EPK

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 has been a fixture in the NYC music scene fronting The Mona Dahls a genre-bending ensemble whose sound lives at the intersection of folk, jazz, and Americana, with songs that are equal parts haunting and darkly funny.

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 WFUV New Folk Initiative, Orly has shared stages with celebrated folk and Americana artists including Rachael Kilgour and Carolann Solebello. A proud member of the Jack Hardy Songwriters Exchange and a regular presence in the New York City folk community, the band performs regularly at Pete’s Candy Store and throughout the city’s independent music venues.

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, My Bloody Valentine). The band is currently recording their third album at Grand Street Recording in Brooklyn, produced once again by Huw Price, with a 2027 release anticipated.

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 the hilarious absurdities of being alive.

The Mona Dahls are: Curtis J. Brewer (lead guitar, music director, producer), Michael Talley (bass), Robin “Mitch” Mitchell (keyboards), Ariel Weissberger, Ian Roberts, Peter Kronreif (drums and percussion), and Daniella Fischetti (violin). Each member brings a rich musical background drawing from jazz, classical, and world music traditions to create layered, genre-blurring arrangements.

PAST SHOWS INCLUDE Rockwood Music Hall (Stages 1, 2, and 3), Mercury Lounge, City Winery, City Vineyard (2023), Pete’s Candy Store , Sofar Sounds, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, NERFA, Radio Nowhere, WDFU, KDVS, WEMF

PRESS 2020 — John Platt’s (WFUV) On Your Radar, New Folk Initiative 2020 — Americana Highways 2019 — Editor’s Pick, The New York Jewish Week 2017 — Higher Plain Music

DISCOGRAPHY

2016 — Mona (produced by Huw Price)

2024 — Hope is a Traitor (produced by Huw Price)

2027 — Third album forthcoming (recorded at Grand Street Recording, produced by Huw Price)