Category: Music

“Dramatic and poignant!” – NPR

“Incredibly well-crafted songs” – USA Today

Quality songwriting never goes out of style. Six records into his career as the front person and principal songwriter of Setting Sun, Gary Levitt shares much with the indie rock of the early 2000s: its spirit of renewed innocence, the poetics of personal candor, and the conscious refusal of irony and snark. But Levitt’s indie aesthetic is also laced with influences from the angst-rock 90s, and the songs of ‘The Feelings Cure’ (out May 19, 2023) are permissive of more than a little darkness.

On this latest record, hyper-melodic, catchy choruses alternate with bedroom-symphonic mood pieces, baroque waltzes, and downhill, propulsive rockers, all decorated by a mixture of experimental synth and moody string orchestrations. A central element of Setting Sun is the dichotomy of somber lyrics layered over upbeat driving rhythms, and The Feelings Cure delivers in abundance. A sonic, harmonic, or lyrical surprise lurks around every corner.

Gary Levitt began Setting Sun in San Francisco, where their first release, ‘holed up,’ was recorded. Later he migrated to Los Angeles and then Brooklyn, finally settling in the scenic mid-Hudson Valley of New York (Kingston, Woodstock). His songs have appeared in a number of television shows, commercials, and a few international films. The current Setting Sun live lineup features Levitt and long-time collaborators Lawrence Roper (keyboards, vocals) and Jonathan Hambright (drums). They are joined in this incarnation by bassist and vocalist John Burdick.

http://www.settingsuntheband.com

Sean K. Preston is an internationally touring artist from Baltimore, MD. The band’s album “Forgive” was released on Rusty Knuckles Music and the band currently on tour, sharing their raucous honkytonk, dirty blues, roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll, and tear jerking country balladry.

The music of Sean K. Preston draws heavily on the influences of the classic heartbroken sounds of Country & Western music from the 1940’s – 1970’s, the honesty of the Blues by the likes of Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker, the bombast of 50’s Rock’n’Roll, the lyrical sophistication of musical poets like Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Nick Cave, the raw energy of Punk, and the spirituality of Mountain Gospel. Sean’s own songs range from delicate laments and lullabies to fiery sermons and confessions.

http://www.seankpreston.com

monarch. is formed by Sarah Hartstein (vocals), Alex Alfaro (drums), Nick Pappalardo (guitar), and Jesse Hartstein (bass). The group started their new project during the Summer of 2021, and have since been playing numerous gigs in the New York area, building a loyal following of fans who appreciate their ability to have fun together on stage while doing what they love most. Their originals are inspired by jazz, pop, punk, indie, and rock artists such as Amy Winehouse, Fiona Apple, and more. Their latest single, “No Vacancy,” is a powerful and emotional ballad that showcases their distinct sound forming stronger.

https://monarchthebandny.wixsite.com/monarchtheband

Harrison is a songwriter/instrumentalist born and raised in the Hudson Valley, New York. He has performed in several groups, on the west and east coasts, either playing his own songs or drumming for the likes of Emily Ritz, Credit Electric, or The Long Road Society artists.
Harrison’s lyricism is revolved around love, death, and nature. His music is both soulful heart folk and dark jangly experimental landscapes. His songs reflect the times that we live in and beckon the audience to engage honestly.

Harrisonbasch.bandcamp.com

New York artist Rah-C, real name Christian Rossi, has been paving his own lane independently while building a loyal following through consistently releasing music. The multi-talented DIY artist has a direct hand is every single aspect of the creative process, including producing and mixing multiple songs that have gained millions of streams.

rahcmusic.com

Hailing from NY/NJ Keep Flying are a hyper energetic horn driven punk rock band that performs their highly relatable heavy yet motivational lyrics in a light hearted and youthful atmosphere.

Www.keepflying.band

“Ame [pronounced like Aim] is a mystical genre & gender blending artist with powerful vocals and stories to tell. Equal parts haunting and healing, Ame’s enchanting melodies and alt-rock beats soothe the soul and move your body. Intention & theatrics behind every choice, Ame will keep you guessing and leave you in a nostalgic, euphoric daze.”

Press:

“Recalls the likes of Lorde, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Halsey, etc.”

– UNXIGNED Music Blogger

‘“Catchy and simply groovy…with lush, suiting vocals…Blends indie pop, pop rock, and R&B-flavored textures that make for a fresh, engaging, and evocative musical character. Ame clearly has a knack for this.”

– UNXIGNED Music Blogger

“Right from the start, I felt immersed in something really beautiful…”

– Roadie Music Blogger

“Passionate and poetic.”

– York Calling Music Blogger

AmandaSpinella.com

M’Bollo combines west African roots with American musical elements such as upright bass and acoustic guitar. M’Bollo consists of Theo Schikowitz on upright bass, Benjy Bruno and Matthew Albeck on guitar, and Amadou Diallo on Djembe and Gongoma drums. Amadou has been living in America since 2001 and began by teaching African roots drums in the Hudson Valley, collaborating with a great many different groups playing a wide variety of music. M’Bollo’s songs are written by Amadou; some are Sufi songs, others are love songs or songs about peace. M’Bollo has had the pleasure of playing at a variety of local venues including Opus 40, the Falcon, the Colony Woodstock Cafe, the Rosendale Street Festival, Woodstock Farmers Market, and Bywater Bistro, among others, and are available for private parties and events.

A music collective from the Hudson Valley that blends the genres of Funk, Blues, Rock & Soul

“Benji Kaplan and Rita Figueiredo are two well-respected Brazilian jazz musicians, though their approach is quite different. Kaplan, a New York native, is an intimate songwriter who gently strums the guitar, sings poetic lyrics, and harmonizes gorgeously. Rita Figueiredo, who hails from São Paulo, Brazil, has similar traditional Brazilian music-meets-jazz influences, but with a much more theatrical approach. Her talent as a composer with her fierce singing style gives her music unbridled passion. Rita’s intensity of spirit might seem to be an odd mix with Benji’s understated complexity but it’s quite a logical fit. You really can’t do better than these two when it comes to current players of this genre.” By Aaron Carnes – East Bay Express.

“A guitar player with a perfect balance of intellect and emotion.” Jazztimes.

“Brasilis is the birth registry of an uncommon artist, a skillful composer and irreverent interpreter, Rita Figueiredo surprises the listener by her good taste in creating her first album.” by Ed Félix – Embrulador.

“Chorando Sete Cores is a testament to Kaplan’s skills as a composer, orchestrator, and musical visionary of exquisite taste, all wrapped up in the passion and style of Brazil.” By Geaninne Reid – All About Jazz.

“Brasilis is the portentous debut of a talented artist who has everything to subvert the logic of contemporary women’ Brazilian popular music.” by Tiago Ferreira – Na Mira do Groove.

www.benjiandrita.com

https://benjikaplan.bandcamp.com/album/benji-rita