Lets start this month with a couple stray singles from new projects: The Champagne Poneys first single “My Lover Is A Good Man” (on local Misery Mother Records) is classic country, three part harmony that fans of the Dolly/Emmylou/Rondstadt Trio record will love, and the humorously named Rattlesnake Rectum dropped a delightfully melodic synth-pop track “Apollonius Identity” recorded in the woods of Stone Ridge. Claudia Bruce, known for her deep theater roots and 50 years co-directing the esteemed Time and Space Limited theater in Hudson, released a collection of poetry set to piano and ukelele i sit in my room … with most lyrics written by her longtime partner at TSL Linda Mussmann.

Elsewhere, Kingston-based Lea Bertucci continues her prolific run of recent releases, with new project Bow And Arrow with classical guitarist Michael Meharie. On a similar freak-folky note, Woodstock’s Komarov sent in a really excellent 2025 release Komarov’s Return, while longtime explorer of sounds Matthew O’Neill just dropped the beautifully immersive Through To Us with layers of field recordings, feedback, and distant chants, on his indigenous-music-focused label Panther Mountain. Similarly entracing, Hudson’s saltprine sent in their downtempo EP Sprakers, which is also built on samples of rural life, such an Auctioneer from Canajoharie, NY in “One Money”. Newburgh’s The Spookfish sent in their lo-fi minimal electronic 2026 split release, but I’ve got mention this wacky video game Bear In The Snow they created to accompany their 2023 release of the same name!

On the indie rock front, Gardiner’s Aubrey Haddard for years has been slowly incorporating more sonic and melodic experimentation to a foundation of neo-soul, and the results on the newest Drift Theory EP are fantastic. Woodstock’s Your Favorite Person just dropped LP#2 with Mutate Or Die, excellent slacker rock vibes, while Kingston based Meg Lui has dropped her Sufjan-produced full-length Instant Validation on Asthmatic Kitty Records after trickling out excellent tracks all year long. Poughkeepsie is the debut full length from retired ironworker Jon Lock, a playful run through Brill-Building-cum-early-Rock modes and styles, with Jon playing all instruments. 

-Mike Amari of Chosen Family Presents

Local Waves airs every Thursday at 10AM and Friday at 8PM. All local artists are encouraged to submit their music to be added to this ever growing library. Email music@wgxc.org with ‘‘Local Waves’ in subject, mp3s (320kps) or Bandcamp download codes are preferred.