Sarah Hodd is a powerhouse vocalist and contemporary soul singer-songwriter born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Sarah’s childhood was filled with music - she began studying classical piano at the age of 8, and through her young years she took every opportunity to make music of all kinds including choral singing, a cappella, and musical theater. Born to a Jamaican mother and British father, Sarah was exposed to a variety of music at an early age. Her musical influences span across genres, from classical, to the hip hop, soul, and reggae she heard growing up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, to the country and blues music her mom played in the car on the way to school, to rock & roll, alternative and indie music. All of this has informed Sarah’s original music - which is soulful and full of heart, with a throwback vibe expressed through Sarah’s singular voice.
Currently based in Maplewood, NJ, Sarah is the lead singer and songwriter of the band Sarah Hodd + The Drive and has recently released her first EP, Rolling On, available everywhere you find music.
Patrick Cerria, Keys:
A multi-instrumentalist, Patrick Cerria played drums/percussion with nationally touring bands before adding piano to his musical repertoire. He is currently a teacher in a school district that serves special needs and at-risk students, gives private music lessons, and is the author of the book 'Finding the Flow: How Dalcroze Eurhythmics and a New Approach to Music Education Can Improve Public Schools.' When not teaching and playing with Sarah Hodd + The Drive, Patrick is in a constant battle to appease an unhealthy obsession with Willie Nelson.
Amanda Gardiner, Backing Vocals/Percussion:
Amanda recently returned to her musical roots after a 15-year hiatus focused on raising her 2 sons and climbing the corporate ladder. Growing up, Amanda regularly performed in school and church choirs, local musical theater productions, and as a soloist. She obtained a Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College, where she studied vocal and operatic performance. After a lifetime of performing mostly classical music and musical theater, she is singing in a band for the first time ever, and loving every minute.
Laura Delano Duncan, Backing Vocals/Percussion:
The roots of Laura Delano Duncan's vocal training reside in classical music in her birthplace, Puerto Rico, and later in Maryland and New York City, which led to her first paid gig as backup singer for the famed salsa king, Willie Colón, on a Venezuelan tour. Since then, she has graced NYC's Spanish language off-broadway stages, produced the vocal quartet, Spilt Milk (with composer, Noel Katz), in the theater district, and worked in the film and advertising industry. Upon moving to New Jersey she became an integral part of the music community forming the vocal duo with Jamie Kole in the band Madison. Laura is honored to have played on the local Maplewoodstock festival stage 6 times including with Sarah Hodd + the Drive in 2023.
Mark Loughney, Guitar/Backing Vocals:
Mark has been singing and playing guitar in bar bands throughout New Jersey for longer than he's willing to admit, with such groups as 3rd Gear, Big Radio, and The Baby Please. He is also currently recording his first album of original music, and the single “When Will I” can be found on Spotify, Pandora, and all the major streaming platforms. Mark has held executive roles at The Walt Disney Company and Warner Brothers Discovery, and currently serves as a consultant to the media industry, with a focus on TV and streaming video. But nothing brings him more joy than playing music for an audience.
Hal Hirsch, Lead Guitar:
At 6 years old, Hal saw the cover of his parents' Trini Lopez album. On the cover was this beautiful red guitar (now known as Gibson’s Trini Lopez signature model). It was that day that triggered his obsession with guitar and music.
Hal plays a variety of music and is involved in multiple musical projects incorporating jazz, rock, blues and country. He earned a music degree at Rutgers, studied classical guitar with Michael Newman, and jazz with Howard Alden and Vic Juris. Hal’s early influences were Humble Pie, Allmans, Yes and Santana; subsequently he was exposed to John McLaughlin w/Mahavishnu and Miles Davis, which opened up his musical world.
Hal considers himself lucky to get to work with some very talented local musicians doing local gigs and session work. For the last few years, he’s been working with Alex Kariotis and the Rock Orchestra, recording recently at Abbey Road studios in the legendary Studio 2. Hal also composes his own music, his latest album is “RoughHouse – Ground Floor”. Hal is currently working on his next release.
Billy Fishkin, Bass:
Billy Fishkin is a true basement band journeyman, most notably having long runs as bass player with local bands The Thingama Jigs, The Mungers and Walk the Dog. Billy is also a music professional having worked as an attorney, serving such clients as Dream Theater, Living Colour, King Diamond, Beth Hart and Porcupine Tree, and as a solfeggist and licensing executive at ASCAP and SESAC.
John Ritter, Drums/Percussion:
John has played drums and percussion since his youth, having grown up in a very competitive music program in Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools. His musical influences range from rock, funk, jazz, and many others. His most recent band stints include The Thingama Jigs, The Mungers, Final Entry, and the Elefante Jazz Ensemble under the leadership of Vinnie Turturiello. When not juggling his musical endeavors, John enjoys the beach and the combination of scotch or whiskey and a good cigar.