July 14, 2004

Stew in Concert at MASS MoCA

(North Adams, Mass.) -- There's a tradition in popular music of combining adult themes with sophisticated wordplay and melodies so pretty they're almost incongruous. Cole Porter, Noel Coward, and Randy Newman come to mind. Stew is the newest member of this pantheon, but along with clever lyrics, mellow tunes and a beautiful voice, Stew adds funk and psychedelic music to the mix. PopMatters magazine calls him “the best songwriter in the U.S.” Stew – a powerful performer on the verge of true stardom ­ will appear in concert at MASS MoCA on Saturday, August 14, at 8 P.M. as part of the Alternative Cabaret series.

According to The Village Voice, “his work displays an awe-inspiring command of traditional ‘white’ song styles from powerpop to dreamy Burt Bacharoque to whatever [it is] you call Richard Harris. Whether or not you find this ironic or weird is your business … because black American-ness is just one of the much-sung-about subjects in which he’s able to find fresh beauty. In Stew’s hands, song styles never feel like, y’know, styles: Stew flat-out owns them, not the way one owns an old record but the way one owns one’s dreams.”

Mark Stewart, a.k.a. Stew, grew up in Los Angeles where he played in bands starting in junior high school. He made his first recording with the band The Animated before moving to New York City and joining two bands, one standard R&B/pop and the other a found-object all-percussion group in the tradition of Stomp. Stew then traveled to Europe where he toured the continent performing, spending much time in Berlin. After moving back to L.A. he performed in a number of bands including imPOPisation, Crazy Sound All Stars, and Popular Front before forming his own project, the Negro Problem. Stew released his first solo album, Guest Host, in 2000 to rave reviews.

Tickets for Stew in concert are $13 in advance or $16 the day of the show. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams from 11 A.M. until 5 P.M. (closed Tuesdays). In July and August galleries and box office are open 10 – 6 every day. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line any time at www.massmoca.org. Lickety Split will be open at 7 P.M. for dinner and drinks.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located off Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located off Marshall St. in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org