Cactus Rose NYC

Cactus Rose NYC is a native Americana trio featuring indigenous singer/songwriter/activist Kandia Crazy Horse (Pamunkey), indigenous guitarist Lonnie Harrington (Seminole/Shawnee/Cherokee), and guitarist Jeff McLaughlin.

Since the release of her critically acclaimed debut Stampede, Kandia has graced stages with Cactus Rose NYC, including performances at the Brooklyn Americana Music Festival, the Another Country Festival, the Grand Ole Echo @ SXSW, Make Music NY Festival, and beyond. Kandia has organized and performed at benefits for Indian Country, including the Sacred Water Medicine Show, which she curated at Decolonize This Place (Artists Space) in Manhattan, and a Benefit Concert for Water Protectors at Standing Rock at Brooklyn, NY’s Jalopy Theatre.

Influenced by Richie Havens, Buffalo Springfield, Cherokee folk singer Karen Dalton, and Tuscarora/Taino icon Pura Fé, Cactus Rose NYC’s music focuses on the experiences of urban natives and others of Indian Country. Kandia’s songs also mine her unique experiences growing up between various countries in Africa and Washington, DC, to forge her compelling style of Americana.

In 2022, Kandia served as a judge for Hamburg, Germany’s Reeperbahn Festival on their ANCHOR Award Board. She performed at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall in July 2023 as part of the Songs of the Living Choir in the Afrofuturist opera Parable of the Sower, written by Bernice Johnson Reagon (Sweet Honey in the Rock) and Toshi Reagon. In December 2023, Kandia received the Color Me Country grant from Newport Festivals Foundation.

Cactus Rose NYC plays throughout Lenapehoking (NYC), where they’re based. On May 3rd, 2024, Cactus Rose NYC headlined the Oberlin Folk Festival in Oberlin, Ohio, and they performed again at the 10th annual Brooklyn Americana Music Festival in September 2024. In October 2024, they performed at the Indigenous Day of Remembrance + Resistance and at the 3rd annual National Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade. They just released their first EP, Live From Lenapehoking: Field Recordings, in August 2024.

Kandia was asked to join the Native American Music Awards Advisory Board, voting for upcoming nominees’ selection for the 2025 NAMMYs. She is also now a voter for the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

Cactus Rose NYC’s music has been in rotation on indigenous radio programs, including Indigenous In Music With Larry K, NativeRadio.com’s Stream 6 (Contemporary Native American music), and Tunes From Turtle Island (Europe). Kandia Crazy Horse, solo or with Cactus Rose NYC, has shared stages with numerous local NYC artists, including Dan Zanes, Morgan O’Kane, and Ebony Hillbillies, and will be opening some dates of Valerie June’s Owls Omens & Oracles Tour in May 2025.

Praised for their fluency with varied Americana and cosmic country traditions, Cactus Rose NYC’s music unifies the ancient with indigenous futures.