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THE BIG TAKEOVER
Traditionalists or progressives? Fronted by the charismatic Jamaican-born singer and songwriter Nee Nee Rushie, the seven-piece New York band The Big Takeover plays original music that is rooted in and reverent toward the genres and rhythms of Jamaican pop: reggae, rocksteady, ska. They are devotees of Desmond Dekker and the way the old school did it. At the same time, The Big Takeover crosses lines and blends traditions like global pop fusionists. Their deceptively complex arrangements and big hooks connect with the spirit of Motown and the uptown sophistication of the 21st century retro soul and R&B revival scene.

That rich sound, along with their rigorous performing schedule and studio work, has been paying off. In 2018, the Big Takeover completed a successful 12-state tour. They were enthusiastically received by 10,000 at Omaha’s Jazz on the Green festival. They delivered an outrageously infectious and nuanced acoustic performance on the popular reggae-centric Sugarshack Sessions. Meanwhile, the band has faired well with National Public Radio- making stops into NPR stations all around the US.

The band’s latest single is a cover of Sophia George’s 1985 Dancehall hit – “Girlie Girlie.” It was recorded as part of a UK compilation album containing 40 covers of classic Trojan Records hits from artists across the world. It was produced by Manuel Quintana (Rachel Yamagata, Robbie Dupree, among others) & Rob Kissner, and mixed by Grammy Award Winning engineer Danny Blume.

The Big Takeover has shared the stage with such acts as: The Wailers, Sister Sparrow & Dirty Birds, The Meditations, English Beat, Jefferson Starship, Ryan Montbleau, Pete Seeger, John Brown ’s Body, The Slackers, Beres Hammond, Sister Nancy, & many others.

“Their performance stands alongside memorable recent shows by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Lake Street Dive. Spectacular.” -Micah Schweizer, Wyoming Pubic Radio

 “The Big Takeover successfully joins the popular music movement, while still paying homage to their influences in reggae and ska music.” – Sammy Steiner, NYS Music

 “Think back to the Desmond Dekker era of Jamaican pop and you’re on the right track. But the Big Takeover would be equally at home in the Motor City — especially if the Spinners and the Slackers magically ended up on the same bill.” -Jane Dunlap Sathe, Pulse

 “With songwriting, this band unleashes creativity with a celebratory grandeur.” -John Barry, Poughkeepsie Journal

SUNDUB
SunDub is a testament to the power of inclusion, diversity and unity; their music and community rallies around the concept that we are strongest when people of different backgrounds can work together to create positive change. These core values were first showcased on SunDub’s debut album, Burden of Love (2019), which has amassed millions
of streams since coming out. Anchored by a core quintet—Finn Singer (guitar), Derrick Bou (bass), Eric “The General” Toussaint (vocals-keys) and the brother-sister team of
Joanna Teters (lead vocals) and Ben Teters (vocals-drums)—the band is ready to breakthrough to even more fans worldwide with their sophomore album, showcasing the
evolution of their sound over the past few years. Joanna Teters’ commanding and soulfully smoky lead vocals blend seamlessly with the air-tight arrangements of the SunDub rhythm section. The result is a stand out expression of reggae’s classic undulating pulse and lush subterranean grooves, reinvented for listeners of all times and genres.

Outside of the studio and off of the stage, the band members that make up SunDub put their talents to work in a myriad of ways: using their music as a platform to advocate for political movements, teaching music lessons to New York City youth, and collaborating with non-profits to create change, to name a few. Like so many other bands, SunDub was hit hard by the onset of the pandemic of 2020 — tours canceled, opportunities postponed, income lost. Instead of being discouraged, the band came together on a Brooklyn patio and figured out how to make the most of the situation. During weekly, COVID-safe live stream performances in the summer of 2020, SunDub raised over $1,000 for the NAACP Education and Legal Defense Fund, using their platform to rally their community around the importance of political activism and dismantling unjust racial and societal structures.

“In a world that is frequently heavy and dark, Spirits Eat Music is a ray of musical sunshine. It is a remedy that requires neither a consultation with a physician nor a prescription. If
you’re looking for a musical mood boost, this album will get you off to a good start.” – Glide Magazine

“Teters pinpoints a lot of social upheavals experienced over the last few years and melodic support from GRAMMY-winning artist Peetah Morgan flawlessly chimes in to remind us that we are strong enough to adapt. We can find new ways to love when our old ways are challenged.” – Topshelf Music on New Ways to Love

“SunDub’s music calls you to movement, dance and smoothly leads you to your melodic world. The mood and atmosphere of reggae sound, swinging the rhythm and beautiful, kind melody.” – Nagamag