The Northeast Collective is one of the coolest and original concepts I’ve come across when checking out new bands. They began as a collaborative project with 26 musicians who all live in the Northeast. The band was created by Chris Prestamo. Recently, The Northeast Collective released two singles, The War and Connie. Both songs are to promote their new album, Learning, Slowly, which is due for release on February 13th!
I was fortunate enough to get the chance to hear about the process of creating The Northeast Collective. I loved the concept of the band, having people from all over be a part of this movement, but I was still fuzzy on how it actually worked. With 26 people from all around the Northeast, how do they come together to record songs, perform shows, etc? “Each song was written by Christ Prestamo and then collatoratively created by The Northeast Collective (NEC). Rather than hiring a band or paying studio musicians, 26 of his closest friends that access several music scenes in the Northeast region of the US came to collaborate and create The Northeast Collective. Musicians came to various different recording locations, including Tone House studio, various churches, houses and rehearsal spaces. Chris and the NEC worked with producer Warren Trunz of Tone House Studio on the project. Warren’s unique ability to arrange and produce pop, rock and indie helped the project become what it is!” When performing live shows, The Northeast Collective is comprised of “a core team of 7 musicians; Ryan Albrecht, Luke Keating, Michael LaRocco, Daniel LaRocco, Elisha LaRocco, Jeremiah Titone and Chris Prestamo.”
The Northeast Collective’s new album set for release in a few weeks is represented by ten bands; 32 Pints (NY), Trade Winds (NY), Keep Flying (NJ), The Concussion Theory (VA), Floor Space (PA), Us & Them (TN), Hold Fast Hope (NY), Taytro (NY), JFK and The Assassins (NY) and Amber Lamps (NY). The fact that this many bands had a hand in creating this album is astonishing. Every band has their own sound and style; their own way of doing things. It is amazing that 26 musicians from different bands all supported one another and were able to come together to produce amazing music. With the first two singles being as good as they are, I can’t wait to see what this awesome group of musicians came up with for the rest of the album! Make sure to check back for updates on the The Northeast Collective’s new release!