Description
Church of Betty
New York City’s long-running progressive world chamber rock ensemble, Church of Betty fuses American pop with Indian classical music in a sound that defies easy categorization. Led by singer/sitar player Chris Rael since 1988, the band features rock instruments, sitar, bassoon, strings, and soaring vocal harmonies. Praised as “brilliant” by Billboard and “irresistible” by The New York Times, Church of Betty has been a fixture of NYC’s downtown experimental scene for over three decades, creating what the Village Voice calls a masterful blend of rock and Indian music.
The Mommyheads
Brooklyn indie-pop legends The Mommyheads have been crafting eclectic, whimsical pop since 1987. Known for their stylistic blend of power pop, new wave, art rock, and prog, the band developed a devoted cult following through extensive touring in the 1990s. They reformed in 2008 and have continued to release critically acclaimed albums that showcase their sophisticated musicality wrapped in accessible, catchy songwriting. With 17 albums to their name, The Mommyheads remain an indie rock treasure.
Very Pleasant Neighbor
Very Pleasant Neighbor emerged from NYC in the late 1980s with a sound that was noisy, fast, surreal, and utterly ridiculous. Active from approximately 1988-1993, the band featured Gideon Kendall on lead vocals and “burger organ,” Austin Hughes on lead guitar, and an experimental arsenal that included banjo, violin, bass, drums, and unconventional instruments like kettles, pans, and rotary sawblades. Their recordings, originally released on Douglas Wolk’s Dark Beloved Cloud label, capture a band that was unafraid to be chaotic and inventive, creating a uniquely theatrical and sonically adventurous brand of experimental rock.
