Bastards of Fine Arts
11th St Bar510 E 11th St, New York 10009
Bastards of Fine Arts bring a four-piece lineup to 11th St Bar, led by veteran singer-songwriters Matt Keating and Steve Mayone, with Jason Mercer on bass and Greg Wieczorek on drums. The group’s set draws from a growing catalogue that includes songs first introduced through its New Song Forward Friday series, alongside material from its newly released debut album. Expect the collaborative shape of a songwriter band rather than a solo showcase: Keating and Mayone’s songs delivered with a full rhythm section in the East Village bar’s basement room.
Formed in 2015 by Keating and Mayone, Bastards of Fine Arts is a supergroup of sorts built around two established songwriters. The band has steadily amassed material through its recurring New Song Forward Friday series, using it to debut new work. Its sound has been likened to Nashville Skyline-era Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Wilco and the Jayhawks, with the common thread being melodic, upbeat songwriting. Those reference points suggest a set rooted in songcraft and band interplay, with the new debut album marking a fresh chapter for the quartet.
A basement club in the East Village, 11th St Bar is a steady fixture for live music, hosting regular house band sets and long-running residencies. The room is a modest space where the audience sits on wooden benches, close enough to hear every note from the front row. Shows typically run from 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM, with multiple sets and a relaxed, conversational atmosphere. The bar is present, offering drinks to accompany the music, and the evening is a night out where people listen, talk, and share in the energy of the performers. It's a place where local musicians play with authenticity and warmth, and the audience is there to experience the music, not just watch it.