ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Photos by J.r. Rost Photos courtesy of Darien Maginn Ben Peery
@BENPEERY
Ben Peery is an Astoria-based singer-songwriter who
has been making music since he was 17. His original music
draws on folk, rock and country influences and spans a variety
of topics, including romance, heartbreak, anxiety, family
and his own experiences with toxicity and substance abuse.
He also performs covers, his favorites of which are songs from
Tom Petty and Noah Gundersen, and takes song requests.
Currently, he is writing more music, which he said he hopes
to release in 2022. Peery can most commonly be found playing
at The Wolfhound in Astoria, Katch Astoria and The Wild
Goose in Woodside.
“Queens (especially Astoria and Woodside) is a phenomenal
place to be a musician,” he said. “Crowds are extremely
receptive, and the artist community is encouraging.”
Katelyn Richards
KATELYNRICHARDS.COM
@KATELYNRICHARDZ
Astoria musician Katelyn Richards has been
making music since receiving a guitar as a
birthday gift in 2007. She said her music typically
falls into the topic categories of seasonal
affective disorder, new love, introspection and
silly songs.
“I try to find the little things that most people
go through and write something to that,” Richards
explained.
She can be found at New York City bars, restaurants
and private functions, playing covers
of classic rock, ‘90s songs and new hits, with
some of her original songs mixed in. Richards’
third album is set to come out in early 2022.
Locally, she plays at Hutch in Astoria, Bantry
Bay Publick House in LIC and Donovan’s Pub
in Woodside.
She loves performing in her home neighborhood
of western Queens, she said: “There
is such a thriving community of musicians on
all levels — hobbyists, professionals, everyone
in between — who are just always ready to support
one another.”
16 DECEMBER 2 0 2 1
ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
Astoria’s Playlist
BY AMANDA SALAZAR
In our November issue, we featured several local singer-songwriters, but due to an error, this page
didn’t make it into the magazine. Be sure to add their music to your playlist, and watch them live in
the neighborhood!
/KATELYNRICHARDS.COM
