Acclaimed bombshell songstress Julia Haltigan came up on the Lower East Side of New York City when it oozed a heady mix of danger, possibility and art. She made meaning of the painful complexities of her parents’ split, her father’s incarceration, and a freewheeling life of parties and a revolving cast of street characters.
 
Julia emerged from it all a sensitive badass who rides vintage Triumph motorcycles and sings primal rock n’ roll with smoldering expressivity. Julia’s signature artistry evokes Brigitte Bardot, Marianne Faithfull, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, and Lou Reed.
 
Her latest EP, Hot Tears, is a masterful collection, teeming with themes of heartache, images of broken bones, car chases, and nostalgia. Stunners in this set include the gritty swagger of the T. Rex-like “Money,” the 1960s James Bond ballad-esque “Burning Bridges & Breaking Hearts,” and the sleek and smoky “How To Make A Broken Heart,” co-written with songwriting legend Mike Scott of The Waterboys. Julia and her band (Steve Williams, Paul Frazier & Teddy Kumpel) opted to self-produce and the results are powerfully dynamic.
 
Julia has performed as a part of the Varvatos Music Series, filling the store over capacity leaving a line around the block, and live on tastemaking radio personality Vin Scelsa’s show Idiot’s Delight. She’s also shared the stage with such venerated names as Judy Collins, Steve Earle, Norah Jones, Montgomery Gentry, Rhett Miller, Nicole Atkins, and Holly Miranda, among others.
 
Outside of her solo career, she moonlights as the slinky Jessica Rabbit inspired jazz crooner ‘Vivian Fairchild’ in the off-Broadway hit “Sleep No More.” She also performs in the fizzy pop band The Singles, alongside her buddies Scarlett Johansson, Kendra Morris and Holly Miranda. When not onstage or in the studio, Julia’s straddling a 1970 Triumph Bonneville.
 
“Julia Haltigan’s timeless voice, look, and persona make her something of a period piece. Her effervescent performances are also known to entrance entire crowds. Haltigan’s entire life is music: When she’s not singing, she can be found attending another show. Whether she’s crooning about motorcycles, old flames, or mermaid’s tails, Haltigan’s jazzy, sixties sound and Spanish rhythms shine through.” -Interview Magazine
 
“There’s a singular, sexy sound emanating from the concert halls of New York’s East Village and Lower East Side. The sultry, seductive music comes from Julia Haltigan, a gorgeous singer-songwriter whose combination of country, jazz and blues into catchy, romantic ballads has put her at the top of my make out playlist.”-Glamour Magazine 

 
photo credit: Marc McAndrews
 
Julia Haltigan official site
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Hailing from the border of Mozambique, South African artist and musician, Xander Ferreira, formerly known as Gazelle, became one of South Africa’s most recognized musicians for his popular fusion of contemporary electronic sounds and traditional African inspirations. Known for his flamboyant stage persona and enigmatic performances, he performed in 17 countries around the globe. His musical journey has seen him collaborate with artists as diverse as Peaches to Findlay Brown and The Bloody Beetroots.
 
After successes in Europe and Africa Xander moved to New York after winning the green card lottery. During the past two years after relocating to New York, Xander teamed up with Steve Williams on drums (De La Soul, Sade, Digable Planets),  Paul Frazier on bass (David Byrne, Chic, Chaka Kahn, Arrested Development, Digable Planets ) and David Bailis on guitar (John Forte, Pimps of Joytime) to form a new group The True Tones to back up his solo self titled project.
 
The new sound is a fusion of influences such as Afrofunk, 60’s Pop, Soul and Psychedelic Rock with a layering of Electronic sound to bring new life to the inspirations.
 
Xander Ferreira on Noisey
Xander Ferreira on Facebook
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The MK Groove Orchestra is not your grandparents big band, the MKGO is equal parts rock band and jazz band, drawing upon all sounds and cultures that inspire them. Musical omnivores to say the least, depending on what night you see the group, you may be treated to a transcription of a B side from an obscure old school funk 45, the opening theme of a Bruce Lee film, a rendition of a classic recording by a cuban orchestra from the 50s or a classic rock anthem…most likely all of the above. The MKGO’s originals also have an equal sense of adventure and breadth, written with clarity and purpose and performed integrity, intensity and virtuosity. Imagine all this…wrapped in face melting guitars.
 
“Like waiting for the Sun Ra to rise.”
 
“Progressively Vintage.”
-Frank DeBlase – Rochester City News
 
MK Groove Orchestra official site