By juliette Phillips | August 8, 2025
Singer-songwriter David Franklin Courtright marked the release of his debut album Brutal Tenderness with an intimate performance in The Back Room at Union Pool in Brooklyn. Known for its vintage theater aesthetic, dark ambient lighting, and full-service live music capabilities, The Back Room provided a fitting backdrop for a night centered on memory, artistry, and close community. Doors opened at 7 p.m., with guests greeted by a merch display of white roses, T-shirts, and vinyl copies of the new record. Before taking the stage, Courtright was seen speaking with his mother about her introduction for him, sipping a tequila soda to steady pre-show nerves—a moment he later recounted on stage with a smile.
The evening began at 8 p.m. with a set by Rivkah Reyes, whose blend of incisive humor and candid songwriting—covering subjects such as cigarettes and addiction—immediately engaged the crowd. By the time Courtright stepped under the theater lights at 9 p.m., dressed in an all-white suit, the audience of approximately 40 friends, family, and supporters welcomed him with enthusiastic applause. Between songs, he reflected on the eight-year, three-continent journey that shaped Brutal Tenderness, and paused to dedicate the performance to his late grandfather, who passed away in December.
For the next hour, The Back Room was filled with the album’s dynamic range—from soaring, emotional peaks to moments of quiet reflection—mirroring the themes of love, loss, and resilience that define the record. Following the final song, Courtright descended from the stage to personally thank attendees, exchange hugs, and pose for photographs. It was a release event that felt less like a public spectacle and more like a gathering of a creative family—made all the more resonant by the warm, vintage intimacy of the venue.
Juliette Phillips is a freelance photojournalist for Majestic Music Magazine. See more of her work here.
