Dive deep into the musical journey of the gifted Ellen Pieroni, a devoted sax participant, versatile multi-instrumentalist, beloved music educator, and promoter deeply ingrained within the regional music scene. With a wealthy historical past of performing and touring with notable initiatives like Folkfaces, Intrepid Vacationers, and Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra, Pieroni unveils her newest ardour mission, The Encyclopedia of Soul (EoS).
On this interview, Pieroni shares invaluable insights, cherished recollections, and her timeless love for music and the colourful Buffalo music neighborhood. Observe her on Instagram for a more in-depth have a look at her ongoing musical journey.
Q. Who/What was your largest affect to pursue music?
- I began enjoying saxophone once I was 8 years previous. Earlier than that, I performed guitar with my dad in our basement. I’ve at all times cherished music since I used to be a child – listening to it, enjoying it. It’s laborious to place my finger on what precisely “influenced” me to pursue it. It’s at all times been such a giant a part of my life; one thing that I can’t think about not doing. Some people who influenced and inspired me on my journey nevertheless have been my father and his love of music, my center faculty band director Mr. White, and my non-public saxophone teacher Ed Yadzinski.
Q. How did you get entangled within the music scene?
- Once I was a freshman in faculty, I began my first band: Ellen Pieroni Quartet. Nicely, I assume technically my first band was one which I performed keyboard in in my highschool good friend’s basement (we had one demo on Myspace thanks very a lot). However I began enjoying some native venues with EPQ round 2012 – McGarrets, Milkie’s, Nietzsche’s, Various Brews, and The Tudor Lounge to call a couple of. All through the years I performed in numerous bands that linked me to different musicians and the scene on the whole, together with Folkfaces, Blue Stone Groove, and Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra (amongst others). Nonetheless, I believe what linked me to Buffalo’s music scene probably the most was once I acquired the Nietzsche’s reserving job. I took over after Curt Rotterdam and ran the music there for about 5 years, and met numerous nice people throughout that point.
Q. What do you’re keen on about Buffalo, particularly in a music business context?
- I believe what I really feel most grateful for in Buffalo are the improbable musicians I get to share levels and inexperienced rooms with. There are numerous gifted and inventive people right here, and I’m so glad to know them and get to work with them. My EoS bandmates (James Benders, Adam Bronstein, Tyler James, Isaiah Gethers) are all world-class gamers, and unimaginable individuals too.
Q. What’s your favourite venue to play? The place would you play when you had the possibility?
- I really like Sportsmens Tavern. The sound is nice, and the oldsters who run it are even higher. They labored laborious to maintain issues going in the course of the pandemic, and I’ll always remember their valiant efforts throughout that terrible time. They’re actually for the musicians over there. I’m additionally an enormous fan of BLACK DOTS on Grant Road – once more, simply run by actually nice people. Plus they promote cans of Dr. Pepper and vinyl information, so it’s form of a magical place. I believe my dream venue is Purple Rocks in Colorado. However I’ve additionally by no means performed on stage on the City Ballroom. I’ve gone to so many live shows there. That will be fairly cool.
Q. Favourite tune you’ve written? What was the inspiration behind it? (If doable I’d like to make use of that mp3 because the tune for the video)
- My favourite tune that I’ve written is “Dream Rotation.” It was the second single off of The Encyclopedia of Soul, Vol. I. It was a imprecise concept I got here up with in my classroom (I’m a highschool band instructor) when a scholar no-showed for a lesson. The concept sat for some time, and finally it returned and the tune got here collectively so simply. It was the final one which I wrote for the album, and it turned out to be my favourite one on the document.
We recorded the album actually the day after the horrible blizzard final Christmas. Like, the driving ban was lifted a couple of hours earlier than our session was set to start out. My beloved nextdoor neighbor died in the course of the blizzard – she froze to dying in her automobile. It was insanely tragic and he or she was heavy on my thoughts in the course of the session. I like to think about “Dream Rotation” as a dedication to Stasia, and a few of my different pals who’ve handed on over time. It’s a tune about wishing you may burn one together with your lifeless pals.
Q. Finest piece of recommendation given to you concerning your music?
- This man I grew to hate as soon as advised me that he by no means will get away from bed for lower than $100. I used to be fairly younger and making lower than that on the time enjoying music, so I didn’t actually get it, and type of thought it was pretentious. However I believe finally I got here to take that as realizing your worth and value as an artist, and combating to get what you deserve – not simply financially talking – which is one thing I’m a giant advocate for today.
Once I was on tour with Folkfaces, we made up guidelines to get together with one another in shut quarters for weeks on the street. Rule #4 was “Don’t Give Recommendation.” I don’t hear numerous recommendation. Both that, or I don’t hearken to it lol.
Q. What’s your definition of success?
- This can be a powerful one. I actually wish to work. Not simply in a 9-5 sense, however I wish to really feel busy. I like being on stage as usually as I can. I believe my model of success is ensuring that EoS is enjoying constantly, so I can work, and my guys can too. I really feel most profitable once I’m busy. Once I’m driving from gig to gig, driving up and down the 90 between festivals, sending reserving emails, making flyers. After all, I may really feel *extra* profitable. It’d be good to be enjoying some larger levels. Touring extra usually. Releasing extra music. However on the finish of the day, I believe once you actually love what you’re doing, simply doing the factor feels profitable in itself.
Q. What do you suppose individuals want to grasp in regards to the business in Buffalo?
- I want it was a little bit extra commonplace to see individuals supporting native artists – particularly people enjoying authentic music. I actually hate going to see a present with simply completely killer musicians on stage, and an empty room. It occurs to all of us occasionally. Each single venue I’ve booked at, you get individuals complaining a couple of cowl cost. 5, 10 bucks that goes to the musicians. It may be actually disheartening. However, I believe it makes me much more appreciative of the assist I obtain, or see different musicians obtain. The individuals on the town who go see dwell music each evening and pay the duvet and purchase their merch (I’m you, Beth Alt). I really like listening to about bought out crowds, and other people promoting their albums. It simply means a lot to us.
Q. What’s subsequent for you?
- I’d actually wish to launch one other album. Like, quickly. My companion (Adam Bronstein) is a musician too, and we’re racing to launch albums. He’s on the brink of launch #2, and I’m like – rattling. I gotta get writing! I’ve one completed tune, and some unfinished concepts. I’m hoping the quiet of winter offers me extra space for creativity. It simply makes me so impressed that Herbie Hancock launched so many albums within the 70s. Typically 2 or 3 in a 12 months. It’s a lot work to launch an album! And then you definitely simply flip round and do it once more!
I’m additionally hoping to hit some larger pageant levels and one other tour in 2024.
Q. Buffalo query! Blue cheese or ranch?
- There’s a time and place for ranch, however Rootie’s bleu cheese is the transfer!
Observe Ellen at Web site | Instagram
