Noam Weinstein | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Noam Isaac Weinstein |
Born | Cambridge, Massachusetts | May 7, 1977
Origin | New York, New York |
Genres | Pop Rock, Folk Pop Indie Pop, Americana |
Occupation(s) | songwriter, performer, guitarist |
Instrument(s) | voice, guitar, piano |
Years active | 2001- |
Labels | No Songs, Skycap Records |
Website | www |
Noam Weinstein (no-ahm wyne-styne) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known for his studio recordings and his collaborations with other artists such as Mike Viola, Heather Masse, Sam Sadigursky, and Norah Jones.[1][2][3]
Noam Weinstein grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts[3][4] and began playing guitar as a child and performing at local clubs during high school.[5][6] In 1999 he moved to New York City and joined the Greenwich Village songwriting community led by Jack Hardy.[7] From 2001-2014 he released seven albums[8] (six studio projects and one recorded live at The Living Room[9]); an eighth, the compilation Sixteen Skies, was distributed in Europe.[10]
Weinstein's 2022 release, Undivorceable, is a suite of new songs about "the bonds that can't be broken, whether between a husband and his former wife (Imperfectly Still), a father and his children (The Kind of Love) or a citizen and his skin color (Jackpot)."[11] The Daily Vault called it "a captivating listen, both devastatingly honest and immensely tuneful."[12] It was produced by Mike Viola, recorded by Pierre de Reeder, mastered by Eric Boulanger, and performed with a band including drummer Abe Rounds, bassist Jonny Flaugher, and keyboard player Lee Pardini. Some of the songs also feature a string section arranged by Trey Pollard. (Weinstein sings and plays piano.)[11]
His previous project, 2020's 42 1/2, was "inspired by that magical time when both the wild innocence of a 42-year-old and the sober wisdom of a 43-year-old are just out of reach."[13] Rolling Stone Germany described it as "folk-pop masterpieces".[14] Prior to that, 2016's On Waves celebrated "cycles, storms, mystery channels, and the beats beyond."[15] The Daily Vault said it was "heart-wrenching," "dazzling with its musical audacity," and "genuinely moving,"[16] while Popdose wrote that it was "terrific",[17] and No Depression called it "catchy", "heartfelt", "hilarious" and "beautiful".
Although lesser known than many of his collaborators,[18] Weinstein has received critical acclaim in publications like Performing Songwriter,[19] The New Yorker,[20] and The Boston Globe,[3] and airplay on prominent independent radio stations such as WFUV, WXPN, and WERS.[21] His song "Fragile" was recorded by Norah Jones and included on the reissue of her debut album, Come Away With Me,[22] while "I Can Hurt People" was featured on the Showtime series Weeds,[23] and several others have been recorded by indie artists such as Mieka Pauley, Greta Gertler, Mark Whitaker, Jess Tardy, and Lin McEwan. Noam is also a three-time finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition.[24]