If you know me personally, there’s a good chance you’re aware that I’m a huge Radiohead fan. So when my friend Maggie recently posted about her love for the Apalachin, New York band Buttercup Chins, and I spotted their moving cover of the Radiohead classic How to Disappear Completely, I knew I definitely wanted to feature them in a Parlor City Sound artist profile!
Founded in March of 2023, Buttercup Chins (sometimes referred to simply as “The Buttercups”) are an Apalachin duo performing a roughly even mix of originals and covers, featuring David Wright on guitars and vocals and Christina Docenko on violin and cajon. Their bluesy, upbeat music sweeps through a broad range of genres, from classic to modern rock, pop to soul, and with a strong but fluid folk overtone that keeps their covers fresh and their originals unique. Docenko’s talented violin work gives this act a distinct vibe that helps them stand out in any crowd.
They cite Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, American singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier, and indie songwriting legend Howie Day amongst their wide spectrum of influences. Given their eclectic list of inspirations, it’s no wonder Buttercup Chins manage to create such a unique sound with their duet format.
Background
David Wright and Christina Docenko met at Waterman’s Cafe and Tasting Barn where they started playing together. You’ll find them performing there occasionally, with brunch gigs and regular visits to their Thursday night open mics. They were also founding members of Disguised as Humans, before splitting from the group to carve their own creative path with Buttercup Chins. Both Wright and Docenko perform as solo artists as well, and occasionally work with other regional acts.
Buttercup Chins is a very new band, so they don’t yet have any releases to mention, apart from the several live videos you’ll find on their Facebook profile. But they’ve kept themselves busy in the Greater Binghamton music scene with plenty of local gigs under their belt. This includes performances at various regional festivals, including Togetherness Fest 2023 (with Disguised as Humans), Owego Porchest 2023, The Michael French Memorial Meals on Wheels 5k Run/ Walk, the Hop Head Brewery 5th Anniversary Celebration, and Owego’s Lights on the River 2023.
It’s also worth noting that Buttercup Chins were featured in the Owego Pennysaver for their Lights on the River 2023 performance. And there’s also a very good chance you’ll spot them performing at the Owego Strawberry Festival in 2024, too!
Related: Check out these artist profiles on Caviar & Grits and Peaches and Crime, too!
Learn More about Buttercup Chins
Interested in finding more information about Buttercup Chins? Be sure to visit their official Facebook profile, which currently serves as their primary website. You can also find them on:
Buttercup Chins are an unsigned, self-represented band. You can contact them directly via Facebook Messenger for bookings and press/ media inquiries.
