Karina Rykman And Grace Bowers

Music festival season is in full swing, and two artists have really captured my attention, who are making waves and winning over audiences at each stop: Bassist Karina Rykman and guitarist Grace Bowers. Both talented musicians are known not only for their incredible skills but also for their ability to connect with fans, their creative collaborations, and busy touring schedule and breakthrough performances. Whether it is Karina’s breakthrough sell out or Grace’s tour stop in Japan, both artists are on a meteoric rise, and for good reason – they absolutely rip!

Karina Rykman: The Badass Bassist Sells Out Webster Hall

Karina Rykman has been making a name for herself as a powerhouse bassist from NYC, known for her electrifying performances, often jumping around the stage with kinetic energy. Rykman recently celebrated her largest show to date with a Webster Hall sell out, where she debuted “I’ll Be Your Johnny on the Spot” by Ween. With a musical background that spans genres, Rykman has carved out a distinct niche for herself in the jam band and indie music scene.

Karina Rykman Notable Collaborations

Karina is an active member of the music community, and has had some notable collaborations, including a breakthrough moment playing with Phish bassist, Mike Gordon at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT. Another career defining collaboration took place with My Morning Jacket in 2024 at the Rose on the River music festival.

Grace Bowers: The Blues and Funk Prodigy

Grace Bowers, a gifted guitarist known for her fiery solos inspired by B.B. King and Sly and the Family Stone, erupted on social media during the pandemic, and went from playing dive bars to continous touring and festival appearances. Born in the Bay Area, she picked up the guitar as a child, then a few years later relocated to Nashville to take her passion to the next level.

Bowers has emerged as a force in the indie music scene, gaining recognition for her ability to fuse classic rock influences with funk and blues. Bowers’ debut album with her band Grace Bowers and the Hodge Poade, “Wine On Venus”, was produced by John Osborne from the band Brothers Osborne, and Rolling Stone called Bowers “Nashville’s new guitar hero.”

Grace Bowers Collaborations and Tour Schedule

In addition to shredding epic solos, Grace Bowers has had some collaborations that have further propelled her momentum. She performed at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards with Chris Martin from Coldplay, at Love Rocks NYC with Peter Frampton and Trey Anastasio at the Beacon Theater, and with Mt. Joy, to name a few.

In an era where music is more accessible than ever, Karina Rykman and Grace Bowers remind us of the power of live performance. Keep your eye on these two.