Miles Taylour and the Upstate is a classic 1960s Jazz and Funk Organ Trio with a Country spin. They play classic blues and funk from the 1960’s mixed with the stirring folk and country sounds of Miles Taylour’s own music. Miles’ soulful vocals and guitar, mixed with the swinging sounds of Sean Gallagher’s organ and Aidan Samp’s Rhythms create an unforgettable live experience.
Aqua Cherry is a reggae band based out of Long Island, NY. The band has shared the stage with Steel Pulse, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, The Original Wailers, Junior Marvin, and The Legendary Wailers, Sublime with Rome, SOJA, Ballyhoo, Artikal Sound System, Sensi Trails, Common Kings, BadFish, Zac Deputy, The Scofflaws, Perro Bravo, Murphy’s Law, The Toasters, Oogee Wawa, Everlast, The Spin Doctors, Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens, and Wonder Mike from The Sugar Hill Gang. They have also played at festivals such as the Great Southbay Music Festival, Backwoods Music Festival, Beaver Island Music Festival, Higher Education Music Festival, and The Montauk Music Festival, to name a few. Aqua Cherry has four studio albums, “The Sum of Love EP”, “Auto-Kiss Proof”, “So Pretty” EP, and “Drowning in the Shallow End,” as well as numerous singles.
Rosmerayah Garcia is a multifaceted young woman who has an obsession with self expression. A singer, rapper ,poet , actress ,director and activist. She’s heavily influenced by her Afro-Dominican Taino roots. Rosmerayah was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she started writing her poetry in the midst of the chaos. She allows her surroundings to shape her work. After moving to the Hudson Valley, Rosmerayah started performing her original work at school events ,cafes and open mics. She eventually joined bands like IllHarmonic and Funk Junkies as a singer for the chance to be constantly collaborating , performing and creating with different artists . Rosmerayah uses her talents to tell the stories that need to be told and bring people together. One project at a time.
Born in Salem, Massachusetts, to undocumented parents from Costa Rica, Rams taught himself how to play the guitar and piano while teaching at a primary school in the Dominican Republic. He started playing in bands in Boston and had a short but formative stint in East Nashville, where he was inspired by the DIY music scene. Now based in Brooklyn, Rams is writing and recording music more consistently, DJ’s under the moniker, Radio Ramsés and engaging with migrants in NYC through local mutual aid work. His songs are contemplations on modern society through the lens of an artist caught between two cultural identities. Writing songs invoking both Latin and country songwriters from the 70s like Rigo Tovar, Chico Che y La Crisis, Johnny Cash, and Lee Hazlewood. Push Me Away, his debut single, produced by Max Shrager, is a statement on working-class struggle and police violence.
ramsmontero.com
More than a decade since their formation, seasoned by years of experience playing alongside Sharon Jones, Antibalas, The Roots, Arcade Fire, and Dirty Projectors to name a few, EMEFE still holds the title as one of the most exciting live bands to come out of NYC, continually wowing audiences with their mighty horn section and deeply infectious blend of funk, Afrobeat and pop music.
www.emefemusic.com
The Mya Byrne Band are three queer trans women from Brooklyn with influences ranging from Arlo Guthrie, Brittany Howard, and Leadbelly to Minutemen, Dead Milkmen, Uncle Tupelo, and the Who. Mya’s 2023 debut on Kill Rock Stars, “Rhinestone Tomboy”, definitively queered Americana music in a way that took her by surprise, with features in Rolling Stone, No Depression, and more. Featuring Swan Real (of 99% Invisible) on drums and standout newcomer Jamilah Sandoto on bass, the three channel their influences in true power trio tradition, calling down the moon, making asses shake, making you somehow laugh and cry simultaneously. It’s a vibe.
Myabyrne.com
In the labyrinth of New York’s sonic tapestry, where concrete meets culture, emerges NAIMA, a captivating musical force raised between the bustling borough of Brooklyn and the culturally rich suburb of New Rochelle. Her artistic journey is a seamless blend of analog roots and digital dreams, shaped by the diverse influences of her life.
Growing up in an environment where music was a constant companion, NAIMA was introduced to a kaleidoscope of sounds that became the foundation of her musical psyche. From the early days of her youth, her mother exposed her to a wide range of artists and educated her about the lineage of Black music. Ella Fitzgerald, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane, Lenny Kravitz, A Tribe Called Quest, and Dionne Farris, are just some of the many artists that were in heavy rotation at home. Additionally, the infectious sounds of 70s & 80s Funk, Disco, and Pop were a major cornerstone to NAIMA’s musical upbringing. With the likes of Chaka Khan, Earth Wind and Fire, Sister Sledge, Janet Jackson, and The Brothers Johnson, being some of the major contributors to the soundtrack of NAIMA’s childhood.
Meanwhile, her Panamanian father, a DJ and producer, further broadened her musical horizons with the global sounds of artists such as Ruben Bladés, Djavan, Fela Kuti Santana, and The Police.
NAIMA further pursued her musical education at Berklee College of Music, where she delved into the intricacies of her craft. However it did not take long before the magnetic pull of New York City called her back home. Returning to her mother’s home borough, Queens, NAIMA found her artistic sanctuary. She immersed herself in a thriving community of like-minded artists. The legendary DIY underground stages of C’mon Everybody, H0L0, Trans-Pecos, and Palisades became her creative playground-allowing her to further hone her craft as a performer, producer, songwriter, and singer. This period marked the genesis of her distinctive voice, culminating in her upcoming debut EP, “CITY LIGHTS.”
Describing her music as “Dream R&B” NAIMA builds a sonic landscape rooted in the traditions of the genre synthesized with a diverse range of influences. The result is a cinematic and lush soundscape that mirrors the analog and digital dichotomy of her upbringing.
NAIMA’s rise in the music scene is marked by notable collaborations with artists like Nick Hakim, Isaiah Barr of Onyx Collective, and Starchild and the New Romantic. Notable acts she has opened up for include Bilal, Madison Mcferrin, Gabriel Garzon-Montano, and Mister Twin Sister, further cementing her status as an artist to watch. With the release of two self-produced singles NAIMA has already garnered the attention of press publications, such as the Fader and V magazine.
V magazine recognizes NAIMA’s star quality; describing her as a blend of natural talent and cultivated skill, she challenges the age-old debate of whether an artist is born or made. The Fader acknowledges NAIMA as an exciting newcomer with parallels to Solange and FKA Twigs while clearly creating her own identity. Also stating that NAIMA pushes musical boundaries while honoring her roots in funk, disco, and hip-hop.
Anchored in the warmth of her musical inheritance, NAIMA views Black music as a majestic tree with roots that run deep and have boundless influence. Through her music, she aspires to contribute to that tree, in her own way.
NAIMA invites her listeners into a dreamy world where nostalgia meets innovation, and tradition harmonizes with the contemporary. Where the echoes of the past resonate in the beats of the future. As she steps into the spotlight, her story is one of cultural richness, personal discovery, and a commitment to contribute to the ever expanding legacy of Black music. And while NAIMA continues to carve her niche in the music scene, she stands not only as a testament to her roots but as a beacon for the evolving landscape of R&B. Her music, like the city lights that inspired her, illuminates the path forward, inviting listeners to embark on a soul-stirring journey through the streets of her sonic universe.
Collective coming from Kingston NY Mix of hip hop & R&B and great vibes For everyone to tap into frequency is the new wave
Colton Thorn, MT-BC (he/they) is a board certified music therapist, local quirky singer-songwriter, and a multi-instrumentalist and voice teacher. They studied classically at Temple University. They have a wide variety of original songs and have been performing as a singer-songwriter since 2012. Their music includes tender songs around transitions, love, grief, and even Oreos. Colton’s style could be described as folky with a little bit of bounce. Colton runs a local open mic at Saltbox and one at Holding Space Place in Kingston. Colton loves playing guitar, ukulele, piano, violin, banjo, and singing. Colton also teaches music and performs locally around the Hudson Valley. Colton believes music can empower through learning and expression of emotion and provides an “in the moment connection” and loves to help foster independent and group growth. When not playing music, they love wiggling around, going on runs, eating their veggies, and time with friends in nature.
The neon moons are an east coast country band blending elements of classic country western and rock/jam band vibes. We play a bunch of originals as well as a few choice covers depending on the length of the set. Our goal is always to get people moving and highly encourage dancing at our shows. We would be stoked to share our music with they o+ crowd!
