Songwriter, Peter Sando came of age in the 50s and 60s, a time when music was very diverse. Back when the Billboard top 40 included everything from country and R&B to novelty instrumental and foreign tunes, that time period has deeply influenced his musical career. His repertoire includes original country tunes, political songs as well as folk and rock. 

Ragu: A strong start

Peter’s first album, Gandalf, was recorded in the mid-sixties under the band Ragu, but still has a cult following today. At the time, Peter and his bandmates often played on the New York side of Greenwood Lake, where the drinking age was still 18 and where the clubs were hopping. They had wanted to play in Greenwich Village, but realized that cover songs just weren’t going to cut it. Peter began studying the craft of songwriting, and before long, Ragu got a contract with Capitol Records and recorded Gandalf, a psychedelic rock album. 

Influences include The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Steve Miller Band, to name a few. They were in good company in the Village alongside bands such as The Loving Spoonful, and Sly and the Family Stone. Peter calls this a very creative period for him and for music in general.

Creation of the Three-Minute-Dream

The concept of a three-minute dream (aka: a song that draws you in) is still something that attracts Peter to songwriting today. He records albums in his home studio, and some of his songs have been in film. He’s still influenced by his folk-rock and sixties-rock favorites, and also finds inspiration in contemporary songwriter Ron Sexton. 

He believes a personal understanding of what a song is about is what makes it powerful. His approach to writing is to get solid on a title or an idea, and let the lyrics flow/follow.

“My favorite part of playing is… the brand new child,” Peter said. “I get a thrill out of performing a new song when I finish it and record it.” 

Although he’s studied classical guitar and has been a rock-and-roll guitarist for many years, Peter finds guitar is basically the accompaniment to the melody and lyrics he writes. In addition to songwriting and playing guitar, Peter also sings and dabbles with the piano and harmonica. His daughter often accompanies him with background vocals in his recordings. 

Discover Peter at the market and beyond

At market this week, Peter will play both cover songs, and some of his originals (including something from his Gandalf album). Expect to hear sixties favorites by Tim Hardin, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, maybe a Beatles song or two.

Those looking to hear more of his originals, can check out his website to listen online, or come to his showcase at Noble Coffee Roasters near Goshen, NY this October where he will play all originals.

Discover Peter Sando and listen to his music online:

http://www.petersando.com

http://www.facebook.com/gandalf1969

http://petersando.bandcamp.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/peter-sando/id75746292#see-all/top-songs

We are thrilled that Ed Seifert will be at the WMFM this year! He’s known throughout West Milford from performing at local hot spots like Coyote Ridge and the New Weis Center. His music genre is friendly for all ages, taking inspiration from Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Elvis Costello. Ed’s band, Ed Seifert and the Stimulus Package features many local artists and one familiar face, Bernie Stapleton on the bass!

courtesy of www.kylehancharick.com

It’s always been about the music for Kyle Hancharick, a singer/songwriter from Warwick, New York. His passionate performances are punctuated by a crisp acoustic guitar and soaring tenor vocals. This is best shown in his 2018 EP “Breathe,” a four song project consisting only of acoustic guitar, bass and vocals. And that’s all that’s needed for this artist whose roots are planted in contemporary folk music.

Kyle began his musical journey young. His earliest influences were from the songs of John Denver and Bob Dylan. When he was 8, Kyle played live for the first time. It was at a Bob Dylan Festival at a local winery. With his 3/4-size guitar slung around his small torso and a harmonica holder around his neck, he took to the stage with about 100 people gathered. No one expected what they would hear. This sweet, shy little boy blew them away with his version of “Blowin’ in the Wind.” He gave the most memorable performance of the day.

As he grew up, Kyle’s influences diversified. He discovered Richard Shindell, David Wilcox and Ellis Paul, master storytellers who would have tremendous impacts on his work. He identified with the working class anthems of Bruce Springsteen. He reveres their musicianship, their poetry, and their stories.

Throughout all of this, Kyle has begun to make a name for himself in the folk music circle. He has performed on the Emerging Artists Showcase at the 2018 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and he has opened shows for the likes of Ellis Paul, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Lucy Kaplansky, and Red Molly. His upbeat love song, “How You Say Goodbye” was covered by Ellis Paul for his 2019 album “The Storyteller’s Suitcase.”
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Most recently, Kyle has begun work on his second full-length studio album, which is set to be released in 2023.
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Kyle takes in the world, processes it and turns it into song with his own special touch. He has a unique take on things, a view of the world others may not necessarily notice. He continues to grow as an artist, sharing his story and messages of love and peace.
Above all, though, it’s still about the music.

Marty Koppel is a singer/songwriter from Northern Jersey. He started playing back in his college days, playing in  front of an audience of 1300 people. Ever since then, he has been writing and playing in the Northern Jersey and New York area. Marty's CD, “Vernon Town'' has been critically acclaimed as one of the highlight releases of 2007.

Listen to “Vernon Town” and learn more about Marty and his music at https://www.reverbnation.com/martykoppel

Dani Zanoni grew up in a home that was always alive with music, and she started singing when she was a young girl. In elementary school, this morphed into voice lessons, and later, choirs and musicals. Then, during her sophomore year of high school, she got her first guitar and began songwriting. 

“When I was younger, I would write poetry and little songs in my head, but I never could really get them down, so having that guitar was awesome,” Dani said.

She continued to foster her love and knowledge of music in college, majoring in music industry and performance. She graduated from Ramapo College in 2019 and has been playing professionally ever since. 

DnA: More than good genes

DnA is a musical collaboration between Dani and longtime friend, Alex Kerssen. They met during high school while he played guitar in school shows. At the time they clicked, and have been playing together ever since. 

Alex graduated from William Paterson as a jazz pianist in music education. Depending on the gig, he will play either piano or guitar depending on the vibe and location.

“We love going to the West Milford Farmers Market since West Milford is our hometown, it’s always great to be playing back there,” Dani said.

Musical influences

Dani said she has been inspired by Sara Bareilles from the very start. Growing up, she also loved and admired Michelle Branch and Kelly Clarkson, particularly as she was the first American Idol winner. Following her journey really inspired Dani to start her own musical career. 

When it comes to cover music, DnA has well over one hundred songs in their repertoire, spanning everything from country to rock and pop. They have a spread of classics, but also today’s current favorites. They tend to focus on music that can really highlight Alex on guitar or piano. 

One of their favorites to play is a “cover of a cover” of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’,” redone in the style of John Mayer, and then spun again to reflect DnA’s unique style.

“We have been doing that [cover] from the start, and every time we play it I am obsessed with it,” Dani said.  

Other popular covers they love to play include “Valerie,” by Amy Weinhouse, “Crazy,” by Gnarls Barkley, “Sweet Child of Mine,” and “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. 

Dani’s original music is further influenced by current favorites, Julia Michaels and Sasha Sloan. Although DnA plays predominately cover songs, they will often throw in some of Dani’s originals, too. 

Dani’s passion for music

For Dani, music has always been her escape and her therapy. She found it a support when working through her feelings or anxiety, and her originals reflect the emotional process, and are inspired by real life experiences.

“Music was always the thing that always brought me back, and always the thing that calms me down and helps me feel okay,” Dani said. “My songwriting process was always about getting all those thoughts and emotions out. I want to write music knowing that at least one person can connect with it… and it’s the same with performing… to connect and feel like they’re not alone in the things they’re going through.”

What Dani loves most about music is when someone walks up to her after a show and tells her that they really connected with her music. It means even more when the song was one of her originals. 

“There’s something about how music helps people connect,” Dani said. “You see [the audience’s] faces when they connect and are in the music with you…. There’s nothing I love more…. [than] knowing you can connect with people doing something you love so much.”

She’s taken this one step further by teaching the love of music to students with lessons at North Jersey Guitar. 

Discover more Dani

In 2017, Dani released her first album… a five song EP. This was followed by two other singles, including “Rabbit Hole,” an exploration in her genre and sound, a transformative process that helped Dani figure out who she is and where she wants to go as a musician.

“[With “Rabbit Hole,”] I got to dive into my creativity in all aspects, from the video to the promotion,” Dani said. “It set me off for where I want to place myself as an artist and keep working toward.”

Dani is in the process of releasing her second EP about living through your 20s in the 2020s, particularly regarding those internal feelings with the unrest in today’s world.

“It’s a super intimate album and I’m super excited to share that with everyone,” Dani said.

DnA will play the West Milford Farmers Market on Wednesday, September 14th from 3-6pm. Come on down and say hi, and visit her online to learn more:

Website: https://danizanoni.com

Lessons: https://www.northjerseyguitar.com/

To discover more on Dani, including links to her music, upcoming events and more, visit her linktree at: http://linktr.ee/danizanonimusic

Dani Zanoni has been performing in the West Milford area since she was a little girl. Her signature style is a blend of indie rock and pop that creates a contagious melody. She has recorded with famous producer Tony Black in NYC and released five different songs.

Guitarist and vocalist Marji Zintz plays everything from The American Songbook genre to blues, pop, folk and rock. She has written some of her own originals, and is sure to throw them in among fan favorites at her shows.

She may not look it, but Marji has been playing music professionally for 45 years. Like most musicians, she’s also worked other jobs in between her music gigs, particularly teaching and coaching… although she’s grateful that for the most part she has been able to play music almost exclusively.

Influences and early experiences

Marji has been influenced by artists such as Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Tom Waits and Billy Holiday.

Her first experience with music was listening to her father sing, and singing together with him and her sister as a young child. Later, she “adopted” an unused guitar her brother had been handed down.  She discovered a Peter, Paul and Mary songbook lying around the house and was surprised how easy it was to follow along with the chord diagrams. Then, she learned to play by ear. She got her first gig at a local bar when she was 18, and never stopped to look back.

That’s not to say Marji never had a day job. At some points she worked six days a week and performed six nights a week. However, she never let anything push music down as a priority.

“The most important thing to me was that my day job would not interfere with my ability to perform.” 

A turning point

One day, about fifteen years ago, Marji decided she would quit music altogether. Things had just gotten too difficult and it wasn’t fun anymore. Fortunately, the feeling didn’t last long. The experience, however, had taught her something important…. When she picked her guitar back up again, she only booked shows she loved, and she taught herself to enjoy every aspect of the experience: from booking, to moving equipment, to breaking the set down at the end of the night.

“There had to be a way where I wouldn’t feel that resistance to [playing], because I think that interferes with happiness, and I didn’t want to not feel happy playing,” Marji said. “I implemented some systems and when I came back to it, it was a much more pleasurable experience.”

She believes that the idea that money and happiness can’t coexist is a limiting belief. She admires Alberta Hunter, an American jazz and blues singer/songwriter who raised her family and had a successful career as a nurse before starting her 25 year long music career at the age of 65.

Connecting with the audience

Her favorite part of playing live shows is the connection she gets to share with her audience. Small venues in particular, provide that opportunity to get to know the audience members and talk to them after the show. In Marji’s opinion, it’s this connection that turns the act of playing music into a true art form.

“It’s that really beautiful connection where people really get [the music] and are really touched and moved. It gives me energy and it changes everything,” Marji said. 

Having the opportunity to speak with audience members is part of this experience. Her favorite venues are house concerts, as she really appreciates getting to connect with her audience in a more intimate way. In fact, Marji’s audience often provides her with fodder for new music.

Becoming Human

In addition to her solo work, Marji belongs to the band Becoming Human. They play original songs of observation, realization and transformation in the genres of world music, jazz and folk… but with an element of improvisation. Guitarist, Jim Kunkel and bassist, Mickey Kopchak, do most of the composing, but what Marji finds most unique about the trio is that each member has a beautiful and unique voice. There is no lead vocalist, she said, but instead they all back each other. 

“The material is so unique and so personal… Jim Kunkel, he writes this from a very spiritual perspective,” Marji said.

She mentioned one of their songs entitled, “The deeper meaning of ‘I am’,” and how it delves into personal spirituality, forging more of an experience than the creation of music alone. 

Marji will be playing solo at Market this week. Feel free to introduce yourself and say hi, and keep an ear out for an original tune or two, as well!

Visit Marji’s website to learn more about her music and how to find her or hire her for your next party or event at www.marjizintz.us

Singer and songwriter, Bob Nicholson has a passion for music… and as with all things in life, that passion is what fuels him. Although songwriting is where his heart is, he understands that covers are what opens the door to an audience. But he won’t forgo his joy of playing just to appeal to a crowd. 

“A musician has to be true to himself,” he said.

Expect to hear classic rock favorites from the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty this week when Bob plays at Market.

The why

It all began for Bob when he first saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. He called the experience “eye opening.” Seeing the King play helped him recognize that there were a lot of perks to playing music. Girls being the most obvious one.

“Sports were difficult [for me], but playing [music] sounded fun,” Bob said. “When you are a teenager, you’re attracted to the opposite sex, and being on the sports team was a way to get a date… I thought, there’s got to be a better way.”

These days, his favorite part of playing is seeing the thrill or satisfaction of his audience. Whereas the tip jar can be a good measure of that appreciation, he said seeking applause is like barking at the moon. 

“The appreciation is when they come up to you and let you know that … I inadvertently invoked a nice memory,” he added. “Play the song, hit a memory. “It’s like high school reunions but better.”

His influences

Growing up, Bob was surrounded by neighbors several years older than him, and as a result he was exposed to the great bands of the 50s. He said this music still has an influence on him today.

When asked what songs he likes to play he said, “All of them.”  However, he did mention a few favorites, such as, “We Can Work it Out,” by The Beatles, “My Back Pages,” by Bob Dylan and “Mandolin Wind,” by Rod Stewart… which he enjoys playing even if he doesn’t play mandolin.

“You need to be happy because you get to a certain age and you have a limited number of years. And I want to be happy and live the rest of my life being happy,” Bob said. “Music makes me happy. It’s better than any drug there is out there. The high you get from performing on stage, no drug can do that. I get stage fright. But once that first note rings, I’m fine.”

The venue

Bob enjoys playing at restaurants and wineries over bars and nightclubs…. He prefers the hours and the intimacy of the crowds. He appreciates that the volume, as with the farmers market, is kept at a level that allows people to continue their conversations, letting the music become more background noise rather than the main event. He’ll often play senior centers, as well, bringing back memories of the music the residents loved in their youth. 

Because Bob finds that having a band is similar to juggling several marriages at once (lots of personalities to coordinate), he is most likely to be found playing solo gigs, like he will be at Market this week. He will on occasion play duo with a female vocalist 

“Whatever the job calls for, I do,” Bob said. “If I can do it solo, I will. If they need a trio, I can call on people to do it.”  The important thing is that he gets to play. 

Beyond the guitar

In addition to his career as a professional musician, Bob volunteers in his spare time. He enjoys giving back to youth, and he mentors high school and college students in TV and film through a program on a local West Milford cable station, as well as giving yearly workshops through Passaic county. 

Although Bob admits he hasn’t enjoyed wild success in his music career, the wins and successes he has experienced is part of what makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s what I do and what I enjoy to do,” he said. “Some people have hobbies, bowling darts or organizations and that’s what works for them, and this works for me. “It’s more than a hobby. It’s a passion. We [smaller musicians] do the same things as the big guys do, we’re just not recognized. Same work, same effort, same model but on a smaller, more local scale.”

In addition to catching Bob at the Farmers Market, he plays at The Vreeland Store once every month or so on Thursday nights. Visit him on Facebook to catch his upcoming shows.

Dylan Marra is an American musician and songwriter hailing from New York State. As a solo artist and a member of many diverse musical projects, he has developed a versatile style of writing that often spans rock, pop, and blues genres.

He can be found covering rock and pop classics from the 60s, 70s, 90s and beyond and is greatly inspired by the emotion behind the simple lyrics and melodies of The Beatles’ “Let It Be” album. He also enjoys alternative 90s rock and contemporary indie bands like Waxahatchee. He’s also a songwriter and has composed a number of tracks that he pulls out when playing live.

Humble beginnings that kept him going

Although Dylan was always interested in music, when he was a pre-teen, his sister was gifted Nirvana Unplugged. The album inspired him to start learning to play. He started with piano lessons and classical music, but quickly shifted to guitar when he was 14. Shortly after that, he moved to Woodstock, NY where he not only had exposure to other professional musicians, but went to a school where he had the opportunity to play music every day. Although he only stayed in Woodstock for two years, when he left he brought the love of playing with him. 

Today, after a short time in a band in Boulder CO, Dylan is back on the east coast, and continues to write and play music on his own. He’ll always take the opportunity to play with others when it arises, though: whether at an open mic, or convincing his friends to create or jam with him. He mentioned being inspired by a friend that plays the trumpet, and hopes they’ll collaborate to create something together soon.

The best and the worst of songwriting

Dylan is continually inspired by everything from other musicians to life experiences, but taking a song from 80% complete to finished is a complex process that requires more than just inspiration and grit. The creative part, on the other hand, comes easy for him. It could be a melody that came from nowhere, or it could be the process of pulling together lyrics to create a verse, chorus and bridge. All of that makes the complexity of a song, and the emotion of the music is a motivating factor for Dylan. 

Pulling all those complex layers together into something that sounds great and delivers an emotional punch, on the other hand, requires a little something more. For Dylan, the hardest part of composing is actually finishing the song, although he enjoys the challenge it presents. In fact, surviving that difficult polishing period, and walking away with something he is excited to share with others might be his favorite part of composing.

“Some things just flow, but the polishing is not creative,” Dylan said. “You actually have to do something with it that may not be pleasing at first. But it has to be emotionally pleasing all the way through.”

What to expect at market

Dylan’s favorite part of playing is the emotion of the live experience. As a natural-born performer, he loves having the opportunity to bring that emotion to others in a way music has always done for him.

“It’s a very emotional thing for me in a positive way,” he said.

Expect to hear acoustic guitar and singing from Dylan at market this week. He often pulls out covers such as The Beatles’ “I’ve Got a Feeling” and “Give Back,” all the way to 90s favorites from Blind Melon and the Pixies, and beyond. He’ll also pepper in some originals. He hinted at the possibility of playing his bass guitar or ukelele… but no promises!

If you like what you hear, visit Dylan’s website for a chance to listen and download all of his originals completely for free. Knowing that people have heard and shared his music means more to him than offering downloads from behind a paywall. If you like his music, please share, too!

Visit Dylan’s website www.dylanmarra.com to learn more and to listen to his music for free.

Josie Webb is a pop and R&B singer with a passion for soul music. She sings across the NJ/NY area, and also writes her own music.

Mary Hubley, known as Maribyrd, is a singer/songwriter, born and raised in Northern NJ. Her voice has been compared to singers Sarah MacLaughlin, Joni Mitchell,

and Eva Cassidy.

Singer, songwriter and supporter of music

Maribyrd, nicknamed as such by an old roommate years ago, mostly plays guitar and sings. These days she jokingly refers to herself as a songwriter with a part time job as a jukebox. She’s also been known to play mandolin and a little bit of bass in some of her bands.

Yes, some of her bands, as Maribyrd plays with several. The Tollcollectors, for example, have a passion and a focus on harmonies. Each of the band members sing as well as write, and her favorite part of the experience is working out harmonies during rehearsals. 

Maribyrd and the Dream Band is also composed of singers and songwriters with shining harmonies. “Some of the most amazing players I’ve ever worked with are playing in that band,” Maribyrd said.

She also plays with family members in a band called Eleven-Ten.

One of her strongest passions is promoting women in music because, as she says, “it tends to be a guys game.” 

 Basic beginnings 

Maribyrd’s passion for music began in high school when she started playing guitar in youth group. Not unlike many popular musicians, she had been playing in hopes of attracting a member of the opposite sex. As is also common, the boy didn’t stick, but the music did. 

For a long time she considered playing just a hobby, but she would perform at open mics and an occasional gig. Then about five years ago, she decided to jump right in and make music a full-time priority. 

Influences for Maribyrd’s music include Joni Mitchell and her original songs have been influenced by acoustic Led Zeppelin and Edie Brickell to name a few. She is inspired by her high school favorites: John Denver. Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead and of course The Beatles. The first songs she remembers playing were religious songs at youth group. The first cover song she learned was “He Said” by Edie Brickell, followed by “What’s Up,” by 4 Non Blondes.  

More than a lifestyle

She admittedly loves everything about the musician lifestyle: the ability to travel on her own terms and spend time on the road meeting new people, visiting new places and seeing new things. Maribyrd has made friends everywhere she’s gone and can be found couch surfing in cities across the country. In 2016, she completed her first cross country tour, successfully singing her way out to Seattle and back.  

“I feel like I have  little pockets of family all over, like a little community in the Adirondacks and another in the Asheville area.”

She also loves playing with her bandmates and the connections they make during a performance… not just with each other, but with the audience as well. Those moments, however small, make all the grunt work of carrying and setting up equipment (then breaking it down and lugging it back), and the hours spent on the computer or changing guitar strings worthwhile. The moments when someone stops by to tell her a particular song she played made their day, are as good as gold.

“I have no delusions that I’ll be rich and famous at any point doing what I do, but I’d rather be happy and have less,” Maribyrd said. “You can always figure out how to get money, but you can never get your time back.”

More to Maribyrd

Maribyrd's debut album, "Joe's Basement" was recorded in 2002, and includes other talented North Jersey musicians. It was followed by "The Cabin Sessions" in 2015, and the debut album from her band, Byrdgrass, in 2016. The Toll Collectors released their debut EP, "Raindrops and Watercolors" in 2020. Mari has also added harmonies to many local artists' records, and a new album of her own is in the works.

““Chock-full of acoustic darlings, ‘The Cabin Sessions’ maintains a harmonious ambiance throughout. From the country, electric vibe of “North Country Snow” to the moody strokes of “Closure,” the album shows Hubley’s ability to push the envelope of acoustic music.””

— Greg Watry, NJ Herald

An artist to the core, when she isn’t playing music, Maribyrd trades her guitar for a paint brush or crochet hook. She enjoys woodgraining, marbleizing, stencils, antiquing, custom wood finishes, furniture refinishing, custom color matching, and gold and silver leaf finishes. Much of her made-to-order work can be purchased on her Etsy page, including upcycled “bag-bags” made from repurposed plastic bags. She also takes on commission painting, all of which can be purchased or asked about through her website.

Maribyrd performs every other Wednesday at Table 42 in Dover where she has been hosting an acoustic open mic for the past seven or more years. The location holds a bit of nostalgia for her as her first gig was here years ago when it was The Laughing Lion. She’s always looking to encourage female musicians, and hopes that they will find a safe and accepting place to play at her open mics.

Find where Maribyrd is playing next, or learn more about her bands or her artistic creations on her website: http://maribyrd.com/

Maribyrd will also be playing at the West Milford Farmers Market music tent from 3-6 on the following dates: June 8, July 27, August 24, September 7 & October 5

Together, acoustic duo Steve Vecchiotti and Debbie Fisher comprise Joshua Tree, playing roots/Americana as well as folk/bluegrass style with harmonies and dual instruments. 

The pair will be performing at the West Milford Farmers Market on June 22nd. Visit them online via their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Joshua-Tree-388729527965286/