Benny Mikula hails from Connecticut and has made his own space around New England through his soul-touching lyricism and compelling live performances. Whether he is solo acoustic or accompanied by a full band, the electricity and energy are beyond doubt. His charisma, inviting smile, and dedicated passion shine through every time he steps onto the stage. Benny is the frontman and chief songwriter for the Bridgeport, CT-based The Alpaca Gnomes.He will be unveiling his debut solo album “Again & Again”, recorded at Dirt Floor Studios in Haddam, CT. These songs were first debuted with a full band at PCMH during a set in 2022 but now this album get its proper release.The show will begin with performances by Riley Cotton, Christopher Cavaliere and Erik Rabasca followed by a solo set by Benny as well as a full band set.Riley Cotton is a Connecticut-based folk singer/songwriter...
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Benny Mikula hails from Connecticut and has made his own space around New England through his soul-touching lyricism and compelling live performances. Whether he is solo acoustic or accompanied by a full band, the electricity and energy are beyond doubt. His charisma, inviting smile, and dedicated passion shine through every time he steps onto the stage. Benny is the frontman and chief songwriter for the Bridgeport, CT-based The Alpaca Gnomes.He will be unveiling his debut solo album “Again & Again”, recorded at Dirt Floor Studios in Haddam, CT. These songs were first debuted with a full band at PCMH during a set in 2022 but now this album get its proper release.The show will begin with performances by Riley Cotton, Christopher Cavaliere and Erik Rabasca followed by a solo set by Benny as well as a full band set.Riley Cotton is a Connecticut-based folk singer/songwriter. Cotton has been described as “…an old-school type of songwriter whose songs and performance are able to cross space and time to touch that part of your brain where love, loss, happiness, and longing all co-exist” (Chip McCabe, The Dad Metal Blog). While growing up in Texas, much of her musical taste was shaped by the voices of the women of country music who so boldly embraced the power of their belt and divine femininity in the face of an industry that did not embrace them. When writing her own music, Riley aspires to share her lived experiences, take a stance on the issues that compel her, and utilize the masterful story telling mechanisms so prevalent in the music she grew up on. Upon the release of her debut album, Cotton has been nominated for a New England Music Award: 2023 Rising Star Connecticut, charted at the #34 slot on FAI Folk Radio for the month of September 2022, and featured in Connecticut Magazine’s Fall Arts issue. Christopher Cavaliere is a multifaceted musician hailing from Bridgeport, Connecticut. His artistic journey is marked by a rich tapestry of musical styles, forming collages that resonate with diversity and creativity. As a singer-songwriter, Cavaliere’s compositions are a testament to his ability to blend genres into a harmonious whole.His performances are known for their engaging presence, supporting national acts such as Marc Ribot, Kaki King, The Stepkids, and Toubab Krewe, among others. Cavaliere’s work extends beyond the stage as he immerses himself in the process of crafting songs that reflect his broad musical influences.With his latest album, “Big Wheel,” Cavaliere showcases his prowess as a solo artist. The album is a collection of songs that are both intelligent and empathetic, highlighting his skills in songwriting, production, and performance. Each track on “Big Wheel” is a unique exploration of sound and emotion, from the country-fried strut of “Thinkin’ Out Loud” to the intimate indie vibes of “Don’t Hide Your Pretty Face.” The album culminates in the intricate acoustic guitar work of “Souvenir in a Drawer,” proving Cavaliere’s adeptness as a musician.Cavaliere’s presence in the music scene is not limited to his solo work. HIs current music projects include band Symphonic Bodega and multi media group DaDA Mr. As a recording artist he has been featured in national (AlARM Press, Guitar Player Magazine) and local press (Hartford Courant,Fairfield County Weekly’s Best Instrumentalist). Erik Rabasca is a recording and performing artist, producer and founder of the independent label, Highest Frequency Records. He currently leads or co-leads a variety of projects including Light Warriors, Ecstatica, Lions Gate, Human Tribes Collective, among other one-off projects. A musical chameleon with a wide range of performing experiences, Rabasca plays a fusion of styles as an acoustic soloist from folk, indie and jazz to reggae, soul and country. His lyrics and songwriting often blend these multiple styles and Rabasca has been compared to legends Dylan, Marley, Simon and more while having found his own unique sound that bridges generations. “Like Dylan…Rabasca doesn’t sing from a soapbox, but rather from the same even ground on which we all stand. His lyrics are astute observations brought pleasantly into the light, showing them for what they are and asking others to see what he saw.” (Via indie blog, divideandconquermusic.com) He has toured the country and performed internationally (Ethiopia, Jamaica, Canada, Thailand). His band Light Warriors was selected by multiple-Grammy winner Jon Batiste to open Batiste’s appearance at Stamford CT’s Alive At Five concert series and opened for Grammy winner Mike Farris (Screaming Cheetah Wheelies). Rabasca has collaborated and toured with reggae legend Mad Professor and shared the stage with notable reggae artists Sugar Minott, Culture, Easy Star All Stars, Grammy winners SOJA, among many other regional acts at clubs and festivals throughout the 00s.$15 Advance // $20 Day of
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