Turtle Bridge band members Riley Chapman, Caleb Kaufman, and Julie Saito  

 

Battle of the Bands Benefit

 

BY ANNETTE MCLOUGHLIN

 

For the second year in a row, the Rye High and Middle School parent organizations are combining their fundraising efforts to put on a single, roof-raising rock concert and dance party featuring the sounds of local bands The M62s and Hu$h Money. This year’s gig will take the whole, home-grown band theme up a notch by also including opening performances by the youthful sounds of Turtle Bridge and Audio Circle, both RHS student bands.

 

The three-year-old M62s, like many a band before them, was conceived “after a few too many beers”, according to the band’s spokesperson. While the members are all Rye residents and collectively boast many a Garnet offspring, this band of rockers is a bit more international in its origins. They hail from the UK, Ireland and France, the exception being their newest member, Holly O’Neill Melville (nee Divine), who resides about a mile from her childhood home here.

 

Simon Bradley (vocals) and Angus Scott (guitar), the Mick and Keith if you will, were later joined by Mark McCarthy (drums), Francis Verdier (bass), and Jim Kuster (keyboard). Ms. O’Neill Melville, a chantress in the NY piano bar scene, joined the band last fall. The band’s name is a call-out to their across-the-pond roots. “It comes from a highway in the north of England, which connects some of the greatest music cities — Liverpool and Manchester,” explained the founding English members. The band describes their style as “indie rock from both sides of The Pond” and they play covers of bands such as U2, Oasis, The Killers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Clash, and Coldplay. Of their upcoming fun-raising gig they said, “All of the band members are really excited to be supporting this event in front of so many of our friends.”

 

Hu$h Money not only has deep roots in Rye, but close connections to the Rye schools. Band members include Autumn Terrill and Connell Boyle (vocals, exotic percussion), Eric Lane (saxophone), Evan Molho (guitar), Steve Roseberry (drums), Onur Tuncer (bass), and Ed Boyle (keys). Of the seven members, Terrill, Lane, Roseberry, Tuncer, and Boyle live in Rye and it should be noted that Boyle is the husband of Rye City School Board President Jennifer Boyle. Among the five of them, they have 13 little rockers in the Rye public schools. Both Lane and Tuncer graduated from Rye High and cut their musical teeth in the school jazz band.

 

According to a recent article in Rolling Stone, “Hu$h Money rolls out a high-energy mash-up of rock, soul, funk, and jazz. They are at their best when they cross genres; connect songs that were composed decades apart; and get people moving. In a word, Hu$h Money is groovalicious.”

 

The band said, “While it is always a blast for us to play live music, it is extra special when we can do it to support the kids. Their school experiences are really enhanced by the contributions of the Parent Organizations, and this event is their primary source of funds.”

 

 

Turtle Bridge got its name from a bridge the group of friends have hung out at for years, where, as you might have guessed, one can spot the occasional turtle. The budding ensemble is composed of Riley Chapman (drums), Julie Saito (guitar and vocals), and Caleb Kaufman (bass guitar). According to the band’s spokesperson, “A town-wide tour is imminent, as is a big recording contract.”

 

Noah Kossowsky (vocalist), Issei Matsumoto (guitarist), Gregory Lodato (drummer), and Nic Kierstead (bassist) make up the equally talented and up-and-coming Audio Circle, which debuted last fall. The band, which plays various rock genres, says they are humbled by the opportunity to play the legendary RHS/RMS concert. “It means a lot to help the Rye schools. We are honored and proud to have been invited to play at this event and thankful to have this chance to share our music.” Issei and Greg, who attend Rye schools, are thrilled to be representing their school at this event.

 

The Battle of the Bands will take place Friday, January 24 at Coveleigh Club. This is going to be an epic night of rock and roll. To buy tickets or donate to the schools’ parent organizations, go to https://one.bidpal.net/rmsrhssocial2020/welcome or email Staci Ramachandran (stacirama@yahoo.com), Stefanie Fu (stefanie.fu@gmail.com), or Heather Cabot Khemlani (cabotventures@gmail.com).