Orly Bendavid is a performing songwriter, poet, and psychotherapist (yes, you read that right) based in New York City. For the past 15 years, she’s been a fixture in the NYC music scene with her band, The Mona Dahls. She was selected to perform on the Emerging Artist stage at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in 2018 and featured in John Platt’s On Your Radar as part of the 2020 New Folk Initiative. A regular performer for Sofar Sounds, Orly has also shared stages with celebrated folk artists including Rachael Kilgour and Carolann Solebello. With the soul of a poet and the heart of a warrior, Orly’s songs dive fearlessly into life’s darker corners—transforming pain, humor, and brutal honesty into unforgettable melodies. Her voice is raw and haunting, carrying the weight of stories that refuse to be silenced, about love, addiction, grief, and just the hilarious absurdities of life.
In April 2024, Orly and The Mona Dahls released their second studio album, Hope is a Traitor, produced by Huw Price (David Bowie, Primal Scream, Nick Cave, Ian Dury, Fad Gadget, and My Bloody Valentine). A proud member of the Jack Hardy Songwriters Exchange, Orly is currently working on her fourth album.
The Mona Dahls are: Curtis J. Brewer (lead guitar, music director, producer), Michael Talley (bass), Robin “Mitch” Mitchell (keyboards), Ariel Weissberger and Peter Kronreif (drums and percussion), & Daniella Fischetti (violin). Each member brings a rich musical background, drawing from jazz, classical, and world music traditions to create layered, genre-blurring arrangements.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Full Band “Love without Teeth” 2024
Quartet “Lonely Woman” 2025
PRESS
2020 – John Platt’s (WFUV) On Your Radar NEW FOLK INITIATIVE
2019 – Editor’s Pick The New York Jewish Week
