Artists have always seemed to come together and agitate the waters. To do the things that artists have always done to help people make this planet a more understanding, more inclusive, more tolerant, more habitable place.
From 2009-2013, on stages in Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side, The Backscratch Sessions would bring eight artists together to play 3-Song sets each, and to surprise each other with re-interpretations of each other's songs, and in turn share ideas and inspire each other. The night's proceeds would be donated to various charities with a vision of social justice and defense of the marginalized.
The Backscratch Sessions returned with version 2.0 in March of 2017 with the format altered to a songwriters round of four artists, all on stage together, taking turns playing songs, inspiring each other’s choices for the evening...with the final song for each artist being a surprise reinterpretation of a song by another artist sitting on stage.
The Backscratch Sessions have gone on indefinite hiatus, but kindly stay tuned as version 3.0 seems a foregone conclusion.
From 2009-2013, on stages in Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side, The Backscratch Sessions would bring eight artists together to play 3-Song sets each, and to surprise each other with re-interpretations of each other's songs, and in turn share ideas and inspire each other. The night's proceeds would be donated to various charities with a vision of social justice and defense of the marginalized.
The Backscratch Sessions returned with version 2.0 in March of 2017 with the format altered to a songwriters round of four artists, all on stage together, taking turns playing songs, inspiring each other’s choices for the evening...with the final song for each artist being a surprise reinterpretation of a song by another artist sitting on stage.
The Backscratch Sessions have gone on indefinite hiatus, but kindly stay tuned as version 3.0 seems a foregone conclusion.
The Backscratch Sessions, v2.0
Session One
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Session Two |
Session Three |
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The Backscratch Sessions, v1.0
The original Backscratch Sessions took place at The Red Lion on Bleecker Street, and at Rockwood Music Hall Stage One on Allen Street. Eight artists would participate, with their bands. Unlike Version 2.0, each artist would play a short set (rather than appearing on-stage simultaneously), and would play three songs each. Two of their own, and then their Backscratch: a song by one of the other artists on the bill, randomly assigned to them in advance. It made for some exciting moments, to be certain. Seventeen Backscratches took place in total, with all proceeds benefitting organizations such as Oxfam, One, WaterAid, Unicef, and many more. In all, the original Backscratch Sessions raised nearly $10,000 for these organizations.
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Session One
20 April 2009, The Red Lion Josh Dion Jesse Gage Kailin Garrity Robbie Gil Nick Howard Samuel Hope Dave Pittenger Rachel Platten Amy Regan Martin Rivas |
Session Two
29 June 2009, The Red Lion Rebecca Haviland Live Society Greg Mayo Martin Rivas Bess Rogers Casey Shea Brent Shuttleworth Jill Stevenson |
Session Three
31 August 2009, The Red Lion Kailin Garrity Wes Hutchinson Patryk Larney Martin Rivas Mike Tait Rachel Zamstein Byron Zanos Emily Zuzik |
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Session Four
26 October 2009, The Red Lion Chris Abad Michael Brunnock Andy Clayburn Abby Payne Dave Pittenger Rachel Platten Martin Rivas |
Session Five
28 December 2009, The Red Lion Rebecca Correia Shira Goldberg Genevieve Labean Live Society Andy Mac Julia Price Amy Regan Martin Rivas Jesse Rubenfeld |
Session Six
22 February 2010, The Red Lion Dallin Applebaum Kate Branagh Sarah Donner Kailin Garrity Martin Rivas David Rogue Stephanie White & The PhilthHarmonic Luke Wesley |
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Session Seven
26 April 2010, The Red Lion Mercy Bell Nick Howard Wes Hutchinson Will Knox Jeff Litman Chrissi Poland Martin Rivas Jill Stevenson |
Session Eight
28 June 2010, The Red Lion Barnaby Bright Josh Dion Kate Ferber Rebecca Haviland Joyous Noise Sam King Dave Pittenger Martin Rivas Craig Wilson |
Session Nine
30 August 2010, The Red Lion Chris Ayer Zach Hurd Patryk Larney Greg Mayo Jack O'Hara of Eggs Over Easy Abby Payne Martin Rivas Dominic Sinesio |
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Session Ten
25 October 2010, The Red Lion Bri Arden Lara Ewen Mighty Kate Chrissi Poland Martin Rivas John Schmitt Alexa Wilkinson |
Session Eleven
27 December 2010, The Red Lion Kailin Garrity Patrick Firth Caleb Hawley Martin Rivas Bess Rogers The Thang Evan Watson |
Session Twelve
28 February 2011 Rockwood Music Hall Dallin Applebaum Bryan Dunn Craig Greenberg Greg Mayo Martin Rivas Casey Shea Paul Tabachneck Alex Wong |
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Session Thirteen
25 April 2011 Rockwood Music Hall Chris Ayer Scott Chasolen Rebecca Haviland Shwa Losben Sierra Noble Martin Rivas Bess Rogers Matt Simons Alexa Wilkinson |
Session Fourteen
27 June 2011 Rockwood Music Hall Lara Ewen Patrick Firth Nick Howard Jeff Litman Live Society Valerie Mize John Schmitt Jesse Terry Benjamin Wagner |
Session Fifteen
29 August 2011 Rockwood Music Hall Bri Arden Kate Branagh Sadie Hart Caleb Hawley Patryk Larney Martin Rivas |
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Session Sixteen
24 October 2011 Rockwood Music Hall Alex Berger Josh Dion Bryan Dunn Will Knox Abby Payne Martin Rivas |
Session Seventeen
19 December Rockwood Music Hall Abby Ahmad Derek James Morgxn Stephanie White & The PhilthHarmonic Jay Stolar The Vanity Belles |