2020 Season
January 18, 2020
Nico Padden
Nico Padden is a One-Woman Folk-Rock Riot. Her rich, catchy, heartfelt songs and fiery, soulful voice are crowd-pleasers everywhere she performs. Her 2016 album “A Light in the Dark,” has had significant play on Folk Radio. Her voice has drawn comparisons to Brandi Carlile, Aretha Franklin, and Joni Mitchell.
Dan Whitener
Dan Whitener has hit the Billboard Bluegrass charts as a banjo player with both Emmy-nominated bluegrass-hiphop band "Gangstagrass" and Philadelphia’s own Newgrass Americana band "Man About A Horse". His song "We Are Gonna Be Okay" was featured in Spike Lee's movie" BlacKkKlansman".
Tara Dente
Tara Dente is an inventive songwriter with a powerful voice and heartfelt, whimsical stylings. She grew up around the sounds of Celtic music and spirituals, later latching on to folk and Americana music. Tara was nominated for an Asbury Music Award for Top Local Album Release for her album, The Gleaner, in 2018 .
February 8, 2020
Belle-Skinner
Belle-Skinner is a singer-songwriter 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. Her voice draws comparisons to Joni Mitchell, Jeff Buckley, and Angel Olsen.
Pete Mancini
Diversion Records Recording Artist Pete Mancini got his start as the frontman and primary songwriter of Butchers Blind. His debut solo album Foothill Freeway explored the Americana influences that were a hallmark of his work with his former band. His songs have received glowing reviews and radio airplay around the world.
Sophie Buskin
Sophie performed extensively with her father (of Buskin and Batteau fame) before embarking on a solo career. She has performed at venues throughout the New York area, including opening for Livingston Taylor. Her songs have been described as wise, laced with sly humor, and containing melodies that are different and surprising.
2020 STREAMING CONCERTS
April 14, 2020 at 7:30 pm
AUDIO VIDEO WEBSITE
Rachael Kilgour is a Minnesotan songwriter and performing artist whose sincere, lyric-driven work has been called both brave and humane. The 2015 grand prize winner of the esteemed international NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition and winner of the 2017 Kerrville New Folk Contest, Kilgour has been featured at NYC’s Lincoln Center, at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and by the ASCAP Music Cafe at the Sundance Film Festival.
Kilgour’s latest EP, Game Changer, examines the her tentative first steps into a new existence, post-heartbreak. With a clear head, Kilgour touches on the complicated nature of romance and relationship, sets up a stunning defense of queer love, and reassesses her priorities as a citizen of a changing wider world.
Kilgour was awarded a 2020 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant to focus on a songwriting project about the life and recent death of her father.
THE IMMERSIVE 360° VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE
This will be the first in a series of concert events sponsored by River Spirit Music and Voices in the Heights in association with MUSAE offered through their new 360°/VR platform. The live events will include extra features provided by the artist to make the show an unforgettable experience.
With the Virtual Reality (VR) package, you can watch the show from the stage, the sides or the front row. We will ship you a VR headset along with plug and play setup so you can experience concerts in a completely new way. NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED A VR HEADSET TO VIEW THE CONCERT. HOWEVER, IT WILL ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE.
We will ship VR headsets via 2-day mail, but cannot guarantee arrival times. If for any reason you don’t get it in time or have technical difficulties, return it and we’ll issue a full refund.
TICKET/CONTRIBUTION LEVELS
If you’re truly struggling due to the Coronavirus situation, take advantage of our "Pay What You Can" offer (minimum $5). If you’re able to pay more, to help someone else pay less, please do!
$5 — I Just Need to Smile Right Now
$10 – Fan of Rachael Kilgour
$15 – Lover of Rachael Kilgour
$20 – Supporter of Rachael Kilgour
$50 – Patron of Rachael Kilgour
April 24, 2020 at 7:30 pm
AUDIO VIDEO WEBSITE
In 2019, Kirsten Maxwell performed at a gala honoring Judy Collins with such notable artists as Jimmy Webb, Suzanne Vega, Nona Hendrix, and Judy herself. The legendary singer was so impressed that she invited her on her 2020 winter tour. Maxwell is one of five artists selected to receive a grant from the 2020 Joe’s Pub Working Group - an artist development program of The Public Theater.
In addition to sharing the stage with Paul Shaffer, Maxwell has also opened for Melissa Etheridge, Tanya Tucker, The Bacon Brothers, and Robert Klein. Maxwell also works in Nashville where she has performed at the City Winery and the iconic Bluebird Cafe.
Kirsten Maxwell is a New York native, raised between Sunnyside, Queens and Huntington, Long Island. She attributes her love of music to her parents who met performing at the famed Amato Opera. Maxwell made her stage debut at age 5, and remained there, changing costumes and styles, exploring opera, musical theater, folk, and everything in between. Her eclectic taste and talent for switching between genres remain, but she can most often be found playing guitar and singing one of her original songs.
THE IMMERSIVE 360° VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE
This will be the second in a series of concert events sponsored by River Spirit Music and Voices in the Heights in association with MUSAE offered through their new 360°/VR platform. The live events will include extra features provided by the artist to make the show an unforgettable experience.
With the Virtual Reality (VR) package, you can watch the show from the stage, the sides or the front row. We will ship you a VR headset along with plug and play setup so you can experience concerts in a completely new way. NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED A VR HEADSET TO VIEW THE CONCERT. HOWEVER, IT WILL ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE.
We will ship VR headsets via 2-day mail, but cannot guarantee arrival times. If for any reason you don’t get it in time or have technical difficulties, return it and we’ll issue a full refund.
TICKET/CONTRIBUTION LEVELS
If you’re truly struggling due to the Coronavirus situation, take advantage of our "Pay What You Can" offer (minimum $5). If you’re able to pay more, to help someone else pay less, please do!
$5 — I Just Need to Smile Right Now
$10 – Fan of Kirsten Maxwell
$15 – Lover of Kirsten Maxwell
$20 – Supporter of Kirsten Maxwell
$50 – Patron of Kirsten Maxwell
June 5, 2020 at 7:30 pm
AUDIO VIDEO WEBSITE
Rupert Wates was born in London, UK, and has been based in the US since 2007. He signed a publishing deal with Eaton Music (London) in 1994 and has been a full-time songwriter ever since. He has won over 40 songwriting and performing awards. In 2018 he performed as a Finalist in the Kerrville New Song Folk Contest and an Emerging Artist at Falconridge Folk Festival. More than 25 of his songs have been covered by other artists, including two full-length tribute albums to his material recorded by independent artists in Nashville and Los Angeles. He has released 9 solo albums, tracks from which have been played on radio worldwide. He averages 120 live shows a year, in every state in the US, in Canada and in Europe. Colorado Central Magazine describes his songs as ‘sublime folk hymns’, while Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange adds ‘this is one gifted s.o.b…if you’re not hip to this guy you’re missing out’.
THE IMMERSIVE 360° VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE
This will be the third in a series of concert events sponsored by River Spirit Music and Voices in the Heights in association with MUSAE offered through their new 360°/VR platform. The live events will include extra features provided by the artist to make the show an unforgettable experience.
With the Virtual Reality (VR) package, you can watch the show from the stage, the sides or the front row. We will ship you a VR headset along with plug and play setup so you can experience concerts in a completely new way.
NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED A VR HEADSET TO VIEW THE CONCERT. HOWEVER, IT WILL ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE.
We will ship VR headsets via 2-day mail, but cannot guarantee arrival times. If for any reason you don’t get it in time or have technical difficulties, return it and we’ll issue a full refund.
TICKET/CONTRIBUTION LEVELS
If you’re truly struggling due to the Coronavirus situation, take advantage of our "Pay What You Can" offer (minimum $5). If you’re able to pay more, to help someone else pay less, please do!
$5 — I Just Need to Smile Right Now
$10 – Fan of Rupert Wates
$15 – Lover of Rupert Wates
$20 – Supporter of Rupert Wates
$50 – Patron of Rupert Wates
June 27, 2020 at 8:00 pm
AUDIO VIDEO WEBSITE
ROBINSON TREACHER was:
Nominated for a Nashville Music City Award for his song "Long Day Good Night”.
Nominated for a Nashville City Music City Award for his song "This Bar”
Winner 2018 Independent Music Award (IMA) BEST EP Roots/Country/Singer -Songwriter/Americana for his latest album, “Born".
Nominated for a Nashville City Music City Award for an NSAI/CMT country music People's Choice Award.
Born and raised in New York, Robinson Treacher’s musical honesty and vocal grit reflect his musical influences from Nashville, downtown New York City to the upstate Adirondacks. On the heels of his last release, "Porches", Robinson released "Born", a purposefully "stripped down" collection of songs that rarely contains more than an acoustic guitar, an upright bass, and of course his powerfully distinct vocal. His EP “Born” received the honor of 2018’s Independent Music Award for BEST EP (Roots/Americana/Singer-songwriter). Since then, Robinson has been featured on Sirius/XM’s "The Loft: Live from The Living Room" series and WFUV “Sunday Breakfast”. He has shared the stage with notable artists as Vince Gill, Iris Dement, The Spin Doctors, GE Smith, Joan Osborne, Cheryl Wheeler, Amy Helm, Tom Rush, Arlo Guthrie, and Carrie Rodriguez. Legendary songwriter Don Schlitz ("Forever and Ever Amen", "When You Say Nothing At All", "The Gambler") described Robinson as being, "…impossible to follow in concert."
THE IMMERSIVE 360° VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE
This is the first in a series of concert events sponsored by River Spirit Music, Ethical Brew, and Voices in the Heights in association with MUSAE offered through their new 360°/VR platform. The live events include extra features provided by the artist to make the show an unforgettable experience.
With the Virtual Reality (VR) package, you can watch the show from the stage, the sides or the front row. We will ship you a VR headset along with plug and play setup so you can experience concerts in a completely new way.
NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED A VR HEADSET TO VIEW THE CONCERT. HOWEVER, IT WILL ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE.
We will ship VR headsets via 2-day mail, but cannot guarantee arrival times. If for any reason you don’t get it in time or have technical difficulties, return it and we’ll issue a full refund.
TICKET/CONTRIBUTION LEVELS
If you’re truly struggling due to the Coronavirus situation, take advantage of our "Pay What You Can" offer (minimum $5). If you’re able to pay more, to help someone else pay less, please do!
$5 — I Just Need to Smile Right Now
$10 – Fan of Robinson Treacher
$15 – Lover of Robinson Treacher
$20 – Supporter of Robinson Treacher
$50 – Patron of Robinson Treacher
October 17, 2020 at 7:30
Garrin Benfield
Garrin Benfield's sound has been described as Freestyle Acoustic Rock. His music is a blend of moody, guitar driven rock and polyrhythmic groove all run through the filter of a very serious Singer/Songwriter. Garrin has been touring nationally for ten years and played many of North America's best music venues, including Joe’s Pub and Carnegie Hall.
The New Students
Based in Brooklyn and Long Island, The New Students perform original and traditional songs blending folk, roots, bluegrass and Americana traditions. Tight three-part harmonies, skillful acoustic instrumentation, and thoughtful lyrics make up their signature sound. Over the last ten years, they have recorded three albums, all music you want to hear.
Willa Mamet
Singer, songwriter, community rabble-rouser, loudmouth for good. Host of the livecast How to Be A Hero for Independent Music and essayist of No Word Wasted. On keys and a guitar (named Sandy), Willa's Voice is her main instrument - all those words you didn't know you needed to say or hear...there they are. Her new record is slated to be born 2020.
November 21, 2020 at 7:30
Alisa Amador
Alisa Amador’s music is a synthesis of the many styles she’s voraciously absorbed: rock, jazz, funk and alternative folk, all wrapped in the spirit of the Latin music she grew up with. Her soulful singing, poetically incisive lyrics, and syncopated rhythms, are likely to make you cry, laugh and dance all within one set.
Jann Klose
Jann Klose is an award-winning singer-songwriter, who has released six albums and two EPs. His single "Love You the Most" is part of the soundtrack for the movie "Married Young" (Amazon) and has been streamed over 1.6 million times. His newest single "Pilot Light" passed 1 million views on YouTube in just one month.
Katie Martucci
Katie Martucci returns to Voices in the Heights for a solo performance. Katie has toured the United States with her trio The Ladles, founded the Tucci Swing Orchestra, released several solo recordings, and scored the National Geographic film 'Glen Canyon Rediscovered'.
December 12, 2020 at 7:30
Claire Wellin
Claire is a musician, actor, and advocate who leads the surrealist folk band Youth in a Roman Field. Weaving string loops with soaring violin melodies and dynamic vocals, Claire’s solo show is part singer-songwriter, part one-woman-chamber orchestra, offering an intimate translation of the inventive songs on the band’s studio recordings as well as their upcoming third record, Get Caught Trying.
Jesse Ruben
The message that Brooklyn singer/songwriter Jesse Ruben has been spreading through his music is simple and direct. I can. You can. We Can. His most recent single, "This Is Why I Need You", reached the top 10 in 12 different countries, and has been streamed over 40 million times. He has been featured on MTV, CNN, and The TODAY Show. Next year, Jesse will release his new EP A Reply to Violence
Lily Henley
Lily Henley is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and fiddler who is based in Brooklyn. Lily was recognized as a 2019 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellow Finalist from The NY Foundation for the Arts and in 2020 for the NY New Jewish Culture fellowship. She has two upcoming albums, “Imperfect By Design”, an Indie Folk anthology about love, belonging, independence, and change, and “Oras Dezaoradas”, a collection of brand new Judeo-Spanish Folk Songs.