The Band
a•cou•stic down•time (ə'koostik 'dountìm) proper noun
1. Melodies, rhythms, tones, even words, lyrics, and song titles - all the components of music - so visually elusive, nevertheless they surround us, infuse us, orient us, and point us in directions we may not have thought to go. If we but stop the internal chatter of worries, wants, and regrets that 'dog' us all the time - even for just an extended moment - and take time out to open ourselves to the possibility of receiving some of the sounds, natural patterns, and rhymes all around us - often we can be rewarded by a connection into that universal conversation known as music. Sometimes it may take the shape of a song that's already been penned, but we may not have heard it for decades. Sometimes it forms a wholly new experience for us - which can come in part or fully constructed. But it's always there for us to receive and it can bring smiles of a whole new understanding of our life and world.
2. Or you could think of us as aging hippies who are still groovin' - whatever works for you.
When Acoustic Downtime formed, like many other musical groups, we just wanted to jam and see what musical affinities we shared. This choice to get together with no preconceived ideas of who we wanted to mimic or what musical genre we wanted to tap into led us to try many kinds of styles and soon we were enjoying not only playing others' song material, but also embellishing that material and writing new "stuff" we hadn't categorized or thought of, but rather just opened ourselves to. The result is that we've woven together a tapestry of Country Blues, Contemporary Folk, sweet and sassy Originals, stylized Pop standards, and 50's and 60's small combo Jazz pieces that we are at home with and feel defined by. This experience has led us to a new-found respect for the artists who have been conversing this way for so long as well as a way to join the musical conversation.
We have explored many venues including: Blues festivals, open mics, street fairs, coffee houses, lounges, and internet radio. It is also very important to us that we give back to the community in general by participating in food raising for local pantries and benefits for worthy causes.
This is Acoustic Downtime. It keeps growing and changing and yet celebrating where we've been. Welcome to our sound!
So, Who's Who in Acoustic Downtime ?
Ed Mocko - Vocals and Guitars, and Effects
Rick Robertson - Electric Bass and Vocals
Tom Wilson - Vocals, Harmonicas, and Effects
Ernie Swinson - Drums, Percussion and Djembe
Frank Notarbartolo - Lead Electric, Dobro, National and Acoustic Guitar
Also Sitting In:
Mike DiGeronimo - Percussion
John Risotto - Mandolin, Guitar, Vocal
Rob Bellassai - Harmonicas
We are proud to be members of:
The Long Island Blues Society (LIBS) The Organization of Open Mic Performing Artists (OOMPA)
1. Melodies, rhythms, tones, even words, lyrics, and song titles - all the components of music - so visually elusive, nevertheless they surround us, infuse us, orient us, and point us in directions we may not have thought to go. If we but stop the internal chatter of worries, wants, and regrets that 'dog' us all the time - even for just an extended moment - and take time out to open ourselves to the possibility of receiving some of the sounds, natural patterns, and rhymes all around us - often we can be rewarded by a connection into that universal conversation known as music. Sometimes it may take the shape of a song that's already been penned, but we may not have heard it for decades. Sometimes it forms a wholly new experience for us - which can come in part or fully constructed. But it's always there for us to receive and it can bring smiles of a whole new understanding of our life and world.
2. Or you could think of us as aging hippies who are still groovin' - whatever works for you.
When Acoustic Downtime formed, like many other musical groups, we just wanted to jam and see what musical affinities we shared. This choice to get together with no preconceived ideas of who we wanted to mimic or what musical genre we wanted to tap into led us to try many kinds of styles and soon we were enjoying not only playing others' song material, but also embellishing that material and writing new "stuff" we hadn't categorized or thought of, but rather just opened ourselves to. The result is that we've woven together a tapestry of Country Blues, Contemporary Folk, sweet and sassy Originals, stylized Pop standards, and 50's and 60's small combo Jazz pieces that we are at home with and feel defined by. This experience has led us to a new-found respect for the artists who have been conversing this way for so long as well as a way to join the musical conversation.
We have explored many venues including: Blues festivals, open mics, street fairs, coffee houses, lounges, and internet radio. It is also very important to us that we give back to the community in general by participating in food raising for local pantries and benefits for worthy causes.
This is Acoustic Downtime. It keeps growing and changing and yet celebrating where we've been. Welcome to our sound!
So, Who's Who in Acoustic Downtime ?
Ed Mocko - Vocals and Guitars, and Effects
Rick Robertson - Electric Bass and Vocals
Tom Wilson - Vocals, Harmonicas, and Effects
Ernie Swinson - Drums, Percussion and Djembe
Frank Notarbartolo - Lead Electric, Dobro, National and Acoustic Guitar
Also Sitting In:
Mike DiGeronimo - Percussion
John Risotto - Mandolin, Guitar, Vocal
Rob Bellassai - Harmonicas
We are proud to be members of:
The Long Island Blues Society (LIBS) The Organization of Open Mic Performing Artists (OOMPA)