Category: Podcast

Mary Lamont Queen Of Long Island Country Music

Canadian transplant and Queen of Long Island Country Music, Mary Lamont took me on a roller coaster ride of an interview recently on The Long Island Sound Podcast. The twists and turns of her entry into the music business is quite a story to behold. A story I would have never imagined that would take us from Anne Murray to Alice Cooper!

Mary Lamont “Queen of Long Island Country”
photo by Jim Marchese

Not only is Mary a fine country crooner and singer/songwriter, but she’s also a fierce advocate of original music as a DJ with her long-running show, Down Home Country, alternate Sundays at noon on WUSB 90.1 FM, the University of Stony Brook radio station.

That’s part of the fun of being part of WUSB, because there are so many different genres they cover. I mean, anybody can find a show on WUSB, who will be playing the type of music that they like. And you can’t really say that about the other stations and, as you say, the support of local talent.
Mary Lamont

Navigating the Music Industry

Mary found her way into the music industry by happenstance, cutting her teeth in the trenches as a receptionist for Alice Cooper and then progressing through an unofficial apprenticeship with a booking agent, and an industry magazine called Crawdaddy’s. Her early inspiration came from her father.

But my dad said you can sing. You’re going into the church choir. And my first reaction was No, no, I can’t do that. I can’t do that. And he says yes, you can.
Mary Lamont

Coincidence, inspiration, and encouragement collided to move Mary from her comfort zone to become a singer/songwriter. Mary credits her music career to two men in her life, her dad and her Husband, Jim Marchase. Jim is a well-respected photographer in the music business, having once landed a gig as Bruce Springsteen’s photographer on a European tour. He is also the guitarist in the band.

… my husband has been so for lack of a better pun instrumental in, in putting this band together, in encouraging me to, you know, to be the head of the band, you know, in the guitar work that he does, in the riffs that he plays around the house, that inspire me to write music.
Mary Lamont

Mary Lamont’s band has opened for Delbert McClinton, The Marshall Tucker Band and the Charlie Daniel’s Band. She continues to be an ambassador for country music from covers of classic songs to her own catalog of music.

Opportunities Abound Spreading the Goodwill

A fateful phone call came to Mary’s husband, in 2002 when a Chinese foundation was seeking the Mary Lamont Band for a goodwill tour of China.

Mary Lamont Band in China 2002 – Photo by Jim Marchese

I mean, we’ve gone through Alice Cooper and Bruce Springsteen, and now China wants us to bring the band over!
Mary Lamont

Over a two-week period Mary and her band would travel throughout China, covering 23,000 miles from Beijing to the Great Wall.

China was fantastic, the whole musical tour was like our one “Hard Day’s Night”! The schedule was hectic but exhilarating. Our shows were varied, from large outdoor concert events with thousands of people, as well as beautiful large concert halls such as Beijing’s Forbidden City Concert Hall.
Jim Marchese

They say music is the universal language that can heal the world. We sure need ambassadors like Mary Lamont spreading the good news and building bridges between people, cultures with kindness. Join me for the rest of the conversation with Mary Lamont on The Long Island Sound podcast.

During this holiday season, may your generosity of joy inspire everyone you meet, and as always, let the music take you on a journey!

December 24, 2022
Sam Woolf, American Idol at the Crossroads

The network of original artists on Long Island have brought me from dive bars to aspiring stars. Sam Woolf is a young man with the courage of his convictions. When faced with the pressure to be reinvented to suit the market, Sam chose to stay true to his art.

Intrigued by two recent guests on The Long Island Sound podcast , brothers Como, Andrew and Matt, I was introduced to Sam Woolf. The Como Brothers collaborated with Sam Woolf, and I was impressed both with the original songs and vocal accompaniment. A particular jem is “Give a Little Love”

Sam Woolf & Como Brothers, Andrew and Matt

American Idol Competition

At the age of seventeen Sam Woolf, through the encouragement of his mother, took a chance at an audition for American Idol back in 2014. As an uneasy teen with little to no live performance experience, Sam Woolf got the golden ticket to Hollywood to perform on American Idol. He made all the way to the number five spot in the contest. When I asked Sam about the scrutiny on national television, he has this to say:

… I had really no experience performing live,… no real experience performing in front of an audience. So that that part was like, I just kind of had to muster up the courage and just be like, I gotta do this
Sam Woolf

2014 Sam Woolf on American Idol

American Idol judge Keith Urban was impressed with Sam’s perfect pitch as he performed Ed Sheeran’s Lego House during auditions. Woolf climbed to the number five spot before elimination. What intrigued me was his determination to retain his identity as an independent singer/songwriter. When the American Idol team wanted to transform Sam into some sort of a teen idol, this is how he responded:

Yeah, I certainly was going against it. Because that was the bubble they put me in. The heartthrob, which is how they labeled it… I don’t want to be the heartthrob. Come on, I’m just trying to be that indie singer songwriter
Sam Woolf

A Decade Later

It’s been a decade since Sam competed on National Television, and he has recently moved to New York City to continue with his music career. He’s opened for Jefferson Starship, War and the Doobie Brothers. He stays in touch with Alex Preston and Caleb Johnson who were contestants with him on American Idol. In January he’ll be releasing a new song called, “Worst Thing” and this is what he said about the new release:

It’s called “Worst Thing “, to me, it’s my favorite song, I think, the most honest song I’ve ever written. And I hope people can relate with it in some way, or they could connect with it.
Sam Woolf

Now that Sam has settled in New York, I’m excited to see where he pops up next. I’m sure there will be more collaborations and great music in this guy’s future. If you’d like to hear the rest of the conversation with Sam, check out his episode on The Long Island Sound Podcast.

December 19, 2022
Homeward Bound: The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame to hold Grand Opening on November 25

Ernie Canadeo

Thanksgiving is a time for homecomings, reminiscing, laughter and song. After 18 years, The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame will have their homecoming on November 25th in Stony Brook.

I had the opportunity to interview Chairman Ernie Canadeo on the latest episode of The Long Island Sound Podcast. You can join the conversation right here.

The organization was formed in 2004, by educators and musicians who really, really have a passion for music. And they created it to preserve and celebrate Long Island’s musical heritage
Ernie Canadeo

Grand Opening

Joan Jett

The Hall of Fame will feature world-class displays and unique memorabilia that showcases Long Island’s rich and diverse musical and entertainment history. This past week Joan Jett’s classic Jaguar will be on display along with other donated memorabilia from Billy Joel, Twisted Sister, The Good Rats, Debbie Gibson, Blue Oyster Cult, and from the families and estates of Harry Chapin, Guy Lombardo, John Coltrand and so many more.

The Hall of Fame and Museum is open Wednesdays-Sundays from noon to 5pm. The first exhibit, created by world-renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan, is titled “Long Island’s Legendary Club Scene – 1960’s-1980’s and is designed to be “a club crawl” through Long Island’s legendary 60’s, 70’s and 80’s club scene.

The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) is dedicated to preserve Long Island’s musical heritage for future generations. To date the organization has inducted more than 100 musicians and music industry executives and also offers educational programs, scholarships, and awards to Long Island Students and educators.

Besides supporting future musicians, Chairman Canadeo spoke to the healing power of music and how LIMEHOF will be partnering with one of their sponsors, Catholic Health Services:

We will be partnering on a program called Health and harmony next year, where we will be sending musicians and comedians and bold types of entertainers into senior centers into hospitals.
Ernie Canadeo

During the interview on The Long Island Sound podcast Erne and I both recognized the pent up need to reconnect with the community after the quarantine and Covid. There is great pride in being a Long Islander, and recognizing the wellspring of talent in the region. I invite you to review the List of over one hundred LIMEHOF Inductees over the past years, it’s quite remarkable.

Grand Opening in Stony Brook

Simon and Garfunkel (inducted 2008) and their song Homeward bound is so appropriate for the emotions surrounding this Grand Opening:

Home, where my thought’s escaping. Home, where my music’s playing. Home, where my love’s lie waiting, silently for me, silently for me.
Simon & Garfunkel

Everyone needs a place to call home. Now the musician and entertainment community with roots on Long Island have a place to call home in Stony Brook. With the rotation of new exhibits, the Hall of Fame is sure to attract musicians, students, educators and those headed homeward bound.

During this holiday season, let’s be generous with our joy, and let the music take us on a journey.

November 19, 2022
Como Brothers Emote Passion and Persistance, Delivering Sweet Harmonies

The recipe for success in the music business starts with honing your craft. Add the right ingredients rooted in passion and persistence, rightaway top it off with a consistent social media presence and you’ve got a winning combination. To put it mildly, the Como Brothers Band is cook’n.

It’s Kismet

It was Kismet that I discovered the Como Brothers when they performed in Bay Shore. While at Fire Island Vines, a relatively new wine and craft beer bar that profiles original music, I was approached by the owner. This particular evening I came to hear Gene Casey, another one of the fantastic guests on The Long Island Sound podcast. I was greeted by Antonio, who said if you like Gene Casey, you’re gonna love the Como Brothers!

Harken the Harmonies

What caught my ear were brothers Andrew and Matt’s vocal harmonies. The music had a familiar rock/pop sound. When they were four to five songs into the set, I realized these guys were pumping out some great original music. As fate would have it, I “checked in” on Facebook, and soon, my daughter Fatih recognized the brothers as the sons of her math teacher, Mr. Como in High School. Como the senior would play his son’s music on occasion in class a decade earlier.

Curiosity Clinches

Curious about the artists behind the music and this kismet connection with my daughter, this had to be some sort of sign to investigate. A quick Google search of the Como Brothers, increased my curiosity as a plethora of songs and collaborative music videos appeared.

After a short conversation the Brothers Como agreed to be on The Long Island Sound podcast. The famous broadcaster Paul Harvey would opine, “And now the rest of the story” can be found in the latest episode of the podcast.

Content is King Backed up by a Queen

Fascinated by the wellspring of music that comes from Long Island, I am intrigued by the exposure artists receive or lack in the marketplace. The Como Brothers seem to have the success recipe nailed down. Maybe it is the Social Media generational divide that is the disadvantage for many artists. For the Como Brothers Band, Social Media is their superpower.

If you take a look at their website, you’d be amazed at the exposure they’ve gained in the marketplace surprisingly in a relatively short period of time. Whether it was being featured in a Canon trade show commercial, or having their music featured on Keeping up with the Kardashian’s, and MTV”s Real World, these guys seem unstoppable.

Secret Ingredient

When I asked about their social media presence, both Matt and Andrew heaped praise on Matt’s fiance Tatiana.

Tatiana is super, she’s actually super involved in what we do not from a songwriting perspective, but she films all of our music videos, helped set up on our website, our online shop. So she has type A, and she’s a band member’s dream. She’s like the Anti Yoko Ono!
Andrew Como

In promoting any artist or creative on the web, I’m intrigued at what seems to be successful. Whether it is deciphering the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) or understanding what a particular platform’s algorithm likes to see, I’m happy to integrate and learn something new.

Collaboration is Key

The common denominator with the video on the band’s site seems to be like-minded collaboration. Sam Woolf, one of the contestants on American Idol, joins the Como Brothers in several videos. Sam’s pop sound blends well with the band, accentuated by Andrew’s creative guitar licks. The humility of the brothers is by their willingness to explore and share their talent with other artists. The collaborators behind the scenes read as a Who’s Who of industry professionals backing up the production of the band’s endeavors. Industry legends grace various tracks. There’s drummer Steve Jordan (John Mayer, Saturday Night Live band, Late Night with David Letterman), keyboardist Andy Burton (Little Stephen & the Disciples of Soul), Aaron Sterling (Taylor Swift), and many others.

How can two young brothers make the industry connections that lead to collaborative projects? I asked them how do you do it? How were you able to connect with Sam Woolf or Kayla Stokert or the many other notables on your tracks? The simple answer I surmise, is that they’ve worked hard traveling and gigging around and they just seem to be nice guys. Artists willing to take the collaborative leap and say, “let’s give it a go”.

The two words that came to my mind when I encountered the Como’s was passion and persistence. As full time musicians with a creative need, they pump out content with Tatiana’s helping hand. Together they package it up into video and social media posts, ever increasing their growing list of fans. I can see their consistent creative content calling me back to discover what they’ve been up to each week.

You can find more on their YouTube Channel, Instagram site and Spotify playlist. Call it Kismet, by looking into my crystal ball, I can see the day when I’ll recount, “you know I knew them way back when.”

November 12, 2022
Gene Casey’s Alt-Country Music Captivates

The simple definition of a troubadour is that of a poet bringing lyrics to song. Gene Casey’s music has been captivating the East-end of Long Island for decades. During the first week in November, I had the honor to interview Gene Casey on The Long Island Sound podcast. A self-defined Roots-Rock, Alt-Country musician, Casey and the Lone Sharks deliver a show to behold. Gene’s deep baritone voice smoothly moves between covers of Cash and Presley to his vast catalog of original songs.

The Lone Sharks – The Bar Band of the Hamptons

Most of my interviews are done virtually, which provides a speed-dating type of vibe, which allows a deep dive into the artist behind the music. As luck would have it, Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks were playing in my backyard, at a venue in Bay Shore, called Fire Island Vines. The crowd thoroghly enjoyed the show and could not wipe the smiles off their faces.

Well-known as the “Bar band of the Hamptons” Gene and his troupe ventured West. The Lone Shark’s lineup includes Chris Ripley (drums), Tom Hopkins (Upright Bass), Paul Scher (Tenor Sax) and Gene Casey (Lead Guitar). Gene’s performance harkened my mind back to a time when a 1950’s four-piece could provide the big sound and the simplicity of arrangement that draws you into another time and place, allowing you to forget the troubles of the day.

Stellar Performance

I was captivated by Friday night’s performance. Gene is a master entertainer, connecting and cajoling the audience as several danced to his Rockabilly rhythms. His song, “I love what I do”, is a memorable diddy well worth the download.

During Gene’s podcast episode, we were able to gaze into his songwriting process, his sojourns to Nashville, and adventurous career.

In 2014, Gene and the Long Sharks received the Long Island sound Award by the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, “for contributions to the Island’s musical landscape.” Over the years, Gene’s music has been on the soundtracks of television shows and featured films. Gene Casey has shared the bill backing legends of Rock & Roll acts such as The Band, Wanda Jackson and Bo Diddley

Songwriting Style

I queried Gene about his Alt-Country and Roots-Rock writing style:

Writing a country song. And I liked that, because, you know, just get to the point, back up the point and move along. Lyrically, yep. And it’s not easy to do. Because there’s no filler, no waste, you got to be every syllable, every syllable in a Hank Williams song is there for a good reason. There’s nothing, no waste.
Gene Casey

Gene and the Lone Shark’s dance card is full these days. Besides the various gigs and shows Gene hosts “Down Home Country” on WUSB 90.1FM, as the alternate host for this long running radio program covering a century of Country Music every other Sunday.

If you want to Rock the Town during the holiday season, there’s one Rock & Roll Christmas show not to be missed at the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, NY. This annual holiday event dubbed “A Rockabilly Christmas” features the great Jason D. William, his pumpin’ piano along with Gene and the Lone Sharks.

You can find Gene Casey’s music right here on Spotify. Be sure to visit Gene’s website to find out where he’s playing next, and enjoy his episode on The Long Island Sound podcast.

November 8, 2022
Gregory Dwane: A Music Industry Veteran Worth Emulation

After interviewing dozens of music industry up-and-comers to bonafide professionals, there is certainly much to learn from Gregory Dwane who is a music industry veteran worth emulating. I was captivated by his song, “When You Say California”, which has a Tom Petty feel to it and was a great introductory track exposing me to want to dive deeper into his catalog. You can find Gregory Dwane on Spotify.

I had the pleasure to interview Mr. Dwane on The Long Island Sound podcast. This minstrel hails from a small town in North Carolina and ultimately settled into the New York City music scene in the 90’s.

He’s a sort of a utility man in the music industry where the road to success is littered with its own detours and off ramps, Gregory Dwane is a survivor whose skill was to not only be good at his craft, but through an honest demeanor, made the best of the opportunities set before him.

A Road Well Chosen

Touring the world with Alanis Morrisette, Gregory Dwane worked with David Navarro, Macy Gray, Jane’s Addiction and Joan Osborne. The serendipitous twists and turns, set him on a trajectory from alcohol abuse to sobriety.

“I went from thinking my world was over to touring the world”
Gregory Dwane

Dwane’s resume would detail skills in record engineering, producing, fine art, singer/songwriting, jingle writing, and Country music entertainment. Sojourning from New York to Nashville, and from L.A. to Connecticut, provided this multi-talented music industry professional with a multi-dimensional group of experiences. HIs keen ear manages to guide an artist through the wormhole of production frustration to a fully produced album ready to launch on the market.

Alternative Country, a place worth the visit

With a firm footing in the Alt-Country genre, Gregory Dwayne’s songwriting presents an artist weathered by life’s experiences moving from rebellion to redemption. After a short hiatus from the music business, it was his reinvention as a fine-art painter that would eventually lead him back to songwriting.

I want my MTV

When I read Gregory Dwane’s EPK, I thought I spied a misprint. How could this rural North Carolinian be inspired by a combination of MTV, and the movie Beat Street and then move to New York City in the 90’s, finally settling in as an Americana and Alt-Country Singer/Songwriter?

I believe what separates the creatives in our world from the rest of us, is that an artist acts on the muse and opportunities they find within reach. Gregory Dwane’s humility and good-nature seemed to open doors, as his cohorts recognized his honed craft, ultimately opening doors to further expose his art.

Gregory Dwane is unstoppable. While continuing to produce his own music, he has also applied his expertise as a producer for Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls as well as other artists.

During the interview, I found a skilled artist whose creativity could not be contained. Dwane mirrors the desire we have to find understanding and equilibrium in our lives. Enrich your playlists with his music, and you will not be disappointed.

November 3, 2022
How to Reinvent Community with a Rock Choir

They say there is no such thing as coincidence, well that was before Artificial Intelligence was deployed in our browser searches. In the case of Rock Voices and Tony Lechner, its founder, I’m grateful either way.

The Collision of AI & Coincidence

The impact of harmony cannot be denied when you discover a new ways to connect in community with Rock Music. I spied the Rock Voices advertisement on Facebook, combing the Internet for potential guests on my podcast The Long Island Sound. Intrigued by the YouTube video of various people singing a choral arrangement of Rock songs, I am reminded of the Playing for Change, Songs Around the World videos, which began on the web during the Covid quarantine. Leave it to the musician community, who will not be deterred from delivering their art to the masses, while endeavoring to draw communities together. Ever amazed at the seeds of creativity, I am drawn to unpack Rock Voices, an amazing program. Taking a stab at an invitation and reaching out to Tony Lechner, we were drilling down on the particulars after a couple of days for an interview.

Follow the full conversation with Tony Lechner, a music professor turned entrepreneurial rock coral arranger on The Long Island Sound Podcast.

Professor Tony planted the seeds of a rock coral group ten years ago in Hadley, MA. Our cousins across the pond in England had flushed out the idea and Mr. Lechner knew the time was right to start a no-audition Rock chorus in America. He was so amazed with the early impact and results, he told the pioneers of Rock Voices that he’d quit his full-time job as music teacher and pursue the dream of bringing a Rock-based choral group to life.

Recalling the many Zoom calls we all engaged in during quarantine, and recognizing the need to stay connected to the community, Rock Voices is well worth investigating. The program seems to be a prescription to allow singers of every skill level re-enter the local collective and have some fun along the way.

I don’t even like to call it a choir, I’d like to call it a Rock Band with a ton of singers
Tony Lechner

Communities Making Connections

Today, Rock Voices has chapters in six states, and there is a waiting list for new locations as the vetting process for directors continues. New York State has chorus’ in Albany, Brooklyn Heights, Saratoga Springs, Syosset, and Syracuse. They perform concerts in the Spring, Summer and Autumn seasons.

The various Rock Voices Choral Groups have performed selections from the Beatles, James Taylor and the Foo Fighters to name a few.

I was amazed at the arrangements, in particular, the cover of “Somebody to Love ” by Queen, raised the hair on my arms and pulled at my heartstrings.

A choral group is a great place to hide and learn in a no judgment zone
Tony Lechner

Healing Harmony

Tony spoke about the various studies which highlight the mental health benefits for the participants who engage in harmony singing. The positive feedback from the choral group members is an endorsement of the healing powers that music can bring to a community. Rock Voices flings the door wide open and provides an easy entry point for everyone to participate in a fun-loving learning experience. So if you’re ready to Rock, this just might be the therapy you need.

October 24, 2022
Westchester Producer Highlights Local Rap and Hip Hop Scene

When you think of Westchester, you may not picture a thriving rap and hip hop scene; one local producer is looking to change that. John Darling aka Poncho is a producer turned entrepreneur, who highlights local artists on his Youtube show, the Encore Podcast.

Growing up in Cortlandt Manor, Poncho didn’t seriously start making beats until a sports injury in college prompted him to switch gears and make music. After dropping out of the University of Mississippi his sophomore year, he returned to his hometown and quickly learned how tough it was to make a career as a producer.

John Darling aka Poncho is a producer turned entrepreneur. With an eye for upcoming artists and an ear for beats, the Westchester native uses his talents daily on his Youtube show, the Encore Podcast.

“You got the industry route where you’re trying to get beats on an album and the internet route posting beats on Youtube, but it’s just so saturated,” he explained. “You can only get so far doing that.”

Rather than DMing artists with his beats and hoping for responses, Poncho wanted musicians to come to him. His solution was the Encore Podcast, where he envisioned himself interviewing up-and-coming rappers, producers and DJs. Poncho had a variety of music contacts from previous ventures hosting live shows and he hoped some of these connections would translate to people he could feature on the podcast. Poncho also believed Encore could serve to connect Westchester artists to one another, creating a community centered around music.

“There’s a lot of people who do music in Westchester, but everyone is just disconnected,” he said. “There’s no home base for people.”

Yet that community is clearly growing under Poncho’s guiding hand. While the podcast is still small – it has less than 1,000 subscribers on Youtube – the fan base is clearly dedicated. The show never appears to lack new voices, whether it be interviews with female rappers like the Yonkers based Prada Mama or big name producers like Mike Snell, who has worked with the likes of artists such as Kanye West and Timbaland.

The podcast is also big enough that Poncho said he only accepts around 15% of interview requests. And on episodes where he reviews new music, artists are now paying him to critique their songs.

Poncho making beats in the studio

Still, it took a while for Poncho to reach this stage. Over the course of hundreds of episodes and many years, the podcast has evolved from acoustic performance videos to music reviews and artist Q&As. Currently, Poncho says the primary focus is creating educational content for artists and producers.

“The interviews are really about creating teachable moments for artists,” he said. “A lot of artists don’t really know what they’re doing … so there’s an education gap that we’re trying to fill with our podcast.”

Indeed, the podcast excels particularly by providing both a platform for artists and their music while simultaneously serving as a learning tool for viewers hoping to make it in the industry. Perhaps no one knows this better than Westchester rapper Tim Schulze, who releases music under the moniker, Starkiller TmmyX.

TmmyX has been a featured guest on the podcast, working alongside Poncho to review artist submissions. TmmyX is also an avid viewer of the show and said the podcast provides knowledge he wished he had known when he was just starting out.

“Poncho goes through and he teaches all these little things and he gives you all these criticisms,” he said. “Some people might take it the wrong way, but these are things that I wish somebody was telling me earlier in my career.”

The burgeoning reach of Poncho’s podcast also contributed to TmmyX filming a music video with the artist Nyck Caution, a member of the hip hop collective Pro Era, which notably features Joey Bada$$ as one of its founding members. TmmyX and Caution had recently made a song together, although they never met in-person for the collab. TmmyX decided to preview the new single on the Encore Podcast, where it was met with rave reviews. Hundreds of people tagged Caution while Poncho himself gave a shoutout requesting the two meet and shoot a music video together … and it worked.

“Two weeks later, [Nick Caution] is with me and we’re in Brooklyn shooting the video because of Poncho’s podcast,” TmmyX said. “It’s things like that. He’s creating moments. Poncho has created each of these connections by putting his service out there.”

Another connection Poncho has made is with Bobby Lehday, a Westchester producer and now frequent guest of the Encore podcast. Lehday has worked with famous rappers like Lil Durk and serves as an in-house producer for other Westchester artists like TmmyX.

Like Poncho, Lehday has an eye for Westchester talent and sees the opportunity for a community to grow around the rap genre.

“I like to see people from my area win and if I can help them with that, I’ll do whatever I can,” Lehday said. “I love seeing people blossom and grow into artists. I feel like a farmer tending my garden.”

Bobby Lehday, Poncho and TmmyX doing music reviews on the podcast

For Lehday, sometimes helping others comes in the form of tough love, as evidenced by his sometimes critical music reviews on the Encore Podcast.

“I’ve been on the show myself and people have said I’ve been a little harsh, but honestly some people really need to hear that,” Lehday emphasized. “If you’re serious about music, you have to be willing to be humbled.”

As someone who has been humbled many times while making the podcast what it is today, Poncho said he agrees with this mindset.

“At the beginning I was ignorant and after a hundred and fifty podcasts, I learned that, ‘oh, I’m doing this wrong,’” he said. “Eventually after I’ve fixed two hundred things, now I have a good podcast.”

Still, Poncho doesn’t deny that sometimes ignorance is bliss.

“I was blessed because I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing,” he said. “If I had known how difficult this actually is, I might have not done it.”

But by all accounts, Poncho has done it. Through trial and error and sheer dedication, Darling has made the Encore Podcast his full-time job and his main source of income. He continues to grow the platform one new artist at a time.

“I’ve got no other option,” he said. “With the platform we’re trying to build, I only want people that have that hustle, because if you don’t have the hustle, you’re not going to make it.”

Follow Encore Podcast on Spotify, Instagram and TikTok.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/15nDTJT5VzyvTYLJsEgiLm

October 15, 2022
Conquering the Cantankerous Divide with Folk Music via Josie Bello

As Autum begins, haunting imagery invades media marketing and entertainment. Maybe that’s why I decided to drive into National Cemetery to find some solice time after work to write this article.

The world is a scary enough place, I can do with less creepy in my life. The days are getting shorter and finding a quiet spot as the working day draws to a close seems harder and harder.

In 1965, at the Newport Folk Festival, Bob Dylan went electric, everyone thought it was the death knell of folk music.

I mistakenly thought folk music was dead and gone, until I was able to connect with the “folkies” here on Long Island. It started with the interview I conducted with Linda Sussman, which led me to Josie Bello.

The Resilience of Folk Music

I recently interviewed Josie Bello from Huntington New York, you can find her episode on The Long Island Sound Podcast. Her voice is akin to Emmylou Harris which artfully draws us into her lyrics. Her songwriting is honest, emotional and straignt from the heart. Like many of her counterparts, she’s not afraid to lament social justice issues, especially in her song “They lie”.

I am enamored by singer songwriters who can express what I often cannot in their song. Their ability to expand upon the muse and deliver poignant messages so important to hear. Josie calls herself a late bloomer, having sprung onto the music scene only seven years ago. After accompanying her husband Frank in the coffee houses in and around New York City during their college days, Josie decided to pick up the guitar woodshed the instrument and start writing music. Turning to her guitar teacher, Mike Nugent. Yes, the very Mike Nugent from the Cadillac Moon band and the Walkers, encouraged Josie to record her music in his Melts in Your Ears Studio. With two albums and a few singles under her belt, I see a bright future for this folk singer/songwriter. Nugent plays many of the instruments throughout the albums which are rich in texture while crossing into waters that incorportate, Folk, Americana and a smattering of the Blues.

Where Hope Blooms

Mike Nugent

In Josie’s music, I found both a lament and a prayer. A thread of spirituality and a hope for change. But there’s another interesting aspect to Josie Bello, at least for me. This “late-bloomer” provides unintended consequences with her career as a singer/songwriter. I found hope for all singer/songwriters who have written tens of thousands of versus developing the Muse but not quite woodshedding the song to full potential. I am inspired by the encouragement of Mike Nugent, her guitar teacher. It is common to find singer/songwriters who are also music teachers encouraging their students at every level level, which is a testimony to generosity of the musician community. As with any artist, a little encouragment can go a long way. As an underdeveloped songwriter myself, I have discovered a glimmer of hope in Josie’s story. The hope that our voices can be heard through our own songs, good intentions and most importantly, follow through.

Bridging The Divide

Folk Music in particular, brings the hope of an increasted dialogue in a divided country. To jump on the soapbox for a moment, there is a great need for us to converse with our neighbors, no matter how much we disagree with their politics. How can we be the “United”States of America, if we don’t talk to each other in a peaceful and deep dialogue? Music can help us reach understanding the big question, “Why do you think this way?” The honesty of a folk song can place us in the starting gate for reconciliation.

Give Me Original Music

As I continue to explore the Long Island music scene, through my podcast, The Long Island Sound, I’m no longer amazed about the diversity of genes in my own backyard. At first glance you think that every bar in town, every small stage is trying to find the next great cover band. After all, Mike Nugent says: “It’s the age of the Tribute Band”. But if you are intrigued about original music, you can still find the enclaves of originality, featuring folk music, bluegrass, punk, rock and roll and of course the blues.

“It’s the age of the Tribute Band”
– Mike Nugent

I lament about the days of my youth,before the disco era in the mid 80’s, it seemed that every bar and pub had a live original band playing. Today there are there are a handful of bars and venues that help support our original artists. I was thinking about Katie’s of Smithtown, Bartini in Babylon village, just to name a couple. And of course there are the big stages the Paramount of course in Huntington, 89 North in Patchogue and the ever resilient Eppy Epstein’s rebirth of My Father’s Place, at the Metropolitan in Glen Cove. We need more venues and people like Eppy who support original music.

Josie Bello’s music is streaming on Spotify, and you’ll be able to see her live at local venues on the North Shore as well as at festivals from time to time. There’s a need for music that is unaffraid, inspiring and which calls us into deeper conversations. Thank you Josie for putting to song, that which we often struggle to say!

September 29, 2022
Music, Art & Craftsmanship Flourishes with Out East

Interviewing a band is like opening a wrapped present, you never know what you’re gonna get until you unwrap the gift. Having interviewed dozens of musicians over the past year, I am cautious about questions that can kill a conversation. I’m conscious about the third rail question,, “…so what do you do for a living?” The fear of going off the rails put aside, I became intrigued with each member of the band, Out East. This group of artists from East Hampton keep on giving through each creative moment, whether in the studio, on stage or through their work. Let’s open the box. Catch the full conversation on The Long Island Sound podcast.

The Trio Expands to a Foursome

Established three years ago in the Hamptons, Out East has grown to a foursome with the addition of a fantastic vocalist, and singer/songwriter, Starlight Tyler. Ms.Tyler’s sound is described as “a soulful singer blending the classic sounds of jazz with the earthiness of the blues”. The band’s music is as diverse as their day jobs as we get acquainted with the stories behind the artists.

Their original music spans the gamut, from Fusion to Reggae, with a foundation of Blues and the influence of Latin rhythms. The song “Flower Power” sparks the colors of psychedelia, which would be a welcomed theme song for any CBD/Cannabis shop poised to open in New York.

“So What Do You Do For A Living?”

John Jinks, the main songwriter and guitarist in the group, cut his teeth as a Commercial Illustrator in New York City. This transplant from the Midwest had artist reps in the USA and Japan, and has worked on national campaigns. Clients such as Perrier, Warner Brothers, Estee Lauder, USPS among others have added John’s art to their brands. Upon transplanting from the city to East Hampton, John got into computers taking his artistic eye creating documentaries and motion graphic work.

Besides his music work as the drummer in the band, Gerry Giliberti established himself as a print-based photographic artist, creating abstract and surrealistic images to bring us into his world. Gerry’s ability to see simple images in complex textures has established him as a notable artist on the East End.

Carlos Barrios plays Bass in the band and is a notable Master Luthier (Master Instrument builder). Born in Guatemala, Carlos emigrated to the United States, spent his early years in LA and they traveled to Long Island. His father’s influence as a carpenter set him on a firm foundation to become a luthier. He makes basses and guitars and repairs all sorts of instruments. His clientele include G.E. Smith, and Nancy Atlas, among others.

Carlos on Bass

A New Documentary on Carlos’s Craftsmanship

A documentary featuring Carlos’ Master Skill in Guitar Building will premiere this fall at The Church,(Eric Fischil’s Art Gallery) in Sag Harbor.

Many musicians branch out to the visual arts; all are craftsmen in “wood-shedding” their instruments, and on this occasion, we meet a master builder, an artist-illustrator and an abstract conceptualist photographer. I will always be intrigued about professional musicians and their stories, I become envious of their skill, dedication and performance. Maybe it’s my own lack of skill or the excuse of “maybe someday, I’ll get to it” that insulates me from becoming a better musician or artist.

For the most part, Out East, plays the music scene out East. You can check them out when they play Best Pizza Dive Bar in Amagansett on Sept. 30 and Stephen Talkhouse on Oct. 28.

The awe of the craft, comforts music lovers everywhere as we experience the electricity of joy pulsating from a live performance. We traverse the roads of discovery among local neighborhoods, and music scenes abroad, forever searching. I’ll bet most of us will testify that music brings us joy, especially live music. If we are to heal the world through music, we’ll need to support our musicians and be generous with the joy we’ve received.

If you long for great music and art, my suggestion: head Out East!

September 24, 2022

Built in Breakdance