Submissions this month included the very cool and vibey new tracks from Newburgh based Hudson Lorde (fans of Jeff Parker / Tortoise check this out), slacker-tinged indie rock from Kingston’s James Kwapisz (formerly of Grampfather), and Poughkeepsie’s Handcastle who is dropping their first track later this week called “Plastic Heart” which is a bit like Tim Buckley singing over Dirty Three about microplastics. Released in 2025, Kingston indie lo-fi outfit $500 sent in their very excellent debut Twelve Eyes, which has a sort of classic college radio sound.

A number of well established local acts are ramping up for exciting album releases this year. Kingston based indie-pop songwriter Al Olender is releasing her long awaited 2nd album The Worrier in February, and just dropped the 3rd lead-in single “Welcome To The Show" (aptly named as she has become known for her ‘Alentine’s’ Day performances at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, happeing release day 2/13). Local fav Ben Seretan is teaming up with fellow sonic scuba diver John Thayer for a dreamy duo album collab Sunbeam of No Illusion out in March, first single "Watermelon Well” is as gentle as melting snow. And Catskill’s Nate Henricks released two new tracks in January, "Dramaturgy" is available to download for the low low price of $1,000. Times are tough.

And, I’d be remiss if I didnt mention that we have a very special Local Waves In Conversation live taping 2/26 at Avalon Lounge in Catskill (7PM) with WGXC/Wave Farm co-founder Galen Joseph-Hunter as part of the town-wide 15th Anniversary of WGXC celebration!

-Mike Amari of Chosen Family Presents

Local Waves airs every Friday at 8PM. All local artists are encouraged to send your music into to be added to this ever growing library. Send to music@wgxc.org with ‘‘Local Waves’ in subject, mp3s (320kps) or Bandcamp download codes are preferred!