Erica Eso began as the solo avant pop project of Weston Minissali (Cloud Becomes Your Hand; VaVatican) in 2014 during a 2 year stint living in between the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains in the Hudson Valley, NY. While the songs may appear, at first glance, as basic pop melodies and song structure, that familiarity is used as a pallet to experiment, critique and subtly distort. Since the 2015 debut album ‘2019’ on Ramp Local, Erica Eso has expanded from solo bedroom experimentation to a full-on band, integrating Rhonda Lowry (drums), Nathaniel Morgan (bass/vocals), Lydia Velichkovski (synthesizer), and Angelica Bess (vocals/synth) to add new dimensions to their self-proclaimed “femmed-out microtonal synth pop.” But whose femininity is hollering out amongst this reverb?
Belle-Skinner aka Maria Brosgol is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer based in Upstate New York and Brooklyn. With a hauntingly beautiful, lilting soprano and innate sense of melody she crafts tales of songbirds, sirens and desert nomads – nuanced and layered stories which bridge the gap between past and present. Though her influences cover a broad range of genres – from French chansons and Russian folk to contemporary alt-pop and rock – her voice often draws comparisons to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Jeff Buckley, and Angel Olsen.
Opening for acts such as Mitski,Sean Rowe, Bill Ryder-Jones, Joy Ike, Saint Saviour, Novelty Daughter, Winterpills, and Heather Maloney, she has performed at venerated venues like The Linda, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, and the Roundhouse Theatre in London.
In 2015 she was a finalist at the Telluride Troubadour Competition; a showcasing songwriter on the main-stage at Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in Lyons, CO; a semi-finalist in The 2015 Great American Songwriting Contest; a finalist in July 2016’s SolarFest Songwriter Showcase; a showcasing artist at August 2016’s MusikFest, the country’s largest free music festival; and a performer at Brooklyn’s famous Northside Festival in 2017 and 2018.
Voted “Best of 2017” by Sofar NYC
Winner of The Deli Magazine’s NYC Artist of the Month (January 2017)
“A hidden treasure…Belle-Skinner reflects the deepest flaws and the greatest beauties of human nature within her music, which is both charming and chilling, and a simple joy to listen to.”
-The Wild Honey Pie
Frenchy and the Punk is an Internationally touring duo based in New York. Formed by bi-lingual French-born singer Samantha Stephenson and Massachusetts Punk veteran and live looping guitarist Scott Helland, their sound is an eclectic mix of cabaret and folk rock. Helland’s signature rhythmic and melodic guitar looping style creates a driving and expansive sonic landscape that perfectly blends with Stephenson’s powerful vocals and percussion. Their show is a spirited, upbeat extravaganza with rollicking original songs in English and French and pounding tribal drum instrumentals. They were named one of the Top 25 Duos in America by Yahoo Music Blog. They released there newest CD, Hooray Beret, in March 2019. Visit frenchyandthepunk.com
Weege & The Wondertwins combine elements of past and present to create a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. With powerhouse vocalist, Lexi Weege fronting this hot jazz circus rock outfit, one is guaranteed an experience like no other when attending a show. Identical twins Aj and Tom Del Negro provide lush harmonies and unique compositions all backed by drummer Erek Browns refreshingly dynamic style. Their debut album “Marigold” arrived in spring of 2017 and national tours and wild adventures followed soon afterward. Their sophomore album is currently in gestation and will escape the creative womb in spring of 2019. It will feature newest member, Nick Ferarara on twangy telecaster.
Fueled by raw emotion and vulnerability, Nick Stanley, a singer/songwriter from North Adams, turns mental health struggles into explosive and poetic soundscapes filled with self-reflective lyrics.
Nick is currently in the process of self-recording and producing his debut EP “Monsters”, which–for the listener– is an audio journey filled with grungy-rock-tones, lined with sweet ambient waves that take you down his rabbit hole of self discovery and healing.
“What started out as an idea for an album, turned itself into an unexpected -yet incredible- spiritual journey of self-discovery, growth and healing. I have finally found my voice after years of swimming through a sea of self-doubt, depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. There is such an unfortunate and negative stigma associated with Mental Health, and few people feel comfortable talking about it, but talking about it is truly essential for the better health of us all.”
The first installments of this album came together when Nick finally opened up after being in a constant daily depressive state.
In a ‘sink-or-swim’ fashion, Nick started to journalize his thoughts in a poetic/song structure that inevitably became his healing process.
“I really enjoy the journey, from writing lyrics to tweaking my effects and cranking it all through old tube amps. I truly love the tone search, to experiment and create something new. I often find myself lost in the ‘wall of sound’ for hours.”
“In a society that lives for everyone else. Embrace Yourself. Be your own voice.” -Nick Stanley
Spero is a multi-instrumentalist and songstress with a fondness for loops and anything Funky. Her ethereal grooves, soulful voice and dark lyrics float over oceans of finger-style guitar. Having grown up on a bedrock of early Soul & Motown, she brings you luscious, new blends of her journeys through jazz, folk and world rhythms.
Mutant Forest creates lush dark productions, that pulsate in synesthetic forms. Exploring feelings of modern alienation and anxiety, carving paths to meadows of warm hope. Mutant Forest is a place where we can feel alone together. The Brooklyn based duo is fascinated with creating interactive performance and immersive installations. Look out for Mutant Forest’s debut album coming early Summer 2019.
A garage inspired No Wave four piece born out of boredom and rustbelt desperation. Screaming feedback and layers of sounds bring a sonic assault wherever they play.
Mamma’s Marmalade is a Northampton MA-based newgrass band. Their fresh take on traditional American music transforms the conventional bluegrass experience into a raucous barnyard party that refuses to let you sit. Since their formation in 2014, the five piece string band has been fusing diverse musical backgrounds into a sound that bursts at the seams with energy, exuding a pure joy for creating music. Mamma’s honest lyrics and warm, acoustic tones invite listeners back to a time when wooden instruments and sweet vocal harmonies captivated the hearts of America. Experimenting with intricate instrumentals and lively covers, their music brings the genre to new and unexpected places.
Jagweed is a one-(hu)man-band hailing from Vermont. Playing a mix of originals and (mostly) early 20th century American folk, country, pop, and jazz tunes through a very modern and somewhat experimental lens.
Most of Jagweed’s gear (and there is plenty of it) is either hobbled together from household junk or hand-built by the artist. A typical set will include a plectrum banjo (highly modified), a homemade “tenor snarejolele” (think the biggest head a banjo’s ever had paired with the shortest neck a banjo’s ever had), a kazoo so large it needs a separate stand to operate, a bass drum built out of an antique washtub, and no less than five other drums, broken cymbals, washboards, chains, ice picks, bells & street signs – most of which is controlled simultaneously with a smattering of mismatched kick pedals.
Hear Jagweed sing, holler, whistle, and play through overdriven tube amps for a truly vintage and unique sound – one that will have you out of your seat and dancing and hollering along![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1556127358968{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]http://jagweed.bandcamp.com
