The Compact

The Compact is one of the most visible and highly regarded groups in New York’s Hudson Valley. Their signature sound grows from an intuitive, musical interplay and striking personality contrasts between long-time collaborators Erin Hobson (guitar) and multi-instrumentalist Steven W. Ross, whose main instrument is the bass.

Ross, a New York City transplant, has spent his life writing and playing, and learned about music production from Paul Rothschild (The Doors, Janis Joplin), a mentor who predicted he'd one day be a great bassist and producer. He met Hobson, a Dutchess County native and music educator with a background in Jazz Performance in 2008 and they've been creating and performing ever since, releasing music through their independent record label, Choking Chicken Records.

Their style is categorically hard to pin down. Hobson’s guitar playing is tinged with elements of Jazz, Folk, and Rock. Ross’s bass-lines are rich and memorable, he’s like a percussionist and bassist all in one. Together these seemingly unlikely musical partners have a distinct feel, and each live show becomes a fusion of diverse genres, leaving audiences on their feet. The electric trio includes drummer Paul Rossman’s finesse and sense of rhythm, providing a big pocket for The Compact’s unique sound.

The band performs regularly at every top music venue in New York’s Hudson Valley, as well as in and around New York City, and have headlined and opened for International acts in many genres. Tracks from their albums have played on radio stations regionally and nationally. "It's A Wash" from "1@AX" (one at a time) was voted Top 100 Songs of 2014 by listeners of 100.1FM WDST.