Don DiLego & band at The Bowery Electric. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Alt-country artist, Don DiLego, gave us a foot-stomping performance at the Bowery Electric this month during his impressive record release show for his new album Magnificent Ram A. Along with a bottle of bourbon and a few bales of hay, DiLego’s astonishing seven-piece band rocked the stage as they wooed the sounds of western Americana and some feel good rock n’ roll in front of a packed-audience.
Coupled with fellow indie-folk artists, Linda Draper and Emily Duff, the Velvet-Elk crooner commanded an impression collection of musical arrangements that gently carried the crowd through a cowboy’s journey – synonymous with the old whiskey saloons and boot strapping jamborees of the great west. DiLego’s outstanding performance provided a collage of rich complex melodies that had us both moving our hips and singing along to the indie-folk singer’s dynamic vocals paired masterfully with a gritty acoustic sound.
Don DiLego performs at his record release show. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
DiLego performed the majority of his songs from Magnificent Ram A throughout that steamy Thursday evening, portraying his innovative delicacies both on stage and in his new record. DiLego’s music provided a range of indie-folk harmonies, graceful melodies and the pride of blue-collar heartland rock. DiLego’s mastery was illustrated perfectly on stage with the harmonious beauty “Go Pack Your Suitcase” and the soothing gospel-esque tune of “Running in Place with a Desperate Heart.” With every heart-felt note, DiLego’s caressing vocals and comforting rhythms passionately embraced the crowd, encouraging us to follow his carefully orchestrated compositions that profoundly detail DiLego’s precise musicianship.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
DiLego’s complex sound and on stage depth, however, howled for audiences to jump on their feet during DiLego’s alt-country jams, “Drive Like a Pirate” and “I’m on Fire.” Here, we witnessed a contrast to DiLego’s phonic sound with a gritty savory arrangement to his music along with an his incredible relationship with his already endearing fans, mustering them together as they sung and dance to his Americana tunes. DiLego’s country anthem, “The Westside Oak” had us all stomping our feet and clapping, revealing the versatility that exists with DiLego’s on-stage presence.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Linda Draper and Emily Duff provided a perfect mesh for DiLego’s record release show portraying both indie-folk harmonies and gospel-esque chords to the brewing audience for DiLego’s headline set. Draper’s tranquil vocals and in-depth storytelling delighted the on-hands crowd, drawing them closer to her tender musical arrangements that soothed listeners as they eased their way into the Bowery’s main stage.
Linda Draper performs at The Bowery Electric. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
Duff’s acoustic trio provided an incredible blend of folk, gospel and heartland rock n’ roll throughout their impressive set. Along with guitarist Scott Aldrich and Skip Ward on the “gut bucket bass,” Duff’s sensational compositions and powerful lyrical ability provided audiences with an array of bible-belt blues and Americana novelties.
Emily Duff performs at The Bowery Electric. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
After witnessing Don DiLego's incredible performance, it is safe to say that the indie-folk rocker is in a class of his own. Gathering amongst the sounds of old country and contemporary rock, DiLego has set the bar for how the sound of modern country should be. His ingenious lyrical ability and savvy storytelling technique places us, as an audience, in the boots of the modern cowboy, and within the heart and pride of blue-collar Americana, in each of his works.
Don DiLego at The Bowery Electric. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.
DiLego’s dynamic energy on-stage and the utilization of his flourished cohesive sound, makes him one of the best singer-songwriters in the genre. DiLego’s emerging status within the alt-country scene has made him a must-see act whose music we highly recommend for you to listen. His new album, Magnificent Ram A, is out now on digital, streaming and vinyl via Velvet Elk Records/One Little Indian. Follow and listen to Don DiLego today!
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