Lisa Bastoni Returns Home to First Folk Sunday

Westport, CT – Westport tends to produce top-notch musicians. Many have moved away and yet many want to return when invited to come home. Such is the case with award-winning singer/songwriter Lisa Bastoni. Lisa, a Westporter who now lives in Northampton and performs throughout New England, is coming home on October 4.

Rozanne Gates and Suzanne Sheridan, the creators of First Folk Sunday, had seen Bastoni perform at the 2023 Back Porch Festival in Northampton, MA. They were impressed with her songwriting prowess, her musicianship, and her connection to the audience. They took a chance and invited her to be a guest artist at First Folk Sunday two years ago and now she is back by very popular demand. Originally not knowing that she was actually from Westport, Lisa told Rozanne, "I know you both. I was just a kid, but I was at the anti-war rally you organized in 2001on Jesup Green when Suzanne sang. I thought she was wonderful." So, on October 4, 2026, Lisa and Suzanne will be singing together on a few select songs. This will mark the 25th anniversary of their musical history. Truly a cause for celebration.

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Bastoni has come a long way since 2001. She has had much success in the folk world. She is a 2022 & 2023 New England Music Award nominee (Roots), 2020 & 2019 Boston Music Award Nominee (Folk) and winner of 2019 New Folk at the esteemed Kerrville Folk Festival. In addition to her work in music, Lisa is a visual artist and teacher, and mother to two children.

In March 2024, Lisa released her CD, "On the Water" and Eric Danton had this to say, "She's an evocative songwriter who sings with the wisdom of someone who hasn't always come by her insight the easy way, and the ache in Bastoni's voice contains as much compassion as it does sorrow. It's a powerful combination, whether she's singing about two inexperienced youngsters in way over their heads — "just babies, having a baby" — on "Honeymoon in Disneyland," or brushing away her own tears on the waltz-time weeper "Only Goodbye" as she explores long-distance yearning with earthy harmony vocals from Mark Erelli. On the Water isn't heartrending all the way through: Bastoni lets a droll sense of humor show, too, particularly on "Let's Look at Houses." Co-written with Willi Carlisle, the song has a honky-tonk feel with bold steel guitar licks from Rich Hinman and lyrics about holding hands, reprising youthful lust and ogling houses out of your price range. Elsewhere, Bastoni celebrates getting out and never going back on "Hometown" (with harmonies from Kris Delmhorst), and choosing a path based on love, even as doubts creep in, on the muted "Cheap Wine."

Taking a vital stand and singing with a critical message, Lisa wrote "There Are No Kings in America" which has been sung nationally at many No Kings rallies. Suzanne Sheridan sang this song at the March 28 No Kings rally on Jesup Green in Westport.

All First Folk Sunday concerts take place at the Saugatuck Rowing Club, 521 Riverside Avenue in Westport. For tickets to Lisa Bastoni at First Folk Sunday on Sunday October 4 go to the First Folk Sunday website by clicking here. The music cover charge is $20. Doors open at noon and the music is from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. An a la carte menu and open bar will be available for audience members. There is ample parking with overflow parking across the street at 518 Riverside Avenue. For more information visit the First Folk Sunday website at https://firstfolksunday.com and for questions, call 203-984-7562.

For more information about Lisa Bastoni, visit her website at https://lisabastoni.com.