Kwame Binea Shakedown, Urban Coyotes, Spells and Curses

As diverse and kinetic as the city they call home, Kwame & the Uptown Shakedown have been perfecting their unique blend of soulful rock n'roll since they formed in 2008. A true product of New York City, their music reflects the passion, the energy and the sounds of the city. They stand out - as a multicultural, multigenerational collective whose influences span soul, blues, classic rock, reggae and R+B. Featuring singer/songwriter Kwame Binea, guitarist/songwriter Justin Wilcox, bassist Art Vanterpool, drummer Medley, and saxophonist Quigley , the group is united by a common goal to make simple, soulful, back-to-basics music. "Our music is organic," says London-born Ghanaian-raised Kwame, "it's about life, love and struggle but it's danceable. We make music that moves you and that makes you move." After leaving blues/rock band 'The Kause', Kwame met songwriting partner Justin Wilcox at a recording session in Union City, NJ and the duo moved to Harlem to begin writing and playing together. Initially an acoustic act, the band's line-up grew naturally as Kwame and Justin met and played with other New York/NJ musicians. As the group got bigger – both literally and sonically - their music began making the walls of the apartment where they rehearsed rattle and so the Uptown Shakedown was born. The band has quickly built a following as diverse as its members. Having played regularly at a number of iconic venues including Sullivan Hall, Kenny's Castaway and Arlene's Grocery, the band started playing shows across the East Coast this year as they complete work on their debut LP. Lead single 'Waiting' was released earlier this year and has been garnering the band a lot of attention. "I've been patient, I've been focused, I've been waiting for my time to come," sings Kwame on the track. It seems their time has now arrived.


The Urban Coyotes are a five-piece rock band playing a diverse mix of Americana-inspired tunes, drawing on soulful styles from New Orleans to Austin to Portland and beyond. Blending gritty, electric blues with mandolin, banjo and other acoustic instruments, the Urban Coyotes deliver their own alt-grass interpretations of classics from the likes of REM, Rolling Stones and Wilco, as well as updated covers of The Decemberists, Ray LaMontagne, Old Crow Medicine Show and others.


Spells and Curses is a New York alternative rock band that gets it: Music enhances life.
Run faster, love harder, or think deeper; every song is a spell to enhance the moment, or a curse to damn it.

Here is where you can find the purest concentration for these companions to your journey. These aural supplements. These Spells and Curses.