A live audience at the Battle of the Bands performance on June 6th selected the opening acts for Pound Ridge Harvest Festival. The performance took place at the Pound Ridge Partnership’s annual beautification and community event – Pound Ridge Proud Day. Two finalists from each category were selected to perform, and compete to perform as an opening band at our annual Pound Ridge Harvest Festival. Winners were selected by audience participation.
This year the young adult finalists competition resulted in the selection of two bands. 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 and also selected was 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 competition resulted in the selection of Pound Ridge resident Alex Cano who turned up the heat on this live battle. 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.
