Editors Note:I first noticed Donny Saraceno when his previous band Solfege Radio played a local basement. We had gone to write up the headliner and instead were blown away by this New Jersey band of very very young guys. There music was upbeat and memorable and they all worked the stage like pro's. Solfege disappeared on us but due to the power of social media Donny has remained.
Now I discover Donny is also a writer and offered to give us a glimpse of life on the road as he tours the country this summer. Stay tuned for a the ups and downs of the persuit of the rock and roll dream.
Hey all – I am Donny Saraceno, 21, from New Jersey. I enjoy hot steamy gossip and all things barbecued. I've been touring with various artists for three or more years now, which I am one hundred percent addicted to. And yes I am a pizza delivery boy when I am home. I am currently on a forty date U.S. Tour with my new band, "The Moms". I play drums (Dark Horse) (#holler@yoursponsors) and I have way too many opinions on the music business as it stands today. You will learn this
Day 1
Bayville NJ Fubar tonight – outdoor bar with live music – sounds rad right? Nope! It is surrounded by neighborhoods. My bands really loud. Isn't every band??! Cops came to shut the show down but didn"t issue a ticket. The promoter lies to us saying they did issue a ticket and that we ran a sixty five dollar bar tab . – dollar pbrs . ? Four of us didn't drink THAT much. Anyway . Guy calls it even . (Not even – (still a matter of 135 dollars missing ) certain band member wants to take a sign as a memento to always remember the amazing night. Gets caught . – we ended up paying our bar tab .
Until tomorrows shoddy story –
Day 2
Wilmington DE . Three bands dropped off the show . The moms and a group whose name I've since forgotten which consists of a guitar player/singer and a beat pad guy if that's what you call it. Very intimate show. So intimate that all three us moms are txting eachother things like "I'm uncomfortable"
Day 3
Newark DE Tonight – "you never know"
Its funny what situations will arise on the road- you never know what is going to happen. Tonight we were in Newark Delaware, the college town part of Udel. We played Mojo main on open mic night which we have never done before but heard we could play full band anyway. When we showed up, it felt like we walked into Mississippi . A band comprised of elderly gentlemen was killing it with a blues like grass roots sound to a room full of people not unlike the band. Older ( I say this because I'm 21) "handsome" (cause I think the elderly are adoreable) and full of smiles. And these guys were KILLING it. I felt out of our league and figured tonight can't go well.
Turns out. I was wrong. With the grace of a solo act keeping us from following these amazing group, we headed onto stage to play acoustic, something we've never done before besides the ten minutes we practiced in the van before the set. The response incredibly surprising and we sold the most merch tonight so far this tour. It is only the beginning of the run, but it is safe to say, you never know what is going to happen.
Three days in and thirty seven more to go.