Elle Gallo

The first Eve Rising music and arts festival was conceived and created in Haverhill. A concert by women artists from the Merrimack Valley and beyond will benefit services for women and families in Greater Haverhill.

Bradford's Elle Gallo, frontwoman of a popular band that plays locally and throughout New England, has gathered a group of women musicians from several genres to perform on Sunday, July 18, at Winnekenni Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $10. Children 14 and younger will be admitted free.

"I believe strongly that when women unite for a common goal they are unstoppable. I also believe that the nurturing energy of women is precisely what the world needs today. This is why we chose to help empower women with our festival," Gallo said.

Organizers will donate the proceeds of the festival to Emmaus and the Lawrence YWCA. They would like to increase the number of agencies they can support and would welcome more sponsors and vendors.

"Our main priority is raising awareness and funds for the chosen charities, YWCA of Lawrence and Emmaus Inc. of Haverhill. The charities help women and families regain empowerment, and help with growth and development," said Tina Upton the festival's graphic designer and volunteer coordinator.

Performers are:

Karen Grenier, a New York native singer/songwriter who performs often in Provincetown.

Erinn Brown, described as a sultry singer/songwriter/musician, Brown performs solo or with a band, sometimes with fellow Eve Rising performer Alison Keslow.

Lisa Marie, a blues, R&B and rockabilly singer from Boston.

Jen Kearney, a Lowell musician who plays piano and guitar and writes and sings in a variety of styles, including funk, reggae, soul, Latin and rock 'n' roll.

Lydia Harrell, a jazz singer who relocated from Battle Creek, Mich., to Boston to pursue a music career.

Alison Keslow, a Boston-area bass player.

Julie Dougherty, a Boston-area folk performer since the 1960s, performs Irish, country folk, and pop folk, all in her original style.

Amy Petty,

Laura Vecchione, who arrived in Boston by way of New York, has a southern style that belies her northern roots. Lori Diamond, from the western part of Massachusetts, is a singer/songwriter, pianist.

Patti Derosa, another New York transplant who landed in Boston, performs music with a Caribbean beat.

The Elle Gallo band, after four years together, is making a name for itself around New England.

Haverhill comedian AmyTee will keep things moving between sets.

Vendors will include Circle of Wisdom, a metaphysical book store based in Andover. Owner Cathy Kneeland will sell books, music, crystals, jewelry, incense and gifts.

"The Eve Rising Festival is a great way for me to join with other creative women and make a difference in the lives of women and families in need," Kneeland said.

A few popular psychic and intuitive readers will offer 15-minute readings for $15 each.

With less than three weeks until the festival, Gallo said the organizers would welcome a local company to sponsor the event.

Portable toilets, a sound company and tents are still needed, Gallo said, and donations of goods or money are welcome.

"The big picture and main intent of this incredible event, is to not only support, but educate and empower women of all walks of life. From getting resources for basic life needs, to learning exciting ways to constantly grow and expand their spirits, the goal here is empowerment," said performer Lori Diamond. - Haverhill Gazette

A performing songwriter/friend of mine asked me to sing harmonies for her performance at an upcoming festival. Lori Diamond is a musical force to be reckoned with, a mom of three, with a voice to die for. Not only has she inspired me to get back to my own piano-playing roots, but in a world where people can be so catty and cutthroat with each other, Lori is a generous spirit of collaboration. We are both moms always working for life balance – it’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in trying to navigate this “follow your bliss” life, and that there are others who are in the same boat and willing to help. She keeps an impressive performance schedule at www.loridiamond.net.

Lori is one of the performers in the upcoming Eve Rising Festival, Sunday, July 18 at the Winnikenni Castle in Haverhill, MA. The festival is spearheaded by Elle Gallo, an amazing performer in her own right. Elle dreams big – she wants to change the world. Starting the Eve Rising festival is how she plans to do it – featuring female performers across musical genres, and raising money for charities and organizations that empower women. Elle’s music website is www.ellegallo.com, and more information about the Eve Rising Festival is at online at http://everising.org.

I asked Lori and Elle to answer three questions for me:

What drives you to be a positive and helping force for other women, rather than competing with them?


Lori: I think it’s incredibly important for women to work together to raise each other up. Too often we feel as if there is only room for one at the top – when in reality, success is both abundant and boundless!


Elle: I’m driven by an inner certainty that when women come together with honesty, sincerity and compassion, there isn’t a thing we cannot accomplish together. Part of the female DNA is giving birth – we are capable of sowing the seeds of new ideas, new ways of thinking and approaching challenges then nurturing them, feeding them, loving them into fruition. Not only are we capable, but we are responsible for this! As well, I know that the key to a happy and successful life is to cause others to have what we feel we are lacking in our own lives. One woman liberated affects the whole, and the contagious energy of the freeing of spirit can affect the climate of our communities.

Was there an a-ha moment or event in your life that made it obvious that this is how you want to be? Have you always been that way?


Lori: Unfortunately, it took me longer than I would care to admit… but, luckily, somewhere down the line, I figured out that everyone brings valuable gifts to the table, and it’s not up to me to offer judgment. Offering support and upliftment is not only easier, but is profoundly more joyful – for everyone involved!


Elle: I’m not sure that there was ever a single a-ha moment that set me on this path. I’ve certainly always embodied a compassion for humanity; but perhaps my varied personal history caused these seeds to grow within me.

Just in the short time since I started having children I’ve been “that” mom who stood in the grocery line with 3 babies (age 3, 1 and a newborn) after hours of very challenging (torturous, really) shopping – at my wits end, fighting tears - to be told that my credit card was declined -3 times in one month. I’ve also been the soccer-mom proudly signing my children up for one of the more expensive private schools in the area.

My younger years exposed me to high-risk situations as a rebellious teen, and brought me to the State Senate as a spokesperson for the importance of open communication between adults and teens. I walked in dark alleys with pennies in my pocket and in the spotlights of Atlantic City Convention Center wearing expensive gowns and donning the crown of Miss MA. I’ve had lunch with friends in the homeless community of Boston, and champagne with celebrities and dignitaries. In my early 20’s I was diagnosed with severe depression, and today help others to change their mindset in order to achieve lasting happiness. I’ve been a breakfast bar waitress, a hairdresser, a special needs teacher, a momma, and an entertainer. I’ve covered the gamut of social circles and emotional levels, so I think I have a pretty solid understanding of people. Perhaps these are the reasons I care so deeply about other people’s trials and am committed to their successful outcomes.

I’ve spent years learning the philosophies of different “religions” and ways of thinking. They have stirred my spirit and awoken me from slumber. I feel a responsibility to share the approaches that changed my life with other women. We are all sisters, after all.


And – how do you see it working for you as a result?


Lori: Does it work for me? I’d say so. I’ve only had a couple of folks challenge me on my “style”, but as cliché as it may sound, in the end, I listen to my heart.


Elle: How have these outlooks served me? I have the most meaningful relationships with those around me. I have been blessed with a support system that overwhelms me with gratitude every single day. I AM truly happy knowing that I am fulfilling my destiny in this lifetime.

About Eve Rising’s Charities

This year, Eve Rising is a benefit for Emmaus of Haverhill, MA and the YWCA of Greater Lawrence. Emmaus is a non profit organization that provides housing and services for homeless individuals and families, developing affordable housing and helping people to rebuild their lives. http://www.emmausinc.org/

The YWCA’s mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA provides all kinds of support services – in situations of domestic violence, sexual assault, transitional housing need, women’s health advocacy and gender-specific programs for girls. On their website, a statistic is listed that the YWCA helps 32 women to secure restraining orders every week; 46% of women have repeat mammograms through the YWCA’s programs, 139 calls are received by their Domestic Violence Program, that the average household income of families using YWCA childcare is $15,000, and that 88% of donation dollars go to fund programs like these. http://www.ywcalawrence.org/donate/index.asp

If you can get to Haverhill, MA on Sunday, July 18 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm – join Elle, Lori, and the other amazing women giving their time and talent to raise money for moms helping moms and women helping women. If not – consider looking through the websites of the amazing charities and sending a donation, or spreading the word about them. Or – find charities local to you that do the same. Whatever you can do, whatever you can give, however you can help will be appreciated.

Get inspired – a little help goes a long way!

?Kim Jennings, Guest blogger
www.kimjenningsmusic.com
www.birchbeerrecords.com - Mamapalooza

The Elle Gallo Band can best be described as a rocked up funk band. The four piece play a lot of classic rock in a funky style and they speed up a lot of R&B classics.

Gallo started her second set by sitting on a male patron’s lap and singing happy birthday to him. There is nothing like a lead singer who makes a bold first impression. The band launched into her original “Sweet Addiction” and she and her band mates had the groove going on right away This band wastes no times pulling people onto the dance floor. Gallo found the right space to launch her svelte voice.

Elle Gallo Band went into Gallo‘s original “You Need To Be With Me” as Gallo’s vocal take brought out all of the mysterious elements of this piece. She pulled the band into the depths of soul. Her guitar ace Ross Hahn plunged the song into the firey furnace with his high pitched cry of a solo.

When they did the Rufus song “Tell Me Something Good” it was reassuring to see that guitarist Hahn knew how to use his pedals to get the guitar sound right Unlike other guitarists, he actually had that heavy whine effect going on. A touch of rasp in Gallo’s voice made her real fire in the belly soulful on this one.

During Bill Withers “Use Me” Mr. Hahn had to conjure up a lot of sound because a four piece doesn’t have all the instruments Withers recorded it with. Gallo belted this one, and it got everybody on the dance floor or at least had them nodding to the beat.

Gallo’s vocal approach captured the sing-song lilt on “Maybe” and the swaying crowd was under its spell, and they got to sing a verse of “it feels so good, it feels so right,” and it is clear Gallo’s following have a lot of fun at her shows. I think it might even be the same exact group of folks who go to most of her shows.

EGB performed an uptempo, rocked up version of “Son Of A Preacher Man.” This worked, as Gallo likes to rock things up a bit. Refreshing too, to hear a song you’ve been hearing for 30 years done with a new twist. There was more guitar magic on this number too, with Hahn using his high octave pedal to hit that really high note, guitar singing quality.

“Whipping Post” sounded strange at first at a quicker tempo, but Gallo and her boys still built up the song structure as is required, they only did it their way. The beat and groove of “Whipping Post” can motivate men to move mountains. It has a powerhouse rhythmic foundation and drummer Sergio Bellotti and bass player David Gagnon built it up like carpenters of sound as Gallo belted out the immortal lyrics.

I found myself wanting to call the Elle Gallo Band the Speedy Band because they seem to prefer brisk tempos. They were given an earlier quitting time than they thought going in, and maybe that contributed to it. Yet, everything seemed to work out well for the band as the songs still had structure and quality musicianship and the audience seemed to know what to expect and enjoyed it.

Gallo performed her original “Yes, I Am” with punch and vigor and she brought a hippie coolness to Grace Potter’s “Stop The Bus.” Another cool modern song was Potter‘s “Ahh Mary,” and the wild man guitar phrasing of Hahn made it happen with swagger.

Janis Joplin’s old time roots song “Me And Bobby Magee” got couples swaying to its summer afternoon take your time easy going feeling. Gallo got real melodic on it, and, during its wild finish, she belted, belted, belted the hell out of it, ringing as much emotional catharsis out of it as possible.

The Grog was a weird place to be last night. There used to be a designated men’s room and a designated ladies’ room right next to the stage. Now, each restroom just said men/women, meaning either sex could use them. I think some patrons misunderstood, as I saw men and women going into the restrooms in pairs and sometimes in groups of three, as in two men and one woman. Jeez, I never knew Newburyport was so wild.

Getting back to the Elle Gallo Band. Gallo had someone pull a chair out onto the dance floor for her to stand on during her final number, an acoustic ballad version of “Over The Rainbow.” Her fans gathered around her and they all put their arms around each other’s shoulders for a collective emotional experience during this timeless song of hope. It seemed to be important to Gallo and her fans that they close out this way, and they were into it.

Elle Gallo Band are certainly entertaining rockers, with elements of blues, funk, R&B, and some modern stuff thrown in. They have plenty of talent, a hip way of arranging standards and covers, and Gallo’s original material also stands strong. - Bill Copeland Music News

he first Eve Rising concert Sunday at Winnekenni Castle turned up the volume on awareness of women's and family causes in the Merrimack Valley.

Musicians entertained a steady crowd for the six-hour concert. Proceeds from the concert — organized by musician Elle Gallo of Bradford — will support organizations like the YWCA of Lawrence and Emmaus.

An hour into the concert, Gretchen Arntz, development director for Emmaus, an agency that provides homes and shelter for the local homeless population and people in transition, spoke to the audience.

"While you're home tonight in your homes and you go to sleep in your own beds, remember there are people out there who don't have their own beds or homes to return to," Arntz said.

"We need more affordable housing to solve our homeless problem," Arntz pointed out. "That's the problem; that's part of the solution," she said.

In response to organizers' donations, Lawrence YWCA Executive Director Mary O'Brien said, "Music raises the human spirit and connects people in joyful and soulful ways."

O'Brien went on to say, "The women, teens, and children in need whom we serve at the YWCA of Greater Lawrence, many of whom have become homeless because of abuse or violence, will benefit greatly from the generosity of the musicians and artists who performed at Eve Rising. Their spirits and hopes will be raised by knowing that there are women in the world who care enough about helping others to give of themselves and their incredible talents."

Lisa Bornstein and Joy Rose shared announcing duties, introducing each musician or group with a brief background.

The musicians played in sets of 25 minutes each throughout the afternoon, often in temperatures close to 90 degrees in the sun.

Twelve of Eastern New England's best female musicians played the concert: Jen Kearney, Lori Diamond, Laura Vecchione, Julie Dougherty, Erinn Brown, Elle Gallo, Amy Petty, Alison Keslow, Karen Grenier, Carrie Rowan, Lisa Marie and Patti DeRosa.

Rosa opened with a repertoire of mix ballad theme music laced with jazz tones and played finger-picking style on a six-string guitar. After playing a few of her own pieces, she segued into a piece about her Italian ancestry, and there she finished her set.

A musician from Northboro, Rowan performed several pieces from her recent CD, "Almost Home," a collection songs dedicated to her father, Richard Rowan.

Lori Diamond of Andover harmonized with Rowan throughout her set.

Introduced as a legitimate corporate drop-out, Rowan worked for a decade in software sales. She made the choice to make her music her work, and she now plays to schools, and teaches children's classes in music and instrumentation.

"I play two kinds of music," Rowan said. "I play for the kids and teach them about it. Then at night I go out and play my big girl music," she said.

Later in the afternoon, after some joking around with the announcer about how to pronounce the city's name, Mayor James Fiorentini complimented Eve Rising organizers for their work.

"They put this together in 90 days," Fiorentini said of how well Gallo and her team had done on such short notice.

He pointed out that unlike other cities of comparable size, Haverhill has a great venue in Winnekenni Castle.

"We're lucky, in Haverhill, to have a place where people can find entertainment like this concert or fairs and other events. Winnekenni is a great venue for the variety of events that Haverhill has to offer its people in local parks," the mayor said.

Fiorentini said he hoped concertgoers recognized what a great venue Haverhill has in a festival that brings people together to help a charity, and hopes to see the Eve Rising Festival on Haverhill's agenda, again.

Gallo described herself as "overwhelmed, inspired and humbled" by those with whom she worked to organize and run the festival.

"You created an amazing day. The musicians, the presenters, the emcees, the special guests, the cooks, the local businesses who donated and supported, the vendors and the incredible volunteers who worked all day long in the sun, Emmaus House and The YWCA of Greater Lawrence for what they do every day, The Eve Rising committee, all of the behind the scenes folks who helped along the way, and all of you who came out to enjoy, support, patronize vendors, and applaud musicians. You are brilliant!"

As of press time, organizers were counting receipts and did not have an estimate of the size of the crowd or the size of the donations that would be possible from the event.

While the musicians played, most of the crowd found shade under trees, nearby bushes or under their own beach umbrellas. A few brave souls either from curiosity or want of a cold drink ventured out into the 90-plus degree heat to visit vendor tents.

Mill City Productions of Lowell, a nationally acclaimed audio system company that produces the audio part of the Lowell Summer Music Series and other Lowell music events, managed the audio system for Eve Rising.

"We wanted the best we could get, and Brian Lynch at Mill City did a great job for us, and it's nice to have someone from the Merrimack Valley," Gallo said.

Local restaurants — Sal's, Maria's, Olivia's, Kreugers, The Roma and the Tap — donated food and drink for the musicians.

These vendors set up booths at the concert:

American Laser Center

Blue Tail Photography

Boston Militia Football team

Circles of Wisdom, circlesofwisdom.com

Commonwealth Computers

Danielle Landy, baked goods

Dark Flower Bead by Cara Fleming, darkflowerbead.etsy.com

Emmaus House

Eve Rising

Fletcher Community Farm, Poli Jutras, fletchercommunityfarms.com

Jean Pierre-Tshitenge, tribal arts and jewelry

Jenny Amara, Mom's Art Studio

Jessica Kirk Photography, jesskirkphotography.vpweb.com

Jesus Cachimuel clothing and accessories

Jonny's Ice Cream of Georgetown, Karyn Quinn

Julz Fogg & Karthyrn DeMarco - Hoop Garden - hula hoops, hoopgarden.com

Just Kim Accessories facebook.com/pages/justkim-Accessories

Leah Sofia

Love Lee by Bev

Made By Survivors, Coleen Magowen, madebysurvivors.com

Mammapalooza

Massachusetts Midwives Alliance, massmidwives.org

MotherRoot Midwifery, Nechama midwife, motherrootmidwifery.com

New England Surplus

New York Life Free Child ID services with Vanessa Cutera

Noisy Bird Studios, artfire.com/users/NoisyBirdStudio

Papa Ginos of Bradford

Peterson Landscaping

Pick Your Poison Cakes

Rae's Gourmet Lemonade, Kettlecorn, Friend Dough, Dee & Ann

Sophia Barone jewelry, sophiabarone.com

Tay Wetherbee, artist

Vitamin Water, Wendy Gertel

Wally Jaquez - Jaquez parties - face painting party planning, myspace.com/wcakes

Winnekenni Castle Concessions - Haverhill Gazette

In a quiet neighborhood in Bradford, where perfectly manicured lawns and elaborate swing sets highlight every plot, two residents live a double life.

They are dedicated and working parents during the day, but on nights and weekends, Jim Wyse and Elle Gallo are rock stars, inspiring clubgoers to sing and dance with their original songs and catchy covers.

Better known to some as Acoustic Soul, Gallo and Wyse live just a few blocks away from each other, but didn’t meet until Wyse put out an ad looking for a singer and Gallo sent out fliers looking for a guitarist the very same day.

“We had lived in this neighborhood for eight years and had never seen each other,” Wyse remembered.

They exchanged music samples via the Internet, then Wyse asked Gallo to join him for his solo gig at Keon’s Bistro in Haverhill, and their act became a mainstay at the trendy downtown hot spot.

“It’s kind of interesting. We start playing together and everything just flows,” Gallo said. “We’ve had amazing responses. Really, it’s been nothing short of magic.”

For Gallo, who once sang the national anthem at a sold-out Red Sox game, baring her soul for just 10 or 20 people was too intimate a setting, but once she got over her fear, her experiences at Keon’s and other small venues became the most rewarding.

“I think fear is a great indication of where our potential lies,” she said, “and I think we should be running as fast as we can toward it. I’ve learned more about music this year than I have in my life. You have to connect to the audience or it’s not a great night.”

Acoustic Soul and Keon’s have parted ways amicably so they can better serve their customers and fans, but interest in the pair has grown. Their sound, which can be soothing at times and peppy at others, has been drawing crowds in their brief time as a duo.

“When we play in the area, they’re always asking where we’re from,” Wyse said. “They assume we’re from New York or Nashville, and surprised to find out we’re from right here in Haverhill.”

Gallo and Wyse have a lot of exciting things on their plate in the coming months. They added other parts to their duo this past March to form a new band named On The Rocks. As they balance their duo act and their larger band, their schedules have been filling up. Their next performance in Haverhill will be Oct. 26 at the Chit Chat Lounge.

Acoustic Soul will release an album of original songs in the spring through Briola Records. If their self-written work takes off, they’d like to perform showcases of their original songs and hopefully open some big-name festivals.

“I’d love to open up at Riverfest or a show like that,” Gallo said. “I could see that as our next big step.”

But getting to this point in their careers has not been easy. And both Gallo and Wyse took very different roads until their paths crossed.

Wyse, originally from Portland, Maine, grew up in a musical household. His mother taught guitar and piano, but he didn’t really get into the art until college where he learned flamenco guitar from a professor at the University of Maine. Then, after moving to Massachusetts, he kept taking classes at the Boston Conservatory and the New England Conservatory.

Gallo, who hails from Saugus, was singing at an early age. Her school principal called her mother when she was in the first grade and encouraged her to come to the school to see her daughter perform.

“She said, ‘Your daughter is on stage, and she’s amazing,’” Gallo remembered.

Gallo’s next step was pageants.

“I did it mainly for the talent portions, thinking maybe a talent scout would see me,” she said, “but then I got bitten by the bug and I had to go on.”

In 1993, Gallo was named Miss Massachusetts and went on to compete in the Miss America pageant. The next year, she wrote her first album, but it was never released because starting her family became her top priority. Eventually she thought her days of performing were behind her.

“I think musicians have a calling,” Gallo said. “I had decided I wasn’t going to pursue this, but it doesn’t go away. I think we’re all put here to share our gifts.”

It has been difficult balancing a personal life with the pressures and demands of a career in music. Wyse, the father of an 11-year-old daughter, and Gallo, a mother to three children under the age of 7, find themselves at gigs until the wee hours of the morning on some nights, then they must be up early for day jobs and morning parenting.

Wyse jokes that the relationships between bandmates can be equally as difficult. “Being in a band is like having five girlfriends,” he said with a laugh.

Gallo helps her husband with the two companies he owns and Wyse is the webmaster for UMass Boston, so their nonmusical endeavors take up a good deal of time. They estimate that their music career takes up 20 to 30 hours per week.

“It’s a job in itself,” Gallo said. “You have to keep the band’s energy up, and you’re up there sweaty from performing for three or four hours. It’s a tremendous amount of work keeping the crowd entertained.”

Gallo also added that all the off-stage promotion and rehearsals take time as well, a reality that their closest friends often don’t understand.

“To your friends, you fall off the map,” Gallo said. “All they see is when we’re on stage, and they don’t understand that off-stage we’re still working.”

“It’s a business really,” Wyse added. “As fun as it is, it’s still a business.”

For more information about Acoustic Soul and On The Rocks and to hear clips of their material, visit Jim Wyse at www.myspace.com/jimwyse and Elle Gallo at www.myspace.com/ellegallo.

- Cara Spilsbury, Haverhill Gazette, MA

Elle Gallo’s first recording
was at the tender age of five
and her first stage appearance
at six. Twenty some years
later, with a dynamic voice and
something meaningful to say, her
musical road less traveled is anything
but that of your typical
singer-songwriter.
A self-admitted former rebellious
high school chick turned
beauty pageant queen, she eventually
won the title of Miss
Massachusetts in 1993. Then, in
1996, while attending college and
working two jobs, Elle had the
opportunity to record a country
album and work for a short stint as
the singer for the New Hampshirebased
country music band
Cheyenne.
She stopped performing in 1998
to start a family, and it was while
pregnant with her second child
that she discovered and fell in love
with music of blues and soul artist
Susan Tedeschi. Learning nearly
all of Tedeschi’s songs from beginning
to end, Elle put together the
band Obsidian Groove, soon considered
a fine Tedeschi tribute act.
But once again Elle had to put
music aside to welcome baby number
three. Last year, Elle returned
to performing once again, and
began to write new original material
while seeking musicians to perform
with. Elle first formed
Acoustic Soul, a duo with guitarist
Jim Wyse, and then launched a successful
cover band called On The
Rocks. The current lineup which
also known as the Elle Gallo Band
also includes bass player Dave
Gagnon and drummer Mike
Albano. On Aug. 31, Elle will perform
solo at the Boardwalk Inn in
Hampton Beach, N.H., which will
include a 45-minute tribute set to
Susan Tedeschi. Coincidentally,
Tedeschi herself will be playing
that same night right next door at
Hampton Beach Casino.
Now working on an original
album she hopes will be out by next
summer, Elle’s family is prepared
to pack up and tour to support if
need be. Until then, look for local
performances of her various live
acts and hear some smoldering
song samples by going to
myspace.com/ellegallo.
Catch the soul-driven Elle Gallo
Band at The Pump House in
Southbridge this Friday, Aug. 24.
F - The Villager-Mark Remburke

Elle Gallo & On The Rocks
Live review – July 25, The Rock Pond Restaurant, Georgetown, MA

By Georgetown Fats
August 2008
For a town of approximately 7,500, Georgetown residents who prefer the live music experience are fortunate to have two local restaurants that book live music on weekends. Having ventured out recently to review one of my personal favorite bands, the weekend was dedicated to heading outside of my usual area to check out a live act getting a lot of buzz in the North Shore and Merrimac Valley area.

Out of Haverhill, Elle Gallo is a pint-sized vocalist with a great big voice.

Accompanied by “On The Rocks,” some of the best blues rock musicians the North Shore and Merrimac Valley have to offer, I managed to sneak in unannounced in the middle of the first set at The Rock Pond in Georgetown.

Bassist-vocalist Dave Gagnon was entertaining the crowd with his rendition of “Mustang Sally.” Gagnon, drummer Sean Davies, and guitarist Jim Wyse had the near capacity crowd up and dancing. From there, the band kicked off “Voodoo Woman.” After a couple of quick last minute sips of wine, Gallo – no pun intended - roared into the tune. She flaunted a voice which, while being technically impressive, also possesses the grit to add life to a set which relied heavily on juke box friendly material.

This vocal grit was on display with a rocking rendition of “Bobby McGee.” The great Janis Joplin may have passed away 38 years ago, but Elle Gallo & On The Rocks honored Janis by rocking the dancing crowd with a strong cover version of this classic.

For the proprietor of The Rock Pond, Elle Gallo & On The Rocks may have rocked just a tad harder than he would have liked, as he made a quick dash to the band to reduce the volume. For a remarkable bar room, which resembles an old church with high ceilings and a long bar, volume levels at The Rock Pond need to be constantly monitored as the restaurant attached to the bar area was still open, and the majority of clientele is either an older set or a family crowd.

After a quick adjustment, the band ripped into “Son of a Preacher Man.” Once again Gallo and her crew showed the technical ability to dive into a classic and add just enough soul to make the tune their own. All too often, cover acts resort to classic tunes for shows and stick to note-for-note renditions. It takes a real strong band to take set lists full of jukebox friendly material and make the material its own.

After the Dusty Springfield classic, Gallo took a moment to announce the next tune for the evening. “Am I the One,” a tune written and recorded by Beth Hart, slowed the evening down and illustrated that the band can rock, but they can also pour passion and energy into a power ballad.

Next, Gallo announced there was one more tune before the break, and Wyse laid into his six-string to produce that unmistakable riff which is “Road House Blues.” Gallo roared her vocals, Gagnon and Davies powered the rhythm section - which allowed Wyse the room to blister a guitar solo that managed to compromise one of his strings. One popped string later “Road House Blues” came to a rocking close.

The band thanked the crowd, and navigated through the dance floor to take quick breather. After procuring a copy of Yes I Am, Gallo’s new EP, I left The Rock Pond both impressed with the location and Elle Gallo & On The Rocks.

- Boston Blues Society

Elle Gallo Band rocks Wingate Street

By Cara Spilsbury
Staff Writer


Visitors to Haverhill's Wingate Street can always expect to find unique artwork like paintings and jewelry. But on Friday night, Aug. 1, home-grown music rocked the road.

The only rule for admission: The event was BYOC. Bring your own chair.

The free concert, called Friday Night Live, featured the Elle Gallo Band, a local Americana blues band that covers songs by the likes of Susan Tedeschi, Beth Hart, Melissa Etheridge and Grace Potter, but also plays original music.

The show took place in the middle of the street that makes up Haverhill's arts district, and the road was closed to vehicles. Speakers, instruments, microphones and a bevy of wires to power all the equipment were placed halfway down Wingate Street, between the Peddler's Daughter and Margot's Gallery.

Gallo was happy to see such a pleasant crowd come out for her show.

"They attracted a really, really great group of people," she said. "They were so appreciative and very welcoming to us."

A free show like Friday Night Live can be nerve-wracking for artists because without ticket sales, there's no way of knowing how many people will show up. But the concert, which started at 7 p.m., drew about 50 to 70 people, Gallo estimated from her vocal front-woman vantage point.

"A year and a half ago, I would have said the unknown part adds a lot of pressure," Gallo said. "But now we've been playing so many lounges, bars and clubs that 70 percent of our shows are unknown. I'm kind of used to the pressure. It doesn't matter to me if just two people come. I'm going to play my heart out for them and give them a good show. It's a bonus when a big crowd shows up."

Just as they began playing their last song, the ominous clouds above finally broke and the rain began to fall.

But before that, the crowd got a good mix of lively covers and Gallo originals that can't be heard anywhere else, except for her song "Sweet Addiction," which has been in rotation on 92.5 FM, The River. The radio station's studio is a stone's throw from Wingate Street, in Haverhill's downtown.

The concert on Wingate Street was a special chance for Gallo to showcase some of her original work, songs that get shelved in favor of cover songs and jukebox classics at the bars and clubs she often plays at. The party crowd wants to hear songs they know and can sing along to, but the audience on Wingate Street was eager to hear her own unique music.

Gallo was even more thrilled when audience members approached her after the show and complimented the songs she had written.

"Feedback is always good when you're aspiring to do something," she said. "You want people to respond."

She estimated that there were about 50 to 70 people who turned out for the show, including many faces the Bradford resident knows well.

"I'd love to do it again," she said. "It was nice to do it in your hometown, with all your neighbors in the audience
- The haverhill Gazette, MA

Elle Gallo & On The Rocks
Live review – July 25, The Rock Pond Restaurant, Georgetown, MA

By Georgetown Fats
August 2008
For a town of approximately 7,500, Georgetown residents who prefer the live music experience are fortunate to have two local restaurants that book live music on weekends. Having ventured out recently to review one of my personal favorite bands, the weekend was dedicated to heading outside of my usual area to check out a live act getting a lot of buzz in the North Shore and Merrimac Valley area.

Out of Haverhill, Elle Gallo is a pint-sized vocalist with a great big voice.

Accompanied by “On The Rocks,” some of the best blues rock musicians the North Shore and Merrimac Valley have to offer, I managed to sneak in unannounced in the middle of the first set at The Rock Pond in Georgetown.

Bassist-vocalist Dave Gagnon was entertaining the crowd with his rendition of “Mustang Sally.” Gagnon, drummer Sean Davies, and guitarist Jim Wyse had the near capacity crowd up and dancing. From there, the band kicked off “Voodoo Woman.” After a couple of quick last minute sips of wine, Gallo – no pun intended - roared into the tune. She flaunted a voice which, while being technically impressive, also possesses the grit to add life to a set which relied heavily on juke box friendly material.

This vocal grit was on display with a rocking rendition of “Bobby McGee.” The great Janis Joplin may have passed away 38 years ago, but Elle Gallo & On The Rocks honored Janis by rocking the dancing crowd with a strong cover version of this classic.

For the proprietor of The Rock Pond, Elle Gallo & On The Rocks may have rocked just a tad harder than he would have liked, as he made a quick dash to the band to reduce the volume. For a remarkable bar room, which resembles an old church with high ceilings and a long bar, volume levels at The Rock Pond need to be constantly monitored as the restaurant attached to the bar area was still open, and the majority of clientele is either an older set or a family crowd.

After a quick adjustment, the band ripped into “Son of a Preacher Man.” Once again Gallo and her crew showed the technical ability to dive into a classic and add just enough soul to make the tune their own. All too often, cover acts resort to classic tunes for shows and stick to note-for-note renditions. It takes a real strong band to take set lists full of jukebox friendly material and make the material its own.

After the Dusty Springfield classic, Gallo took a moment to announce the next tune for the evening. “Am I the One,” a tune written and recorded by Beth Hart, slowed the evening down and illustrated that the band can rock, but they can also pour passion and energy into a power ballad.

Next, Gallo announced there was one more tune before the break, and Wyse laid into his six-string to produce that unmistakable riff which is “Road House Blues.” Gallo roared her vocals, Gagnon and Davies powered the rhythm section - which allowed Wyse the room to blister a guitar solo that managed to compromise one of his strings. One popped string later “Road House Blues” came to a rocking close.

The band thanked the crowd, and navigated through the dance floor to take quick breather. After procuring a copy of Yes I Am, Gallo’s new EP, I left The Rock Pond both impressed with the location and Elle Gallo & On The Rocks.

- The Boston Blues Society