Horn-rock New Paltz band What? has been part of the DIY scene for more than five years and they continue to rock the Hudson Valley today.
Who are What?
With new bands forming every year in New Paltz, What? is a fan favorite in the small college town. Its band members are Dan Steen on guitar, Ryan Perrone on vocals and trombone, Jeremiah Mahoney on bass Alex Endres on drums, Owen Moore on tenor & baritone saxophone, and Jared Nelson on guitar and percussion, They all met at the local university SUNY-New Paltz through the music program. Previously, most members were part of musical groups in their high schools but What? is the first band they’ve been a member of.
The band has been operating under the name, What?, since 2016. They released their first album Lavender Lounge in 2020 including some fan favorite songs like “Napkin Party” and “The Cloud.” They confirmed that a sophomore album is in the making which will likely come out early this upcoming year.
The entire band contributes to their original music, but Perrone does most of the writing. “When I write a song, I really have this band in mind. It’s structured, but it’s always loose because I want everyone to kind of give their voice into the piece,” he told NYS Music.
Tours
Although they frequently travel outside of the state, they stay true to their New Paltz beginnings. They got their start playing at bars in New Paltz like Snug Harbor and Bacchus. Whenever they return to these venues, they always pull a packed audience with them. On Aug 23 they will be back in their hometown at a newer bar and restaurant, The Lemon Squeeze.
Touring to Portland, Maine and Burlington, Vermont, the band spends a lot of time on the road but sharing their music beyond the bars of New Paltz is something they aspire to continue. Last year What? performed at the iconic Mercury Lounge in NYC and this past March they played at another historic venue, Colony in Woodstock. “That fulfills something in my heart and soul just to be able to go to some random spot in upstate New York with five other fellas,” Steen said.
Next month, they will be back for more shows in the Hudson Valley like Kingston, NY on Aug 8 as well as Wakefield, RI on Aug 11. You can watch all of their performances on their YouTube channel and keep up with What? through their Instagram here.
The post What’s Next For New Paltz Jam Band, What? appeared first on NYS Music.
