The Pound Ridge Partnership (PRP) invites you to a live Battle of the Bands performance on June 6th at 2PM during Pound Ridge Proud Day. Two finalists from each category have been selected to perform, and the winner of each category will open at our annual Pound Ridge Harvest Festival. Winners will be selected by audience participation.
This year the young adult finalists come from near and far. Vacancy, a four-piece band from Northern Westchester, whose members met through their involvement with School of Rock. Jack Hanlon from Chappaqua, Katharine Schulz from Pound Ridge, and from Somers longtime friends, Derek Farrell and Andrew Tatela, seemed to naturally gravitate to each other. The newly formed group has been together for three months, and “playing alongside each other is always the highlight” of their week.
Competing against them will be singer/songwriter/pianist Logan Spaleta The New York City based 15-year-old draws inspiration from Billy Joel to Green Day and Something Corporate. As quick and witty as he is talented, Logan is one to watch, as he tracks his debut EP with producer Ben Pleasant (Lackhoney, Theo Kandel) this summer.
The adult finalists this year have a lot of local followers. Defending champs, Wheelhouse made it to the final round once more. After winning our 1st Battle of the Bands, the group opened for Everclear at the Pound Ridge Harvest Festival. Made up of five local residents: Rob Blake (bass), Matt Brotmann (vocals/keyboards), Jon Kolsky (drums), Evan Manes (guitar) and Dan Sullivan (guitar/vocals), Wheelhouse has been playing together for the last four years. When not busy with their ‘day’ jobs they’re often seen playing throughout the area including at the Pound Ridge Partnership’s Food Truck Fridays and Northstar in Pound Ridge. Emerging from COVID has been an opportunity for them to dust off some old favorites and learn some new tunes as well. “We’re really looking forward to playing out and seeing some friends we haven’t seen in a while.” they said.
Turning up the heat on this live battle is Pound Ridge resident Alex Cano. Having grown up in Vista it is no surprise that his bandmates are also local, among them three John Jay grads. Alex’s sound comes from a wide array of influence, described as a mix of Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, Jason Bell and Johnny Cash. With his touring band and as a solo acoustic performer, he has been on the stage at many Westchester County venues and festivals, including Pleasantville Music Festival (2019), Tarrytown Music Hall, Garcia’s, The Heights at Brother Vic’s and even our own local Northstar restaurant. He is currently doing a Northeast tour and filming a documentary series, Craft Culture Tour, at local breweries and other craft businesses to showcase the local & craft artisans as we emerge out of the pandemic.
