Intrepid Travelers are starting the New Year off strong with new music. The Buffalo 6-piece have released a double single, pairing “You Gotta Work” and “Up To You” as they look towards a brighter 2021.
A Buffalo-based improvisational rock band that has been around since 2013, Intrepid Travelers were revitalized in 2020 with some significant lineup changes.
Bassist Zak Beutel was the first new addition, joining founding members Donny Frauenhofer (keys), Brian Calisto (guitar), and Jon Fohl (drums). Shortly after, two more travelers joined the group: Ellen Pieroni, formerly of Folkfaces (saxophone), and former Universe Shark frontman Adam Bronstein (guitar).
This new incarnation of Intrepid Travelers has been hitting the pavement hard since the summer, as hard as they can mid-pandemic. The band has been live-streaming the first three Tuesdays of each month as well as select holidays, while working on plenty of new material. The band was able to play a few live shows in the late summer/early fall – including a sold out double header on Halloween at Sportsmens Tavern and a socially-distanced IT Fest – but with the recent shutdown, IT decided to shift their focus to recording.
The newly released double single features two tracks, “You Gotta Work” (Pieroni/Frauenhofer) and “Up To You” (Calisto/Beutel/Fohl). Both tracks were recorded entirely at home, with mixing and mastering by Donny Frauenhofer.
These two tracks are a great representation of where the band is heading, and the amount of fun we’ve been having together.
Jon Fohl
The first track, “You Gotta Work,” a driving, Motown-inspired Lettuce-esque funk tune, will make you dance and leave you feeling empowered, and features dazzling guitar licks by Adam, tasty organ playing by Donny, a percussive bassline by Zak, and Ellen on lead vocals.
“Up To You” is more introspective, but just as catchy as the first track. You’ll be reeled in by Brian’s acoustic guitar playing, but be sure to stick around for him to shred later in the tune, and Jon displays his vocal abilities singing lead. The production value is especially great on “Up To You,” with congas from special guest Ryan Campbell, fun added background vocals over Brian’s guitar solo, catchy horn lines, and various sound and vocal effects.
This recording session was among the most rewarding and creatively fulfilling projects I’ve ever been a part of – self producing these tracks has the band energized and excited for more!
Adam Bronstein
The double single is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube, and Amazon Music.
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