Acoustic Long Island

The End of America is a band of friends, singers and travelers who blend three-part harmony with rock and Americana. The Philadelphia-based outfit masters a style that resonates with fans of Ryan Adams, CSNY and Dawes. All frontmen of previous bands, Brendon Thomas, James Downes and Trevor Leonard met on tour in 2005. They went on to form a trio that highlights their vocal chemistry and captures the raw honesty of their performances. TEOA recently released their debut LP (self-titled), a follow-up to their previous EPs, Shakey and Steep Bay. The new album was written in the wake of a series of close calls: one involving a van accident on tour, and the other when drummer Jarrod Pedone was involved in a hit-and-run that left him in a coma for months. Fortunately the band walked away unscathed, and Jarrod made a stunning recovery. The following winter all members relocated to Philadelphia to write and hone their new sound. Joining forces with longtime friend and engineer Dave Downham in the producer’s chair, the

Opening our July concert was the incomparable Lois Morton. Lois is a performing songwriter who has delighted audiences throughout the New York metropolitan area for the last few years with her abundant charm and humorous songs of social commentary. Reinventing herself in retirement, Lois has gone from being an educator and therapist to a singer-songwriter with a rapier wit and a surprisingly contemporary approach. Her show “As I See It” highlights Lois’ original, often hilarious songs which encourage us to laugh at ourselves, while she also brings to life the legendary Edith Piaf in a lecture-cabaret program featuring songs and stories. She has released two CDs of original songs – As I See It and 20th Century Girl.

In a career that spans five decades, 24 albums and three GRAMMY® awards, Hudson Valley Troubadour Tom Chapin has covered an incredible amount of creative ground. In addition to his work as a recording artist and concert performer, Chapin has acted on Broadway, as well as working extensively in films, television and radio. As a music-maker, the multi-talented singer/songwriter/guitarist has maintained two long and productive parallel careers, both as a highly respected contemporary folk artist and as a pioneer in the field of children’s music. In both roles, Chapin has established a reputation for insightful, heartfelt songcraft and effortlessly charismatic live performances. The New York Times called Chapin “one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music,” while Billboard called him “the best family artist around” and described him as “totally captivating.” His new adult CD, simply titled 70, finds the songwriter full of vitality and brimming with excitemen

Opening our June concert was Providence-based Seamus Galligan. He draws inspiration from artists such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and John Martyn. For the past several years, Galligan has done what aspiring musicians do – write and play…repeat. He’s spent countless hours working on material until he feels it’s strong enough for him to stand behind, constantly pushing himself to improve on his craft. When he felt ready to share his music, Galligan started frequenting the open-mic scene and taking local gigs wherever he could find them. His hard-work has begun to pay dividends as he recently took home the grand prize at the prestigious Lizard Lounge Challenge Main Event in Cambridge, MA. He has since opened for Ryan Montbleau at the historic Club Passim and performed at both the Sandywoods Folk Festival and the New Bedford Folk Festival.  This past May, Galligan embarked on a successful three week “DIY” tour of the UK where he opened for Tom Robinson at Club Karamel in London and performed a set

Headlining our May concert was Philly’s favorite bluegrass band, Man About a Horse. This 5-piece bluegrass band brandishes strong ties to the folk music tradition, with a progressive streak that informs their original songwriting. Bridging generational boundaries, Man About a Horse is equally at home picking in concert parking lots and performing on stage at some of the nation’s finest bluegrass festivals.  They released a studio recording in 2015 (“The EP”) that earned national airplay. The band opened the main stage of the 2015 Philadelphia Folk Festival, and has shared bills with the likes of Donna the Buffalo, Steve ‘N’ Seagulls, Wood & Wire, and others at renowned venues around the East Coast. Their music has been featured on blogs such as The Key, the Random Tea Sessions, and Ear to the Ground. Photo courtesy of Dave Dircks.

It was a rowdy night for our May concert – babies talking, fire sirens going off, and an especially perky crowd. Dave had some “special” news to share, then the music kicked off with singer-songwriter, Alice Howe. Treasured by audiences across New England and the Pacific Northwest, the Boston native joins a soulful, impeccably tuned voice with crafted poetry. Her songwriting is rooted in place and memory, raised on old English ballads and 1970s California folk yet entirely her own. Her fourth solo album, You’ve Been Away So Long, will be released in early 2017. “Alice is always a hit whenever she opens for me. I could listen to her sing for hours. Her voice is beautiful as a bell, classic in that Joan Baez way, transporting, wistful…her vocal mastery and musicality are beyond her young years and her songs stay in my head for days.” -Antje Duvekot. For more on Alice, click here. Photo courtesy of Steve Caputo.

Our featured act for April was Oliver the Crow, an exciting new duo from Nashville. Kaitlyn Raitz (cello, vocals) and Ben Plotnick (fiddle, vocals) have been making folk music for the majority of their lives. Though they’ve only started playing Folk, Bluegrass, Appalachian and Stringband music together this past year, they have a combined musical resume that speaks to a lifetime of dedication to these styles and more. Individually, they’ve made their respective marks playing with countless artists across North America. From Jazz, to Country, to Classical, and everywhere in between, they’ve appeared on dozens upon dozens of professional albums. They’ve played in bars for 10 people, or at festivals for 40,000. The relationship between the violin and the cello is age-old and has been proven time and time again, but as soon as Kaitlyn and Ben began to play and sing together, it became clear that something was different. Decades of experience as chamber musicians helped them to blend instantly, but it’s their spon

Opening our April concert, Scott Krokoff quickly drew in our Deepwells audience. A native Long Islander, Scott weaves elements of folk rock & country pop into confessional and compelling Americana. Scott’s latest record, 2015’s Realizations & Declarations, Vol. 2, received rave reviews praising Scott’s “graceful tales of morality and perseverance” (The Vinyl District) and “music in the vein of 1960s and ’70s songsmiths, but also recalling hot up-and-comers like Father John Misty” (PopDose). Scott has opened for Elle King and Grace Weber, toured from Vermont to Nashville, played in Belgium for his biggest fan, and received radio airplay throughout the US, Canada and Europe. For more info on Scott, go to www.scottkrokoff.com. Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg.

Michael Braunfeld is, first and foremost, a storyteller. His songs capture the everyday triumphs and struggles of ordinary people. His characters – though trapped in the particular circumstances of their own lives – appeal to a universal audience. Michael was welcomed into the Writers’ Night Family at The Bluebird Cafe in 2014 and in 2016 he was named a finalist in the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition. Whether addressing topical issues or sharing personal stories that often leave his audiences feeling that he has somehow, in some way, invaded their privacy, Michael’s performances combine a powerful guitar style with a seemingly endless supply of urgency. And he has a pretty sneaky sense of humor too. For more info on Michael, go to michaelbraunfeld.com Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg

Opening our March concert was Sophie Buskin. Sophie is a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter. Following in her father David’s footsteps (and contrary to his suggestion that she go into a more lucrative career like arbitrage) she has fallen into the wonderful world of acoustic music  – she and father perform together as BUSKIN. And after being inspired by the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference this fall, she has begun to step out and perform her own songs solo. Her website and first CD are expected out in early 2017. Photo courtesy of Steve Caputo.

This performance was recorded live at Deepwells Mansion on October 5, 2016. Driven by their own sensitive, well-rendered tunes and sterling vocal harmonies, Jill and Kate are a dynamic singing and songwriting duo with the pipes, poise, and personalities necessary to build an explosive career in their home base of Nashville, Tennessee. While Jill and Kate are best known as former background singers for award-winning vocalist, Kelly Clarkson, Jill Pickering and Kate Rapier have emerged from the background to become a forefronting pair. In the process of taking the next step toward their long-term goals, Jill and Kate joined Jann Arden for select dates throughout Canada. This distinct opportunity has opened doors, eyes, and ears to the talent of the duo, helping them not only garner professional relationships, but exposing them to unique fan bases who immediately recognized the duo’s talents. For more, go to jillandkate.com. Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg.

Warming up our October concert was the DuPont Brothers. Zack and Sam DuPont are a Burlington, VT based indie-folk-americana duo. Since the start of the band in March of 2013, the brothers have toured heavily throughout the Northeast, Mid Atlantic, South and Mid West in an independent pursuit to get their songs to as many ears as possible. Their travels have opened doors to festival appearances at SXSW & Grand Point North in addition to performances in support of some of their musical heroes including Bahamas, Blake Mills, Sturgill Simpson, Ben Sollee, Langhorne Slim, Chris Eldridge & Julian Lage and Jerry Douglas to name a few. This past year, they have been working on a new studio album with VT producer, Michael Chorney and a hand picked cast of local musicians. Their sophomore full length and first ever vinyl release, A Riddle For You, was released on June 3rd 2016 and is available on all the digital music hubs. Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg

Julian Velard’s performance recorded live at the Historic Deepwells Mansion on September 7, 2016. With a style The Sunday Times calls “catchy but complicated; a surprisingly rare combination,” Julian Velard is piano-pop tunesmith recalling Stephen Sondheim or Randy Newman at the peak of their talents. With 4 albums of original material under his belt, he’s toured internationally alongside the likes of Jamie Cullum, Paul Carrack, and Amy Macdonald. His quirky, native new york, piano-man sound has found its largest audience in Holland, where he headlined Amsterdam’s legendary venue, Paradiso. His comedic timing and musical stylings have made him a regular on The Howard Stern Show and NPR’s Ask Me Another. For more, go to julianvelard.com. Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg

Our September concert was kicked off with “Dave’s Top Ten New Names for the Summer Concert,” followed by our “Little Billy Riddle” segment, – which was delivered this time by it’s namesake, Little Billy (yes, the son of our esteemed sound man, Billy). We don’t always share our intro monologue silliness, but this one was “ready for primetime.” Finally, warming up the night with her pristine vocals and masterful song crafting was Long Island’s own, Cassandra House. Enjoy! Photos courtesy of Howard Greenberg.

Matt Nakoa was our featured artist for the August concert at Deepwells. “Between his piano chops, charismatic stage presence, and heartfelt originals on guitar, Matt Nakoa drops jaws.”, says The Boston Globe. From a small goat farm in Central NY, Matt trained as a concert pianist before attending Berklee College of Music as a vocalist. After school, Matt landed in NYC’s piano bar scene and began attracting capacity crowds each Saturday night. Now, toting multiple albums and songwriting awards, Matt tours internationally; recently performing at The White House and regularly with folk icon Tom Rush. Visit www.mattnakoa.com for what’s new! Photo courtesy of Howard Greenberg

Opening our August show, Robinson contributed his unique energy and soulfulness to a performance that had the crowd asking for more. Robinson Treacher is a powerfully dramatic NYC acoustic singer/songwriter whose writing style, as well as his live performances, reflect the influence that classic soul and blues-based music has impressed upon him. His passion and emotional grit burst through every aspect of his music. For more on his music, click here.

This performance was recorded live as part of our 11th Annual Summer Concert Festival. With an eclectic song catalog and category-defying organic/electronic sound, people are taking notice of ATC.  They were 2015 Billboard Hot 100 Fest performers with The Weeknd and Justin Bieber, placed on the NPR Hot 100 List for SXSW, named Guardian UK Band of the Day, won Best Indie Alternative Song for “You Know Me” in the Independent Music Awards, and have over 15 million Spotify plays. ATC’s music has been licensed by Bose, MTV, NBC, ABC, Disney, Verizon, Toyota, and many more. The band started 2016 with showcases in Park City at Sundance with ASCAP, Toyota Music Lodge, and Cisero’s. They followed this up with their first Sixth man Rock Boat cruise with bands like Bronze Radio Return, Jukebox The Ghost, and Michael Franti. An Official act again this year at SXSW, ATC played showcases for McDonalds, the Grammy Museum, and was featured on Jeff Regan’s Alt Nation playlist of bands to watch at

Recorded live at our 11th Annual Summer Concert Festival, Miller’s Crossing is a bluegrass band based out of Long Island, New York. Miller’s Crossing prides itself on the original material each member brings to the band’s repertoire. They strive to play bluegrass music the way they feel it, and the result is a fresh outlook on the music while not getting too far away from it’s roots. A premier release of the CD “Adirondack Rail”, by Marjorie Kelting and Ronnie Feinberg, is an example of some of the material performed by Miller’s Crossing. For more, click here.

Recorded LIVE at Deepwells Mansion as part of its 11th Annual Summer Concert Festival. Lou Voodoo combines the vibes of New Orleans parades, Prohibition speakeasies, and modern urban streetcorners.  Their music captures the existential jazz/funk celebration of temptation, vice, love, superstition and the mysterious afterlife that we’re all headed toward.  Be prepared to move and chant and laugh and clap – and a sip of bourbon might be in order too. Hailing from Westchester, NY, Lou Voodoo is Dave Lewis on guitar, Ken Dircks on standup bass, and Rich Monopoli on drums.

Jocelyn has a hooky, lyric driven, acoustic sound that relates to artists like Ed Sheeran, Tracy Chapman, Megan Treynor, Nora Jones, etc. Just 18 Jocelyn has already performed at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café, The legendary Whiskey-A-Go-Go in LA (twice), as well as Omaha’s premier music venues, The Waiting Room and The Slowdown, and many other clubs and events. Possessing a magnetic personality and live stage presence Jocelyn is a unique and undeniable vocal and guitar stylist that is impressive at any age and absolutely stunning at hers. For more, click here.