Den of Wax Announces Benefit Music Festival
The free event, with a suggested donation to The LOFT LGBTQ+ Center, will take place in Ossining, NY on August 19.

OSSINING, NY, July 31, 2023 – Den of Wax, the newly launched online record store and boutique record label (and soon-to-open brick-and-mortar retail storefront in Ossining, NY) has announced Den of Wax’s First Fest, a day-long benefit music event taking place on the beautiful grounds of the Bethany Arts Community in Ossining on Saturday, August 19.

The event, which is free to attend, with a suggested donation of $20.00 to The Loft LGBTQ+ Center, features a lineup of queer-affirming musicians, an assortment of the area's best food trucks, drinks, raffles and more.

The Lineup:

The Iron Roses (Joyful punk for inclusive revolutionaries)

MAN ON MAN (Unabashed queer rock band comprised of Roddy Bottum (Faith No More, Imperial Teen, Crickets) and Joey Holman (Holman))

Rid of Me (Melodic noise punk from Philly)

Jose Prieto of MakeWar (Solo acoustic set from frontman of NYC punk outfit signed to Fat Wreck Chords)

Chris Conde (Subversive queer rapper out of Brooklyn, NY)

All My Friends (Ossining, NY punks combining elements of throwback NYC punk with a touch of ‘90s alterna rock)

For Lack Of A Term (Alt-Punks from Yonkers, NY)

The Bump (Horrorfolk/Metalcoustic)

School of Rock Briarcliff Manor House Band (student musicians who are focused on live performance)

"I've had a lifelong passion for connecting people via music, so this event came about naturally as a way to help cultivate the Westchester music scene and gather the community," says Matt Friedman, co-owner, Den of Wax.

"I'm excited to introduce Den of Wax as the new family on the block by bringing together all of these great musicians - including long-time favorites, idols and personal friends - while raising awareness and funds for such an important cause. I want this annual event to celebrate music, embrace culture, and create a welcoming environment for every person to enjoy an incredible musical experience. This is at the core of what we want to achieve with Den of Wax,” said Friedman.

Den of Wax has engaged a range of local businesses and organizations that are providing everything from promotion to sound equipment. Partners include The Capitol Theatre (the largest performance venue in Westchester County); Captain Lawrence Brewing Co., the county's biggest brewery; The Koop Studio; School of Rock Briarcliff Manor; River Towns Music Group; and others.

“We're honored to have so many community organizations and local businesses helping us to put on this event. It has become a true collaboration that would not have been possible on our own," says Diana Friedman, co-owner, Den of Wax. "This event has underscored for us that we're lucky to be joining such a vibrant local community. We look forward to many more partnerships in service of great causes and good times."

Den of Wax is especially grateful to the bands, who are largely donating their time and energy to this event, and who are passionate about the cause that the event is supporting.

Nathan Gray of The Iron Roses said, “The Iron Roses are so excited to be a part of such a special event benefiting The LOFT this August! Cultivating safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community is something so dear to us - myself as pansexual and non-binary, Becky as a bisexual mother of a Trans daughter, and the rest of our amazing bandmates who are allies, through and through. We look forward to celebrating the joy and beauty of the Queer community with you, as we raise a fist together in Ossining.”

“Community centers that provide queer people with job, housing, and health resources are pivotal to keeping LGBTQIA++ folks safe and supported. We’re proud to work with The LOFT to make their work more visible to the Hudson Valley and beyond,” said the members of MAN ON MAN.

For additional details, visit: www.firstfest.us

About Den of Wax:

As purveyors of collectible audible art, the newly launched online record store and boutique record label (and soon-to-launch brick-and-mortar retail storefront) Den of Wax is excited to share special vinyl from around the world. With a goal of helping music lovers discover new music, while building a completely unique collection of amazing vinyl, Den of Wax specializes in Intricate packaging, long sold-out variants, hard-to-find records from overseas, deluxe albums, and up-and-coming artists.

The Den of Wax team works closely with bands, labels, and distributors to source vinyl across all genres, but with an affinity for music that is emerging, with an edge.

Among the label's first releases is the sophomore album from Rid of Me (‘Access To The Lonely’) coming out this fall from Knife Hits Records with deluxe vinyl from Den of Wax. The LP features eleven brand new gut-wrenching tracks recorded by Matt Weber at The Gradwell House / mixed by Scott Evans at Antisleep Audio / mastered by Matt Barnhart at Chicago Mastering Service. Full announcement, pre-order and full details coming soon!