Hudson Valley Artist Highlight: Upstate

Atwood Journal: What initially drew you to the Hudson Valley – or saved you right here, or introduced you again – and the way has this place formed the way in which you reside, create, and join with others?

Harry D’Agostino: The type of simple reply is that the unique band members met right here within the Hudson Valley as college students at SUNY New Paltz. I feel the fantastic thing about the Hudson Valley is that it each has such a recognizable and distinctive sound, or array of sounds, from Dylan and The Band on the West aspect of the river to Pete Seeger’s enduring legacy on the East aspect. However a neat factor is that none of these sounds actually come from there or originate there, they’re all type of “fed” on different locations and arrive within the Hudson Valley secondhand amongst a tradition of musicians.

So it’s an important place to make right into a musical house as an arrival from elsewhere, which is true for all of us who grew up somewhere else. It’s additionally an important place for people who find themselves fashioned authentically by quite a lot of American traditions however who’re eager to attract porous boundaries between them and borrow generously from no matter appears to serve a tune. Possibly a strategy to put it’s that some locations in America are like “good dust” with their musical histories for the flowers to develop, and the Hudson Valley is sort of a land of musical florists.

There’s one thing undeniably particular concerning the Hudson Valley – from its epic mountains and plush forests to its winding rivers, rolling hills, and vibrant, tight-knit artistic communities. What do you’re keen on most about dwelling right here, and the way does the area affect your artwork, your mindset, or your sense of house?

Harry D’Agostino: We must always admit on the outset that after a few years, as of a month in the past not one of the 4 of us stay dwelling within the Hudson Valley: I’m in Troy, Dylan’s in Brooklyn, and Melanie and Mary are in southern Vermont. However regardless of that the Hudson Valley has remained our implicit “middle” and it most likely will stay that approach. One of many huge causes the valley grew to become such a house for the band was truthfully the patronage and assist of the late Tony Falco and his venue The Falcon in Marlboro.

It was a spot proper in our yard that may at all times host us for the very best type of viewers, the kind that’s attentive and gratuitous, difficult of their excessive expectations however gracious of their endurance once we’d attempt new issues. Over time we additionally bought to listen to a lot different superb music there, we bought to be paired for opening slots with musicians we actually admired in a reasonably intimate setting, and the entire thing ran on the charity and good will of everybody concerned. With Lee now, it nonetheless very a lot feels that approach in line with his dad’s legacy, so it’ll at all times really feel like house to us.

Tucked between New York Metropolis and Albany, the Hudson Valley can really feel like each a retreat and a crossroads. How does being on this distinctive, multi-faceted house inform your identification as an artist, and what has it allowed you to faucet into that you simply may not have discovered elsewhere?

Harry D’Agostino: There’s rather a lot to be product of how in-between the valley is. You may be in a single place and really feel very plugged in to town, only a quick trip away from something happening, after which drive twenty minutes and really feel such as you’ve left the world behind. It’s uncommon to discover a place that’s located like that wherever, and each side of that spectrum may be actually essential to feed a creative spirit, so it’s good to have the ability to attain in both path with out going far.

— —