Lyle Divinsky at Razor's Barbershop and Shave Co., 10/6/23

I needed a haircut a few weeks ago. The act of getting a haircut is merely transactional for some: I walk in, you do me a service, I pay for it, I leave. Simple and quick. My lifelong stop for a great haircut, Razors Barbershop and Shave Co., has reimagined the modern interpretation of barbering with an homage to the traditional old-world Italian barbiere. Adorned with Neapolitan signage, posters of Vespas, and a coffee bar, my barbershop’s focal point lies in the community. The last time I needed a cut, I walked in, took a seat, grabbed a coffee, and waited for my barber, Drew, to finish tending to his current client. A poster I had not seen before caught my eye: “Fresh Cuts Concert Presents: A Live Performance by Lyle Divinsky.” I knew that the owners of the shop, Anthony and Joey, were advocates for live music (look to the custom guitars hung on the wall), but I had never attended these “Fresh Cuts Concerts,” or even heard of them. After some deliberation with the owner, I found myself in the barbershop a week later with a camera in hand.

Lyle Divinsky is an R&B singer and songwriter hailing from Maine. After busking in New York City subways for years, he began putting out soulful music for all (not just commuters) to hear. His newest project, Seasons, is a four-chapter album that gives the listener time to muse on life’s struggles as well as the opportunity to get up and dance. Before he stepped onstage to perform, I managed to speak to him one-on-one. He and I talked about our shared interest in English (we are both English majors, but he also pursued music). “If nothing else,” he explained, “at least I know how to speak, read, and write well.” His background in literature shows in his songwriting abilities, seeing as he was one of the most impressive songwriters I’ve had the pleasure of photographing.

Divinsky’s stage presence was light-hearted and goofy, yet you could tell he was serious about his craft. His seemingly never-ending range of vocals featured a falsetto that rivals that of soul legends like Al Green or Prince (it’s worth mentioning that he brought the house down with a Prince cover, too!). Straying away from the soulful R&B area that he is so well-acquainted with, he performed songs like “I Will Wait” and “Falling By The Wayside,” where he tapped into a somber side or, as he describes it, his “in my feelings” era of music. While playing songs, he cracked jokes and reminded the audience how thankful he was to get there. Throughout the show, he told us, “I feel safe with all of y’all, and I hope y’all feel safe with me.” Familial energy filled the atmosphere, rendering the performance closer to an NPR Tiny Desk: such a simple and small venue with a group of people hanging off his every word.

“Let’s turn this into a family endeavor,” Divinsky said as he coaxed his dad onto the stage. Divinsky claimed that his dad had “the best voice,” and he convinced the audience of this too. Performing duets of Divinsky staples, his dad, Phil, brought the older, rugged vocals that perfectly complimented his son’s voice. They performed the song “Rich” together, which had become a mantra for the family. When he was younger, Lyle wrote a tune for each family member as a Christmas gift. The song “Rich” is dedicated to his sister and describes how, if nothing else, they are rich because they have each other. However, the highlight of the night was the complete antithesis of this wholesome familial moment. Divinsky and his father performed a cover of “Regulate,” with Lyle assuming Warren G’s sections and Phil doing his best Nate Dogg impression. The happiness that this moment brought each of them was palpable. After shifting into Michael McDonald’s “I Keep Forgettin’,” nobody could stop themselves from letting out an affirmative and excited “Whoop!” 

Divinsky, while being a great singer, is also a natural-born entertainer. He kept the small yet excitable crowd interested and on our toes the whole time. At the beginning of Lyle’s set, the owner, Anthony, had come onstage to introduce the artist. One thing he said stuck with me: “I hope you all can leave tonight and go, ‘Damn, I can’t believe I heard that in a barbershop!’” I don’t think anybody knew what they were in store for that night when they entered Razors. Transforming from a barbershop by day into an intimate music venue at night, Lyle Divinsky emphasized the mission of Razors: Divinsky turned a crowd of people from strangers into a family. With a set that emphasized community, togetherness, and good tunes, Divinsky was a perfect addition to the Fresh Cuts Concerts series.