About

Zoe Levitt is an Americana singer/songwriter and mandolinist currently splitting her time between Boston and Kathmandu. As a solo artist, she performs haunting originals, while her recent collaborations include co-founding the Bluegrass & Nepali Folk fusion band Manaslu Blue and the all-female folk band Ama Yangri. Zoe’s direct and powerful songs touch on everyday occurrences and personal struggles, while she also uses her music as a platform to address social justice issues. With her haunting yet bittersweet voice, reminiscent of Natalie Merchant and Joni Mitchell, Zoe delivers lyrics of hope and resilience accompanied by gorgeous melodies.

In recent times, Zoe has devoted herself to immersing in Nepali folk music and leading several noteworthy collaborations that bridge the gap between Nepali and American folk traditions. Additionally, she has been actively involved in creating songs that shed light on various social justice matters, using her artistic talent to advocate for positive change and a more inclusive world.

Zoe grew up playing bluegrass with her father in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She graduated with a degree in geology from MIT and moved to Nepal to pursue music -- her journey was recently profiled by MIT News. After connecting over their shared love of folk music, Zoe and the accomplished sarangi player Prince Nepali formed the band Manaslu Blue in fall 2022. With their crowd-rousing energy and spontaneity, the band creates innovative arrangements reinterpreting traditional folk tunes. Zoe’s other recent projects include Himalayan Highway, a Nepali folk fusion band debuting at Club Passim on August 28th, an all-female folk band Ama Yangri, and The Nightbirds, a project highlighting her originals.

Zoe has performed at venues across the US and Nepal including at Club Passim, Moksh, MIT, and Berklee and festivals including Grey Fox, Joe Val, and Echoes in the Valley. She has collaborated with many well-known Nepali bands including Kutumba, Kanta dAb dAb and Shyam Nepali & Friends. As a social justice songwriter she has performed at Nirbhaya’s Women in Concert, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s Walk for Change, and the MIT Monologues. Always eager for new collaborations, she can be found jamming with friends, hiking to look at rocks, or baking.