Americana, soul rock and bilingual punk fill Mama Tried

St. Divine celebrated the release of its debut full-length album, The Devil You Know, with a July 2 performance at Mama Tried, 787 Third Ave.

The performances by FaithNYC, a soulful New York rock band led by Felice Rosser whose recent double album Love Is a Wish Away/Dub Is a Wish Away is out on Creation Youth Records, and The Lookout Honeys, an all-female bilingual punk and rock & roll band whose album Aguacatero was released in 2025, built early momentum before St. Divine’s album celebration took center stage.

The night also marked a return to Mama Tried for the band, giving the performance the feeling of both an album celebration and a milestone in St. Divine’s growing live presence.

Ahead of the set, Judy Ann Nock reflected on the significance of returning to the venue at this stage in the band’s development.

“Performing at a venue like this means a lot to me because it’s a really popular place,” Nock said. “To come back a year later for an album release party is satisfying. It’s a testament to resilience.”

Performing the album live also gives the band an opportunity to see how audiences respond to the music in real time, according to Nock.

As the show began, conversation gave way to the band’s opening sounds, drawing the crowd toward the stage and into the performance.

Formed in 2024 and signed to Reel to Reel Records, St. Divine is led by Will Croxton and Nock, with Jesse Barnes on bass, Michael Ratti on drums and Philip Yanos on lead guitar. The band had previously released singles and the 2025 EP You Can’t Go Forward and You Can’t Go Back, making The Devil You Know its first full-length album.

The new album blends punk, garage rock and Americana, with Croxton and Nock’s songwriting moving between dark romance, grief, defiance and the raw energy of New York’s dive-bar music scene.

Returning audience members often arrive with new faces in tow, helping Mama Tried build its crowd through personal recommendations. Mama Tried owner Colin Strohm said that pattern is part of the venue’s appeal.

“From word of mouth, people come in and bring friends who haven’t been here before,” Strohm said.

“It felt like a really intimate show,” said Eric James, a Sunset Park resident. “You could feel the energy in the room as soon as the music started.”

The excitement extended beyond the stage area, with some attendees traveling from outside the city for the show.

“I’m looking forward to listening to their work,” said Kim Macqueen, who traveled from Vermont to attend. “Events like this could even be worth moving back for.”

As St. Divine moved through its set, the night settled into the rhythm of a performance that felt both intimate and connected to the city’s wider indie music landscape. With The Devil You Know marking a new chapter for the band, the evening underscored the role of small venues in shaping how local acts debut, evolve and connect with audiences.