Sahara 4 are an ambient Americana dream pop band influenced by artists such as Wilco, Bon Iver, Bob Dylan, and Mojave 3. They are an imaginary band with the same members as local shoegaze band Head Sound. Their folky yet sophisticated vocal melodies seem to float atop the twangy, hypnotic instrumentation carrying them. Lyrics of love, loss, longing, tractors, and beer offer hope among suffering, peace within sorrow, joy beyond pain. 

Castro and the Fidelities, our trio, came into existence in 2013.  Peter Taormina (Guitar/Vocals), Bill Cormier (Bass/Backing Vocals), and Dave Tamarkin (Drums) decided to experiment with some of Peter’s original compositions and, in general, to keep their musical relationship moving forward.  After the sudden breakup of the band the three were recording and gigging with - Ray Murray and the Bomb Squad - it was a seamless evolution.  All three musicians are veterans - Peter and Bill have played together for more than 50 years in various bluegrass, rock and rockabilly settings.  Dave joined RMBS in 2011 just after we recorded the album RMBS which was getting some radio attention and landing us gigs in mid-sized music venues.  

All three members have had extensive musical experiences over many years. Dave has played with members of the Dark Star Orchestra and in the Long Island based band The Zen Tricksters, Bill has sat in with Richard Thompson and plays regularly with many Capital region favorites - from the Luster Kings to Half Step.  Peter experienced a short residency with Aaron Copeland while earning his music degree at Crane school of Music (percussion) - as well as many years as guitarist, Mandolin player and drummer  for the Parlor Boys, Mooncat, RMBS and a variety of folk artists stemming from Peter and Bill’s early association with Caffe Lena and the robust music scene there. 

Our intention is to connect with our audiences, to share our love for music - and to genuinely have fun.  In addition to original compositions, we play a blend of styles and genres - from Frank Zappa to Dave Brubeck, from Fairport Convention to Van Morrison, and of course, lots of Grateful Dead and traditional music. 

With roots stemming from music school and bluegrass jams around the upstate New York capital region, founding members Brendan Donovan (mandolin), and Tim Roden (guitar) started the Narrow North adventure in the fall of 2018 and quickly realized there was a musical connection to be harvested. With Brendan's vast knowledge and almost effortless skill of vocal and harmonic sense, displaying so beautifully through his tenor voice and matching style and tone of his mandolin playing, and Tim's exquisite "in the pocket" guitar techniques, unique but smooth baritone voice, and a soul that transcends through writing, the two mashed almost seamlessly. Both being able to build off each other, to truly create something greater than the sum of the interior parts. 

Following 2019 brought a new addition on the upright bass, Mr. Mike Jenkins, a staple in the local swing, jazz, and roots scenes around the capitol region over the last several years. He truly has the music in his blood, swinging hard with solid rhythm, a class act and voice on and off the stage, and a writer in disguise. We have been truly blessed and excited with the growing potential we have heard, and look forward to experiencing and sharing its evolution.The acoustic trio brings together a diverse experience of Americana Roots, blues, folk, and jazz, encompassing soulful harmonies, exciting leads, and a deep soul that unites the band for a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Narrow North was honored to perform on the Grass Roots Stage for 2021, 2022 and 2023 Fresh Grass Music festivals at Mass MoCA!

Narrow North released their first EP, Abanakee, in the spring of 2022, and we cant wait to start working on the next one soon. We play music for the simple joy and escape of time, and all we can hope is to spread a little of that energy to you.

TV Doctors are an experimental instrumental trio from Upstate NY. We are trained professionals here to treat your musical boredom, and its unfortunate side effects. We specialize in psychedelic rock, funk, soul, dub, beats, and noises.

Flood Road hails from upstate New York and plays a unique blend of hard-driving Americana "roots" music. The group features the lyrics of J. Peter Yakel (guitar/vocals), framed by instrumentalists Chris Schultz (banjo/vocals), Bruce Barker (guitar) and Pete Murphy (bass/vocals). The band enjoys performing original and classic compositions of bluegrass, rock, folk and country blues. Their performances are fast-paced, easy to listen to, and guaranteed to get your feet stompin!!

There's nothing more special than bringing  "Troupe Sings Taylor” to life with an all-Taylor Swift concert. From rehearsals to the final performance, every moment has been gorgeous, glittering, and fun. The Troupe invites you to their final show of the tour at Wolf Hollow in Schenectady. Bring the family out for a fun-for-all afternoon out, and don't forget to grab a friendship bracelet!

Lunch service by Two For The Road

Big Radio has been covering rock and pop hits in the Capital Region for many years!

The name, Big Radio, signifies that the music we play is heard regularly on your radio; and/or in today’s world on many pop/rock streaming services.  And the music is wide-ranging, covering songs from diverse groups such as Fine Young Cannibals, Led Zeppelin, Coldplay, Tears for Fears, Warren Zevon, Stephen Stills, and many others. With a driving rhythm and quality guitar/keys and vocals, you will enjoy the music and could even find yourself on the dance floor!

An original eight-piece rock & soul ensemble hailing from upstate New York quickly making a name for themselves in the Capital Region. With a sound built upon a strong foundation of drum and bass, classic organ, blistering vocals, and an unshakeable horn section, the band continues to thrill audiences with high energy performances and a modern interpretation of soulful music steeped in early R&B, funk and blues.

Releasing their inaugural EP, "The Tree House Sessions," in 2023, Tops of Trees hit the airwaves with WEXT, WEQX, and Unsigned 518. Their compelling songwriting resonated deeply with listeners, securing Spot #14 on the WEXT local songs of the year, also earning them a 2024 Capital Region Thomas Edison Award (Eddie)nomination for Jam Band of The Year.

Featured on WTNE Channel 10, Tops of Trees have been showcased at some of the best locations in the Capital Region including The Cohoes Music Hall, Putnam Place, Jive Hive Live and Saratoga Springs New Year’s Eve Festival while sharing the stage with Suke Cerulo Band, The Robert Randolph Band, Sqwerv and Joan Osborne.

Climb up to the highest branch to enjoy the view.

Rusticator is an acoustic band with an Americana spirit. Stripped back drums and an upright bass lend a woody backbeat, while steady acoustic guitar supports jazz-inflected fiddle playing and the group’s three-part harmonies. Their eclectic yet accessible live sets include everything from the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan to Ray Charles and Van Morrison alongside their well-crafted original songs.

The Lane Brothers, a quartet which features acoustic guitar, mandolin, electric bass and percussion, play a large variety of covers and originals that range from bluegrass to bebop. The brothers (Chris Lane on guitar and Ben Lane on mandolin) have been playing in and around the Albany, NY area for over decade with an eclectic song list of traditional bluegrass, jazz, and soul.  With the addition of Bill Decker and Sandy Hinkel (life partners and longtime leaders of the Albany-based Bear Bones Project), The Lane Brothers have expanded their performances to include extended improvisation while retaining the traditional vocal harmonies and technical arrangements the duo has always employed.  The band plays familiar tunes from The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Old & In The Way, Garcia/Grisman, Thelonious Monk, Jon Batiste and many more!

Monkey and the Crowbar plays Americana music throughout the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. Their playlist includes originals and favorites from The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, John Prine, The Band, and many more.

Fronted by Todd Herringshaw (guitar, vocals), band members Tree Casullo (percussion, vocals), Sharon Charles (upright bass) and Joe Sinchak (mandolin, fiddle, vocals) give an acoustic spin to tunes we all know and love.  Their lively show entertains music lovers of all ages, all young at heart for sure.

Thom Powers & Friends brings their folk pop sound of originals and their take on a wide range of covers. Mixing Jack Johnson guitar grooves with accompanying multi-instrumentalist bandmates they provide a full band sound. Coming off their recent release of their first full-length album Rockin’ Soul they are excited to share their music.

Joe Bodden and a revolving cast of upstate NYs best musicians playing a wide variety of classic rock.

Big Fez returns to Wolf Hollow for a summer beach party! Wear your best beach attire and come dance the night away under the stars with upstate NY’s premier surf rock band! Dinner service by Monte’s Concessions.

“ Truck-driving Adirondack folk musician, Josh Clevenstine, follows in the footsteps of his musical mentors, Chris Shaw and Dan Berggren. A proud “tradition-bearer,” Josh is passionate about applying his own style to old songs and traditions and passing them along to the next generation. His music—propelled by crosspicking guitar reminiscent of the great Johnny Cash—is marked by honest lyrics drawn from his own experiences. Harlan Howard famously described country music as “3 chords and the truth,” and Josh’s powerful songs are a testament to the magic inherent in that particular formula.”

Embe Esti is an intercontinental fusion band that incorporates grooves and sounds inspired by the African Diaspora and other global traditions.  

Based in the Capital Region of New York, Embe Esti has been seen performing at The Linda, The Star Theater at Cherry Valley Artworks, HVCC, The Jive Hive, Amsterdam Riverwalk, and for benefit concerts for Habitat for Humanity and Food Not Bombs. 

Drawing inspiration from the singer/songwriter movement of the ‘60’s and 70’s, Warren Sieme’s acoustic music celebrates American Contemporary folk music through both original compositions and interpretations of other artists’ songs.  From iconic modern songwriters to classic songs from the Great American Songbook as well as his take on traditional folk music, he presents a style that is unadorned and introspective, thoughtful and moving, sweet and melodious.

 Warren has played throughout the Capital Region, the Adirondacks the Berkshires and the Hudson Valley. Originally from Cooperstown, he and he currently lives outside Albany.

Live music with WHBC favorite Gabby Ellers!

Justin Friello is no stranger to the spotlight. Since 2005, he’s been performing professionally as a solo artist and as the lead in various bands in New York’s Capital Region and beyond. Live performance has always been his focus, though his collection of studio releases includes numerous EPs, LPs, singles, and even 10 holiday albums.

He’s played major upstate venues and festivals like Proctors Theatre, The Linda, Tulip Fest, WMHT, and Summernight. He’s opened for bands like Gin Blossoms, Village People, and Girl Talk. In 2016, Justin released his hybrid EP/Short Film, Jack & Jill, to a packed house, backed by a 8-piece ensemble. His most recent release is a live EP, recorded at the famous Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY. Listen on all streaming services.

Justin’s songwriting is “punchy, driving, rhythmically intricate and layered”, full of “honest language”, and “overflowing with diverse creative ideas”. Throughout his career, what has never changed is a commitment to expertly crafted, emotionally intense lyrics and intricate guitar playing.

Rusticator is an acoustic band with an Americana spirit. Stripped back drums and an upright bass lend a woody backbeat, while steady acoustic guitar supports jazz-inflected fiddle playing and the group’s three-part harmonies. Their eclectic yet accessible live sets include everything from the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan to Ray Charles and Van Morrison alongside their well-crafted original songs.

Upstate NY-based RHOSEWAY is the creative solo project from singer and songwriter Rob Fleming. Effectually layered dynamic and melodic droning, in the form of indie-alternative rock, with influences drawing from Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, to Soundgarden and Neil Young. Riding on 3 separate releases of dual-singles, the latest being the harmonious lush of 2022's COUNTRY SUNRISE, and up-tempo guitar flourishings of 2023's CLOAK & DAGGER. 

The Insolent Willies are an upstate New York-based acoustic roots-rock outfit known for its hip-shaking mix of quirky originals and unpredictable covers.

Red Haired Strangers live at WHBC. Country, blues and grass!

Playing a fun variety of folk/traditional/county/rock/and Irish music!

Bringing Celtic culture together with jam-band stylings is local band Kilashandra. Releasing their record, Live at the Parting Glass, the band – Mark Emanatian on guitar and vocals; Chris Gil on guitar and vocal; Eileen Markland on violin, whistle, and vocals; Tom Dolan on bass and bouzouki – expertly showcase their shared love of Irish music, eclecticism, and technical prowess.

Irish-Americans John Haggerty and Mike DeAngelis have been performing Irish music together since 1979. In 2013, they founded their newest band, GET UP JACK, a culmination of nearly four decades of musical performances together and with other well-known bands, playing in the US and Ireland. John and Mike have had the distinct pleasure of sharing the festival stages with their original musical inspirations: the Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, and The Wolftones, as well as their more contemporary influences: The Saw Doctors and Great Big Sea. Drawing from classic Irish folk sound, GET UP JACK merges todays high energy Irish music with impressive vocal harmony and unexpected musical talent. GET UP JACK is at home playing in a neighborhood pint-swinging pub or performing on a festival stage to a dancing crowd of thousands - and every venue in-between. Old and young alike enjoy the moving beat or mournful ballad from these seasoned showmen, who have also shared the same festival stages with Gaelic Storm, Eileen Ivers, Solas, Black 47 and The Young Dubliners, to name a few.

GET UP JACK has released three albums that have been critically-acclaimed and award winning. Their live album, Alive and Well, Volume 1 was named 2015 "Album of the Year" by Celtic Radio, with their version of The Spanish Lady being voted Traditional Song of the Year.

We've made it a tradition to celebrate "Un-St. Patrick's Day" here at WHBC with the area's premier Irish Band, Get Up Jack! Though we're as far on the calendar as you can get from St. Patrick's Day, we'll celebrate in style with Campout Stout flowing at a discount all night long! Come early and grab a bite to eat from our friends at Buzzard's Bay BBQ and get a spot to enjoy the show!

Tickets are $12 in advance and can be purchased in the taproom or online.

Get Tickets Here