Bess Hepner
Nineteen-year-old Bess Hepner began playing guitar when she was 8 and singing since she popped out of the womb. In 2006, she wrote a song about Hurricane Katrina with her friend. The song was a hit, and they ended up performing it at six or seven different benefit events. This was the beginning of Bess' career as a performer. In 2009 at the age of 15, Bess created an all girls band called Who'da Funk It?. The band began as 4 girls, all from Amherst High School, and eventually grew to be five. The music they play is a mixture of funk, rock, afro-beat, ska, blues, hip-hop, and many other dance-able genres.
The girls have been very successful in the Pioneer Valley, playing at venues such as the Iron Horse, Pearl Street, and the Green River Festival. In 2012 the band changed and expanded, growing to an eight-member band complete with a full horn section and encompassing boys as well. Today, Who'da Funk It? is well known in the area.
On the side of the band, Bess studies classical guitar and writes songs on her own. She is especially influenced by jazz, blues, soul, and funk.
whodafunkit.bandcamp.com
Youtube video
