The Ladles are known for their signature harmonic blend, intricate arrangements and commitment to human connection. Imagine the tight, sisterly harmonies of The Staves meets Madison Cunningham’s songwriting ingenuity. At a Ladles show, you can’t help but feel part of something bigger. Swept up in their ethereal soundscapes, you can easily forget what separates you from the person next to you. Based in NYC and San Francisco, The Ladles are Katie Martucci, Caroline Kuhn, and Lucia Pontoniere.

Before they were The Ladles — Katie, Caroline, and Lucia were the only three undergraduate women in New England Conservatory’s Contemporary Musical Arts program. Katie Martucci (guitar/vocals), Caroline Kuhn (banjo/vocals), and Lucia Pontoniere (fiddle/vocals) formed their trio after discovering an effortless chemistry playing music in their college dorm rooms. The group got its name from a mislabeled bathroom sign at the Conservatory that read “Ladles” instead of “Ladies.”

Each member of the band stands alone as her own impressive artist, but for The Ladles, making music has never been about the individual. The Ladles cherish community, and they use their artistic magnetism to create a sense of connection and belonging for their audiences. In line with their collective nature, each member of The Ladles writes songs and sings lead vocals; there is no clear front-woman. Each Ladles voice has a unique texture, but the real “voice” of The Ladles is their signature harmonic blend. When The Ladles harmonize, you’ll swear you’re hearing one voice, somehow replete with delicious overtones that give them a fuller sound than you’d ever expect from a trio.

Their collective sound feels like The Staves hiking the Appalachian trail with the Punch Brothers. Their music defies definition by a singular genre, and they have put in the years to discover how their sound fits into (and expands) larger traditions. With influences from indie pop and old time to chamber and choral music -- The Ladles embody a rare balance of technical prowess, emotional intuition, and creative exploration. 

In many ways, The Ladles have grown up together. They have navigated a decade of managing a bi-coastal band (NYC and SF), figuring out creative ways to collaborate during the pandemic, and being there for each other, both musically and personally, through the many challenges of their 20s. There’s something inextricable about the way The Ladles music has blossomed as they’ve grown together as people.

At a Ladles show, you can’t help but feel part of something bigger. When you’re swept up in their ethereal soundscapes, you can easily forget what separates you from the person next to you. You’ll feel a collective resonance. And that’s exactly what this band’s after, because, to The Ladles, everything’s better when shared.