DISCOVER | Curtis J

THE SINGLES | 2018-23 is the collection of studio recordings and bonus tracks from Brooklyn-based musician Curtis J. From his initial 2018 release to the most recent offerings in 2023, this compilation traces his musical evolution via his seven studio singles, an extended cut of "French Fries w/ Pepper," as well as his live recording of "Moonlight Mouth" (exclusively on his Bandcamp page).

Listen to the collection today!

MUSIC

"Expectations," Curtis J's debut vinyl, was released in 2018 and included the singles "Alone & Mistaken" and "Reverb." PopMatters says..."The record feels like the amorous blues that Curtis J has had culminating within him from the first moment he hit the stage. Curtis J's newest release may set him on the map, but Curtis J isn't one to forget where he comes from."

SOCIAL

We lost our dearest friend and one of the greatest St. Louis keyboardist of the 21st century in 2018. Nathan Jatcko was a big ball of loving attention, goofiness, and joy. He was so f’n good at the piano that I still shake my head in disbelief that I got lucky enough to play with him for 14 years. He released an unforgettable jazz album just months before his passing that so greatly deserves to be heard by all. Check it out at nathanjatckomusic.bandcamp.com/album/catch or on the streaming platform that you prefer [ Nathan Jatcko - Catch ]. The 3rd slide is a video I found this year of he and I in a broadway show tunes piano karaoke bar in St Louis, likely 2015. It melts my heart (and probably your ears with how out of tune I am haha). Tell your people that you love them.

Our man, Nathan Jatcko, was so supportive and never hesitated to show his appreciation. That’s why I choose to take this day every year and let you, the people who check-in and the people who show up, that I appreciate YOU. The next set of photos after the 1st photo are of Nathan for a big day from my life where he was the first one to arrive to ask how he could help and was the light of the evening, playing piano like no one in my life could. All in the name of support. He was amazing. Tell your people that you love them.

Today is the day. I send all of the love I can to anyone that knew him. #nathanjatcko

My biggest shoutout goes to these gents ( and Dad! ) for what we were able to accomplish and what we in Kentucky Knife Fight brought to the world. It meant a lot to share my younger days with this crew and I want to thank them for the blurry memories. I’ll be posting stories all night (I’ll be saving to photos that would keep us from holding public office for another day). Thank you to @holler_____ , @nate_jones_design , @the_real_kj_baker , Jason Koenig, @christopher_t_watkins , and our dear #nathanjatcko . @kentuckyknifefight | 📸 by @coreywoodruff // Kentucky Knife Fight's music evokes images of smoky bars where wood paneling lines the walls, worlds covered in shadow and stained with liquor. The St. Louis six piece punk-blues wrecking crew create songs about desperate people doing desperate things in places they shouldn’t be. If there is a jukebox at the end of the universe you will find Kentucky Knife Fight between The Stooges and Tom Waits.

If you hadn’t heard the band, find our music at KentuckyKnifeFight.bandcamp.com // After nearly a decade of blending folk, Americana, blues, rock, garage and a smorgasbord of other musical genres, St. Louis' own Kentucky Knife Fight played its final show November 22, 2014, at Off Broadway. The farewell show came on the heels of the band's latest album Hush Hush. Kentucky Knife Fight's music evokes images of smoky bars where wood paneling lines the walls, worlds covered in shadow and stained with liquor. The St. Louis six piece punk-blues wrecking crew create songs about desperate people doing desperate things in places they shouldn’t be. If there is a jukebox at the end of the universe you will find Kentucky Knife Fight between The Stooges and Tom Waits. | 📸 by @coreywoodruff - @kentuckyknifefight

Today marks 10 years since our last Kentucky Knife Fight show. It’s absolutely bonkers to think it’s been so long since so much has changed, but I still think my time with these bandmates were the most formative of my music career. // Kentucky Knife Fight's music evokes images of smoky bars where wood paneling lines the walls, worlds covered in shadow and stained with liquor. The St. Louis six piece punk-blues wrecking crew create songs about desperate people doing desperate things in places they shouldn’t be. If there is a jukebox at the end of the universe you will find Kentucky Knife Fight between The Stooges and Tom Waits. | 📸
@coreywoodruff - @kentuckyknifefight 2014

September will be what it always is: a beautiful month that brings out the music in me. I’ll see you soon | 📸 by @alexskbrown

Many know what storms I weathered and the challenges ahead, but who knows what will happen but those who put in the work | 📸 by @alexskbrown

I woke up with the urge to get back to the notebook, back to the studio, and back to your headphones | 📸 by @alexskbrown

What are the next steps in my journey, making this young musician’s plan move forward? As Bowie said, “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” | 📸 by Ian Privette

I’m proud of that young Musician, trying things without knowing how they would work out, trying his hand in his first rounds of collaboration on original music. I was growing every day then, and I know that he would be proud that I continue to grow to this day. | 📸 by Ian Privette

Found my old hard drive, which means I found a time capsule of me as a young musician: bright-eyed, ambitious, and hopeful. | 📸 by Ian Privette

Ali • Curtis j Brewer • Adam Armstrong || Velvet (serenade) - the music of Lou Reed. @pangeanyc // Friday, April 19

Ali • Curtis j Brewer • Adam Armstrong || Velvet (serenade) - the music of Lou Reed. @pangeanyc // Friday, April 19 // @adama1964 + @curtisjsocial + Ali

My community shows up; my New York community plays till there are blisters on their fingers; THIS THREE-PIECE WRECKING CREW is back on the New York stage THIS Saturday for a rock n’ roll matinee. Catch @petecrowny on drums, @stephankondert on bass, and Curtis j on March 2 at @goldsoundsbar // 3:30pm sharp w/ @bruiserqueen & @frankiesunswept

There is a very unique group of people & artists that lived through the same artistic pollination as I did in that great city of St. Louis, and two of those rockers are hitting the stage with me this Saturday at @goldsoundsbar in Brooklyn, NY. @somegirlsghost and @jxsxnpxttxr of @bruiserqueen have been long-time friends and cut their teeth in the same 2010’s South StL music community and I want you to feel what that powerhouse duo can do to you in their live set. Join us at 3:30pm sharp for a matinee hit at Bushwick rock-spot GOLD SOUNDS

Many moons ago, I left St. Louis to New York City to start my solo career post-Yankee Racers & @kentuckyknifefight . It was a leap of over 1000 miles and I did not stick the landing, not at first…but eventually, I sought out like-minded individuals that were just crazy enough to give this rock ‘n roll thing a try. Those efforts have swept us across the world and back, and we bring those tunes with us to our show this Saturday at @goldsoundsbar

Biggest love goes out to our bandmates that makes the engine explode. @stephankondert @petecrowny @jim.piela @bettesmithmusic made every minute on stage euphoric and I KNOW we left a mark on all in attendance. Many thanks to them for their dedication to the music. ALSO a big s / o to all of the artist that made us feel welcomed on this inaugural run ( looking at you @brotherjacobdrums & @anapopovicmusic & @tajmahalblues ! ). We’ll see you on down the line.

Making music is the act of collaboration, at bare minimum, between you and the audience. My week on the @legendarybluescruise was filled with the spirit of sharing musical perspectives and remembering why we make music. S / o to the innumerable new and amazing friends I made while rockin this week, including my Chi-town homey @bqfunk (responsible for most of these photos) and @kingsolomonhicks (who is a matchless NYC performer you MUST check-out asap!) and @thepatharrington , @davidjuliamusic & @mrsipp_tmbc (neither pictured but their presence was always around). These folks eased me into the community and then gave full support and showed the love that we should show to fellow musicians across the board. Thank you all!

Long overdue recap & s / o to an amazing week playing the @legendarybluescruise with guitar heroes of mine ( @callmekingfish @ericgalesband & @toronzocannon to name a few ) and new guitar slingers and singers that kept me lifted all week ( looking at you @kingsolomonhicks @dtwlive and @bqfunk ! ). It was my first time ever on a cruise and at some point, I was just so immersed in music (and shooting hoops lol) that it felt like I was just in a myriad of killer music clubs. Hope for round 2 next year!

Nothing but love today for our guy #nathanjatcko . To show some more love for him, go listen to the enumerable amazing tracks he was on, including his session-leading debut CATCH:⁣
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Nathan Jatcko - Catch⁣
Yankee Racers - Duologue | American Music⁣
Kentucky Knife Fight - Hush Hush | Wolf Crept⁣
Brotherfather - Walk It Off⁣
Naked Rock Fight - Paper Beats Rock | Rock Beats Scissors⁣
Cat Jump - Until The Beat Stops⁣
Sleep Stages (look up on BandCamp)⁣
Liberation Organ Trio (also on bandcamp)⁣
⁣

This is a gem audio recording of #nathanjatcko and I playing 4-hands on a new melody I wrote. Apologies for the over-sentimentality but it’s the power of his playing and our collective unforgettable memories that made him such a force in our lives. Tell your people you appreciate them.

Our main man, #nathanjatcko , was a true light in our lives. I think of him and I now smile, 6 long years after his passing. I smile because I can feel the love & appreciation conquering the sadness that we feel as humans losing those close to us. I’m so grateful for our time we had together, the music shared, and what joy he brought to us all. Here’s a toast to our main man.

First tour of the year is w/ @bettesmithmusic & The Babes for the @legendarybluescruise , playing with the likes of @kennywayneshepherd , @tajmahalblues and @anapopovicmusic (to name a few). I have never played in the Caribbean so this should be a blast! Many more USA shows to be announced throughout the winter. See you at the show! | Bette & The Babes are @stephankondert @petecrowny @jim.piela #hankwestmoreland

S/o to @30thstreetguitars for getting my axes sharpened for all of the various concerts last year. Pictured are a few of my guitars in the arsenal : 1) Grace 2) Blondie 3) Lady Grey 4) Beck

It’s been a wild 2023 that saw my long hair on the barber’s floor, my gear supped up & optimized, and gigs galore with truly inspiring folks (such as @thejellybk , @bettesmithmusic , and @bigwoozyband ). I will be keeping folks up to date on A whole slew of concerts that I would love to share with you all. See you at the show! | 📸 from Telluride Blues Festival (Colorado)

Last night was an incredible last night, tomorrow is a tomorrow to look forward to, with you. Let’s have our kick’s before we lose one more moment.⁣
⁣
-Curtis J-> in Nov⁣
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Nov 4 - @bierhausnyc (NYC) ⁣
Nov 6 - @thejellybk (BK)⁣
Nov 7 - @petescandystore
Nov 9 - Brooklyn Conservatory (BK)⁣
Nov 10 - Holland Center (NE)

New tunes, same hat. Curtis J + @barflykrumm TONITE at @petescandystore | 10pm 709 Lorimer in Brooklyn, NY | 📸 by #michellethomas

I feel like I’ve been on the go for the entire year. Being displaced for a hot minute, playing make-up gigs STILL left from the lockdown, and on the road, having me far away from my Brooklyn home. It is with such pleasure that I’m back, to be here with friends, found family, and to play music for my New York community. Catch me this THIS Thursday at @petescandystore with my long-time musical friend @briankrumm . Join us, my friends. | photo by #michellethomas

St. Louis -> THIS THURSDAY, the first 20 attendees at our @oconnellspubstl show will receive a free 7” vinyl of the Curtis J release “Expectations.” Catch the full band Thursday at Jack’s Joint (above O’Connells Pub 4652 Shaw Ave - St. Louis) featuring New York drummer @petecrowny and StL mainstay Chris Turnbaugh (@lowmuses ). 8pm showtime. Bring your dancing shoes 🕺🏻

THURSDAY// SEPT 28 // Jack’s Joint ( O’Connells Pub ) // St. Louis! // 8pm

Curtis J - Live @thehihatstl // Tuesday, Sept 26 // 8pm

Liftoff 🚀 | see you in September, my friends.

Sept 2-30, I’m way out there! Landing at spots like @thefollytheater , @harvest_music_fest (w/ @bettesmithmusic & @allisonrussellmusic ), @thehihatstl , @oconnellspubstl (aka Jack’s Joint), @johnbrownsonthesquare , @bierhausnyc , @superfinedumbo , and more! So excited to bring my new tunes and incredible band mates. #seeyousoon

Woo hoo! September is show month! I’ll be back in spots like St. Louis, Kansas City, Marion, Fredericton, BK, and more! Come see me in a myriad of constellations ( the @curtisjsocial | @bettesmithmusic | @thedumbogumbo | w/ @petertraunmueller ).

The final hit of this Tour de España is tonite! The people of Spain have been dreamy, lifting us in every city we played. Our band, the Spanish Babes, are the best of the best. We cannot put it in to words enough to show our gratitude, but we can say with our full hearts: muchas gracias. | @bettesmithmusic & The (Spanish) Babes { @aaronpozon @arevalotrumpet @javigeras @carlossosadrum @curtisjsocial }

The Tour de España rolls on, stopping for some rock n’ soul at @lococlubvalencia in Valencia! @bettesmithmusic & the {Spanish} Babes are ready to bring el relámpago y el trueno. See you tonite! w / @aaronpozon @carlossosadrum @javigeras @arevalotrumpet

So incredibly excited to be back in Spain! Our first hit is tomorrow in lovely Palenica, ES at @huertadelasdelicias festival with MANY more dates to follow. Come with us on this journey for the next two weeks as we bring the @bettesmithmusic Sextet to España! Nos vemos pronto 🚀🪂💕 @arevalotrumpet @javigeras @carlossosadrum @aaronpozon

July 7 & July 8 - @bierhausnyc in MidTown Manhattan | 6-10pm | no cover! @petertraunmueller + @scottcolberg

@bierhausnyc hosts the trio TOMORROW as well! | MidTown Manhattan | 6-10pm | no cover! @petertraunmueller + @scottcolberg

The trio returns for our summer shows tonite at @bierhausnyc in MidTown Manhattan | 6-10pm | no cover! @petertraunmueller + @scottcolberg

Je suis désolé que @lorillonbar ferme. L'orillon étiez ma maison à Paris. Je me souviendrai toujours de mes soirées à L'Orillon. J'honorerai L'Orillon ce soir avec un grand verre de vin et en écoutant Ummagumma de Pink Floyd. Merci beaucoup pour tout, vraiment. | Farewell, our sweet @lorillonbar

@lorillonbar hosted Sarah and I on an adventurous tour in 2018 when I was quite in the dumps. Seeing familiar faces in the venue and my friends in Paris ( @fredparis3 I’m looking at you! ) made my heart explode. I’m so sorry to hear that L’Orillon Bar will close today but I am so grateful for a decade of memories there.

My home away from home, the first European venue I ever played, will close its doors tonite for the last time. I want to send so much love to Thomas and the whole crew at @lorillonbar for giving me and the people of Paris such love these last 10 years.

Thank goodness for the good times. So many more to come this summer. Stay tuned! | @hollandbluesfest w/ @bettesmithmusic @michaelsarian @jim.piela @stephankondert @petecrowny

The view from our office last Friday | @hollandbluesfest @stephankondert @petecrowny @jim.piela @michaelsarian @bettesmithmusic @dannyaart @johnfogerty

19 people on the whole planet shared a stage with @johnfogerty last Friday in front of 16,000 music fans at the @hollandbluesfest and I was lucky to be one of them! Big thanks to our management team, booking agent, and band mates for making this the damn good show it was. S/o to @bettesmithmusic @dannyaart @michaelsarian @jim.piela @petecrowny @stephankondert and the folks at the Holland Blues Fest.

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