| by Gabriela Stern They go. They flo. They make beautiful music! It seems as though, these days especially, the local music scene is tragically overlooked. There are talented young musicians in your neighborhood and you haven’t been able to see them perform…or not just yet! Right here in Somerville, MA, a city just 15 minutes outside of Boston, there are local bands trying to get their feet wet in the music business. Jesse Smith and Anthony (“Tony”) Montejano are two such young musicians (and graduates of Somerville High School) who formed an alternative rock band called the Go-Flo Casuals. The boys got their start playing along the bike path in Davis Square in Somerville and at an open mic at a café called Bloc 11 in Union Square in Somerville. They were then invited to play their first gig there at Bloc 11 Café and have since played four more shows at that location. After a few shows as a two man band, Jesse and Tony decided that they wanted to find a drummer to join them. It couldn’t just be any drummer though, the person would not only have to be talented, but would have to vibe well with the music that they had already written for the band. Not long after the search began they found the perfect candidate, a junior at Somerville High named Ryan Brum. Ryan was relatively new to drumming, but was a fast learner and |
| Local bands fill creative hole |
| was already a member of the band at Somerville High School. He was quickly integrated into all the Go-Flo’s songs and the three of them have written many new songs as a group. Bloc 11 isn’t the only place you can see the Go-Flos perform. They have played at Sally O’Brien’s Bar in Union Square, Johnny D’s Restaurant in Davis Square, Arts at the Armory in Somerville, The Palladium in Worcester, MA, The Real School of Music in Burlington, MA, and The Brick House in Turner’s Falls, MA. They have also played at several festivals in Somerville including The Local Roots Festival, The Soulful Souls Festival, and It Takes a Village Community Festival. The Go Flo Casuals are always keeping their eyes out for new venues to play at, both in and outside of Somerville. I spoke with Tony and Jesse about the Go-Flo Casuals and their beginnings as a band. I also recently had the opportunity to sit in on a band practice with the Go-Flo Casuals in their practice studio (the basement). The boys wrote a new song called “I Won’t Wait” at their last practice on Monday and can’t wait to play it again. “I’ve been dreaming of this song,” says Jesse, lead vocals and bassist for the band before they dive right into run- throughs of several new songs. If anyone can watch these boys perform (or even practice) together without at least tapping a foot along to the music I |
| would be very surprised! The Go-Flo Casuals have a unique blend of rock and reggae style songs that draw influences from a variety of artists both past and present. This allows them to appeal to younger and older crowds alike. The guys are extremely dedicated to their music and try to have about three practices a week that average six hours each. Jesse is also in his first semester at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he is in focusing on voice, composition and music engineering. You can find out more about the Go- Flo Casuals and listen to their music on their YouTube page: www.youtube. com/goflocasuals, on their Facebook. com page and their Reverbnation page: If you want to be on the band’s mailing list to receive news on upcoming shows and other Go-Flo updates, email them at goflocasuals@gmail. com. The guys are selling glow-in-the- dark Go-Flo Casuals bracelets for $2 so contact them if you want one! The band also has a new demo CD called “EPonimous” that includes 3 original tracks and 1 cover song available now for $5! I encourage you all to look up local venues in your hometowns and see what talent you can have the privilege of being the first to see and hear in person. Who knows…you might discover the next big thing! on to the interview |
| Happeningnow!everywhere invites readers to call our attention to their favorite local bands and other start-up entertainers. Send a link to their internet venue, and/or write your critique or bio and send it all in for our consideration. |