The Folk Collective: Annual Pride Month Show
- The Folk Collective
Tickets will be on sale to the public 5/1 at noon. On sale to all Passim members 4/24 at noon. On sale to All Access Passim members 4/17 at noon.
Music has forever been an avenue through which communities gather, grow, and shape their identities. It’s a common denominator; a tool used to relate to each other and to the world around us. For queer and trans individuals, finding musical community with others that accept them as they are can be life-changing and even life-saving.
On June 21st, Maddy Simpson (in partnership with Club Passim and the Folk Collective) will present six queer & trans acts in a night of in-the-round style performances. The night will feature original and traditional music by Sweet Petunia, June Isenhart, CJ Redmouth, Almira Ara, ALMA VATYA, and Jessye Desilva.
As we celebrate Pride together, remember the importance of acceptance, equity, and respect for all.
We Are Passim! To learn more about The Folk Collective, visit passim.org/folkcollective.
Sweet Petunia
- Alt Folk
Sweet Petunia, composed of Mairead Guy and Maddy Simpson, are an alt folk duo based in Boston. Over the years, the duo have grown into their own as both powerful songwriters and harmonizers as well as lightning quick players, beginning every set with explosive double banjo action. Unapologetically queer and unafraid to get loud and angry, they craft music that is informed just as much by their contemporaries in Boston’s punk & DIY scene as it is steeped in rich folk tradition.
Alma Vatya
- Blues
- Folk
Alma Vatya is a twenty-one-year-old guitarist, singer, and banjo player who performs American vernacular music inspired and informed by a lifelong exploration of pre-war country blues, ballads, and spirituals. ALMA grew up in the high desert of Bisbee, Arizona. Her love for country blues began when a neighbor gave her a small handmade fretless banjo along with cassettes of Mance Lipscomb and Mississippi Fred McDowell. During formative travels to Mississippi, she learned the Bentonian blues style from Jimmy “Duck” Holmes at his Blue Front Cafe, and the trance blues of Robert Belfour in Clarksdale juke joints. Her polyrhythmic guitar and banjo stylings and nuanced vocals have been honed through hundreds of performances to national and international audiences.
Almira Ara
- R&B
- Rock
- Singer/Songwriter
Almira Ara is a captivating singer-songwriter whose music seamlessly blends folk traditions with contemporary storytelling. Known for their captivating voice and evocative lyrics, they draw inspiration from their heritage and personal journey to create songs that resonate across generations.
Jessye DeSilva
- Folk Rock
- Singer/Songwriter
Jessye DeSilva seamlessly blends theatrical pop elements with traditional folk and roots music to form her piano-driven alt-americana sound. She infuses hope into songs about religious alienation, mental health struggles, and societal injustice to create a uniquely queer and unholy ruckus. Jessye’s latest album Renovations (July 2023) follows her ‘70s-rock-influenced 2022 release Landscapes, which earned them a nomination for Americana Artist of the Year at the 2022 Boston Music Awards. No Depression says “Comparisons to Elton John and Brandi Carlile are easy — DeSilva clearly takes a page from these idols, anchoring [her] songs in pop melody juggernauts, gauzy textures, and vocal bravado.” American Songwriter has said Jessye’s “catalog doesn’t skimp on razor-sharp lyrics, paired frequently with an almost ethereal vocal,” and Nashville Scene named her a 2023 Artist To Watch, saying “DeSilva could inject new life into a genre that could definitely use a little more pretzel logic.”
C.J. Red Mouth
- Indie Folk
Raised musically in a corner of Boston’s DIY music scene, C.J. Red Mouth is a singer-songwriter who makes folk music to tell herself the truths she needs to hear. Her raw, torrential performances are marked by dynamic vocals and blooming instrumental climaxes, inspired by artists like Adrianne Lenker and Mitski.
June Isenhart
- Alt Folk
June Isenhart is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer based in Somerville. She also performs in the band Miss Bones.
