Each month we ask a member of the community to tell us what music they’ve been digging.
I run DCxPC Live, a DIY punk, hardcore, ska, and metal record label that releases live albums on vinyl. I also book two-to-three shows a month in the Hudson Valley, play in a band called the Marnsters, and write music reviews. With so much music in my life, narrowing down favorites can be tough. Since I moved here two years ago, some New York bands have really stood out to me. Meow Meow from New Paltz is one of them. They fuse classic rock, folk, punk, and emo in a way that defies easy categorization. Their single “Trampled Flowers,” released on the 25th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, hooked me with its poignant lyrics and distinct sax tones—I’ve had it on constant repeat.
I’m also consistently blasting Lake Lanier from New York City. An all-Black, female-fronted hardcore band with an unreal stage presence. They played my first Sunday matinee at Snapper Magee’s and absolutely killed it. They have one streaming song, “Resistance,” and it’s a banger. Even better are the YouTube videos of them playing it live, especially the one where the police shut them down. As I’m writing this, I’m vibing to Ben Basile’s “Mountain Road,” the first single off
Benergy, dropping this spring. It’s a rad mix of rocksteady, reggae, and jazz. I’m stoked to catch his album release show at Poughkeepsie’s Reason and Ruckus in June. The Hudson Valley scene is so vibrant. Since relocating here from Florida, I’ve recorded and released titles by several local bands (the Snorts, Shark Noises) with more coming (RBNX, Trouble Bound, Negative Raxx, and more). I’m stoked to keep working with dope bands from this area.
This article appears in April 2025.
