brooklyns (Interview by Doreen Manning) [+ Show ]
  

  Getting acquainted with The Brooklyns Doreen Manning A Boston band with down-home songwriting ...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.
  
  

Setlist

Our set list consists of all-original tunes written by Maureen Kavanaugh; Tom Leger; and some written as a team together. Our sets are usually 45 minutes; at some venues, we play longer sets (approx 2 + hours).

Basic Requirements

Calendar