Founded in Binghamton, New York in 2019, Caviar & Grits is an original soul/ R&B group consisting of Binghamton music scene veterans Michaela Clark, Jim Lomonaco, Moses Valle, Tyson Alston, and Joe Kollar. Their music is feel-good and funky, soulful and deep. This is music that compels you into dance mode, and their infusion of reggae vibes adds textures and grooves that push their songs into seriously catchy earworm territory.
You might go so far as to call Caviar & Grits a Binghamton “supergroup”; it’s rank and file consists of some of the area’s most talented and notable musicians. Singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist Michaela Clark is a rising solo artist. Bassist Jim Lomonaco was a founding member of legendary bands Yolk and Honker. Lead guitarist Joe Kollar plays with Lutheran Skirts and the nationally-acclaimed folk-rock/ Americana band Driftwood. Their remarkably talented keyboardist Tyson Alston performs with Metrognome, and Moses Valle is an exceptional drummer who plays with KidBess and the Magic Ring.
Caviar & Grits are sometimes compared stylistically with Lake Street Dive and Sammy Rae and the Friends. Many also compare vocalist Michaela Clark, quite rightly, with Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, and Billie Holiday. And that tracks with Clark’s influences, which include those legendary artists plus Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Sam Cooke, Robert Plant, Otis Redding, Donny Hathaway, Bob Marley, and Theo Katzman.
Background
Caviar & Grits formed in 2019 after some of their members met at an open mic night at Callahan’s Sportsmans Club in Binghamton. The band got together that fall, and would perform their debut show at Callahan’s on February 1st 2020, shortly before the pandemic.
Released in 2021, Caviar & Grits’ freshman LP Ticket to Flavor Town features staggeringly powerful vocals and musical prowess that truly showcases the immense talent on offer with this band. Check out our review of their upcoming EP The C&G Spot, which releases May 3rd 2024.
Caviar & Grits perform frequently at venues in Binghamton and around the Southern Tier, with Michaela Clark sometimes performing solo, in a duo with another member of the band, or as “Mini-Grits” with two or more other members of the band. They’ve also performed at several of the region’s most popular music festivals, including Binghamton Porchfest, Blues on the Bridge, The Harper M. Stantz Rec Park Music Festival, the Catskill Mountain Fall Festival, Ouaquaga Mountain Jam, and the New York State Cannabis Fest.
Learn More about Caviar & Grits
Caviar & Grits may not sound appetizing as a meal, but musically they’re on point. So be sure to deep-dive them online by following the links below!
Caviar & Grits are an unsigned, self-represented band. You can contact them directly via email at caviarandgritsband@gmail.com for bookings and press/ media inquiries.
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