Banned Jezebel
A music collective from the Hudson Valley that blends the genres of Funk, Blues, Rock & Soul
Benji & Rita
“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.
Peter Boofit
I was homeless in Kingston before getting some help from RUPCO to secure a residence and made all of this music while homeless. Since then I have played many shows in Kingston from tubbys to lunch nightly and have been gaining a steady following. My music is original 8 bit music kind of like old Nintendo music but about persevering and overcoming personal obstacles. Please listen and enjoy!
Molly Tigre
Molly Tigre marries the rhythms and melodies of African music– especially the entrancing styles from Ethiopia and Mali- with a uniquely progressive and exploratory jazz sound. Featuring the compositions of Mitch Marcus and bassist Ezra Gale (Super Hi-Fi,
Aphrodesia), the band also features saxophonist Chris Hiatt (Japonize Elephants), drummer Joe Abba, and percussionists Ibrahima Kolipe Camara (National Dance Company of Guinea) and Mamadou Konate Simbo.
Memorably described as “Ethiopian funk drinks a progressive jazz cocktail at Miles Davis’ 1970’s loft party,” Molly Tigre’s polyrhythmic stew is music for the body and mind.
Carsie Blanton
Carsie Blanton is a songwriter with hooks, humor, chutzpah, and revolutionary optimism. Inspired by artist-activists including Nina Simone and Woody Guthrie, her catalog is a jaunt through American popular song, from sultry jazz to pop-punk protest anthems.
Her unique mix of hook-driven pop sensibility, political satire, and heartfelt authenticity has brought her a small menagerie of viral hits including Rich People, Shit List, and 2020’s tear-jerking tribute to John Prine, Fishin’ with You.
https://www.carsieblanton.com/
The Goddess Party
Hudson Valley supergroup, The Goddess Party, is embodied by a choir of 30+ local singers and a rock band, each member a powerhouse in her own right. Spearheaded by the visionary psych rock musician, Shana Falana, the collective functions as a dynamic organism with extensive input from members. Working performance-art through an eclectic soundscape ranging from PJ Harvey and Kate Bush to Bulgarian field songs, it’s an immersive experience.
The Sparkles
The Sparkles combine catchy 90s pop-punk with the surprise addition of danceable 80s synth. They tackle hard topics like falling in love in dive bars, swimming in a superfund site, and having a companion pony. They bring the whimsy to every show and as one NYC punk legend said, “This is way better than it needs to be!”
Beartoe
Beartoe is a highly skilled professional guitar player known for his exceptional blues music, infused with soulful melodies that captivate his audience. He grew up in the beautiful state of Maryland, where he was introduced to the world of music at a young age. His love for blues and soul music was ignited when he first heard the greats like BB King and Otis Redding.
Beartoe’s guitar playing style is a reflection of his influences, and he blends traditional blues with contemporary soul to create a unique sound that is his own. His guitar playing is emotive and passionate, and he has a gift for connecting with his audience on a deep, emotional level through his music.
After honing his craft for years, Beartoe moved to central Florida to pursue his career as a professional musician. He has since become a fixture on the local music scene, performing at various venues, festivals, and events across the state. He is highly respected among his peers and has gained a loyal following of fans who appreciate his exceptional talent and passion for music.
Beartoe’s music is not just about entertaining his audience; it’s about connecting with them and creating an experience that transcends language and cultural barriers. His performances are a celebration of the human experience and the power of music to bring people together. If you ever have the chance to catch Beartoe performing live, don’t miss it – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
DJ Ronnie Rave
She has an interesting style blending all styles of Electronic music including, dance, deep house, bass house, house music, tech house and techno, with some bits of hip hop tracks while throwing in fun remix tracks in her music selections. She has a fun club vibe that will keep the dance floor dancing.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC26yqQfnNC5vp3-vd_qukCw
https://on.soundcloud.com/ZvuWDTS2BgTtsTb27https://on.soundcloud.com/ZvuWDTS2BgTtsTb27
Pencildive
Pencildive is a NYC-based rock band led by songwriter/guitarist Gina De Nardo. The sound ranges from tender to explosive, with punchy drums and gritty guitar interwoven with brooding melodies and live noise experiments.
In 2019 they released their debut EP, WHEN I GO OUTSIDE, and a short film for the song “Cricket Man.” Their full-length release, GROWN-UPS (Paintbox Records), is a louder and deeper exploration of De Nardo’s inner world. Her haunting vocals about lost love and sleepless nights slice through the group’s wild, electric arrangements in a frenzy of gloomy punk.
So what even is a pencildive? Ask De Nardo and she’ll tell you it’s the fastest way to the bottom – a morbid daydream, a shock to the system, a plunge that the band conveys through distortion, feedback loops, strings, and field recordings, all layered into music named after body parts. The as-of-yet-unreleased “Cover Your Ears” is a broken heart, and “Eyes” is a surf-punk party where the cassette tape warbles and warps into slow motion before abruptly catching fire.
Originally hailing from Saratoga Springs, the band enjoys a loyal fan base in the area. De Nardo moved to Brooklyn in late 2022, joining drummer Zach Hirsch and bassist Ryan Hopper. After exploring a handful of lineups the band has solidified as a power trio, and they are now working on a slate of new releases to reflect their current sound.
https://pencildive.bandcamp.com/