Lady Hang: Kimaya Diggs, Wallace Field, Rachel Sumner, and Emily Haviland

Valley powerhouses Kimaya Diggs and Wallace Field team up with Boston’s Rachel Sumner (of Rachel Sumner & the Traveling Light) and Emily Haviland for a special evening of song sharing and collaboration. This is a rare opportunity to hear beloved songs performed in intimate acoustic arrangements.

Kimaya DiggsKimaya Diggs is a musician based in Western Massachusetts, making soul music with R&B roots and an indie rock backbone. Her newest album “Quincy” was released in 2023. Merry-Go-Round magazine said: “You can call her 12 shades of charismatic and vivacious, and none of them really explain the magical mix of talent, passion, and showmanship that Diggs exemplifies…we should be simply overjoyed that there’s still such magic in the world.”

Diggs was nominated in the “Best New Artist” and “Album of the Year” categories at the 2023 New England Music Awards as well as “Female Performer of the Year” in 2021. She was recently honored as one of 10 artists of color making a difference in the Boston area by WBUR. She has opened for the likes of Trombone Shorty, Tank & the Bangas, and Lizzie No, and she’s toured with Heather Maloney. The Boston Globe says: “Expressive, smooth vocals…she’s kind of an unstoppable force.”

Wallace FieldFrom the metaphorical ashes of a breakup to the literal ashes of a house fire, folk-rocker Wallace Field rises like a phoenix from the ashes with her debut album “All Costs,” out now. The album features nine original songs, took four years to make, and premiered on the fifth anniversary of the house fire. With her “powerful voice reminiscent of Joan Baez” (The Valley Advocate), Field stuns with her haunting, vulnerable songwriting and “crystalline voice” (The Recorder). The Boston Globe says “she always sounds like she means it.” Field was born and raised, and still lives, in western Massachusetts.

Rachel Sumner“Strong songwriting and a pure voice, Rachel Sumner brings joy and energy to the stage” – Livingston Taylor

Like a masterful painting or a well-crafted film, Boston based songwriter Rachel Sumner transports audiences into the world of the songs she sings. Borrowing from the storytelling traditions of Appalachian and British Isle folk songs, Sumner’s haunting melodies, unexpected harmonies, and lyrical prowess refresh the genre altogether, leaving listeners spellbound.

One of the winners of this year’s Kerrville New Folk Contest and the Lennon Award in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Sumner just released her sophomore album Heartless Things to critical acclaim.

Emily HavilandEmily Haviland’s musical journey is deeply rooted in the vibrant tapestry of the Greater Boston music scene, where she has flourished for nearly a decade. A proud alumna of Berklee College of Music, Emily’s academic pursuits led her through the intricate corridors of americana-fiddle performance, where she explored the rich tapestry of American Roots music and its tumultuous history. Along with that, she dual-majored in music therapy, where she delved into the profound impact of music on the human psyche.

Emily Haviland’s debut album, “Not Who You Think,” released in February 2024, epitomizes her unyielding commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. In both her performing style and songwriting, Emily weaves together threads of authenticity and innovation, creating an auditory experience that captivates and resonates deeply with her audience. Renowned fiddler Darol Anger aptly describes her as the “Realest Deal in a long time,” praising her genuine voice, profound reflections, and songs that boldly articulate the unspoken truths we all harbor. “Real voice, real thoughts, real songs that say – with pungent power – what everyone’s really thinking. Glad to welcome her work into the world.”

With each performance, Emily invites her audience on a transcendental journey, where melodies intertwine with emotions and storytelling transcends words. She is not merely an artist to watch; she is an experience to be savored, a testament to the enduring power of music to illuminate, inspire, and unite. In the realm of contemporary music, Emily Haviland stands as a beacon of authenticity and creativity, leaving an indelible mark on hearts and minds alike.