The Alternate Routes are a fusion indie-pop band with a folk twist, but their approach to building a sturdy fan base in the Northeast has been fairly traditional: get in a van and go.
The Fairfield, Conn.-formed band has toured extensively since the release of their debut album, “Good and Reckless and True.” Now, they will bring their traveling act to the Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center (HRPAC) on Wednesday, July 28 at 7 p.m. in support of their second record, “A Sucker’s Dream.”
The performances are produced on the Weehawken waterfront at Lincoln Harbor by HRPAC, a non-profit organization that hopes to someday build a performing arts center in the township. In the meantime, HRPAC runs various free concert series throughout the year.
“We can’t wait to get back to touring.” – Eric Donnelly
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The five-piece band, with a sound they describe as “a hybrid vibe of rock ‘n’ roll grit and ghostly, meaningful balladry,” is the second act in HRPAC’s summer concert series that runs through Aug. 25.
But their intrinsic sense of pop melody has undoubtedly been polished on the road.
“Well, for the most part, it’s a lot of hotels, highways and dirty bars,” said lead guitarist Eric Donnelly. “But every now and then you get a day off to explore, and it makes it all worthwhile.”
The trained jazz guitarist said being able to travel across the country has been an unexpected pleasure on a rock tour.
“It’s great to see new parts of the country,” he said. “Especially when you’re doing it in a van. And seeing the band build and grow is always exciting.”
Hudson veterans
The band has been to Hudson County before, playing shows at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, but this will be their first time in Weehawken. The band is currently beginning work on a third album, which they will record in Nashville, Tenn., hopefully in time for release in the fall. “We’re literally cutting the tunes right now,” he said.
But true to form, the band will be back on the road as soon as possible.
“We love being on the road,” Donnelly said. “We can’t wait to get back to touring. You look forward to coming home, but it’s something you miss when it’s over.”
Folksy roots
The band formed seven years ago when founding members Donnelly and lead singer and guitarist Tim Warren were attending school at Fairfield University in Connecticut.
“We started playing together and writing and hanging out,” Donnelly said. “We’ve always sort of had a rotating cast of other guys coming in and out.”
The band finally found its current form when bassist Chip Johnson, guitarist Mike Sembos, and drummer Michael Stavitz joined up.
“Everybody gets to write and we all write straight-up rock ‘n’ roll tunes,” said Donnelly, “but with old country and folk twists.”
Hendrix, Clapton are influences
For Donnelly, finding a balance between flashy, interesting guitar work and playing that is easily digestible to his audience is at the forefront of his approach.
“Especially in the studio, it’s important to create something that’s fun to listen to and can really carry the song forward,” he said. “Less is definitely more.”
With early influences like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, the guitarist of 25 years said the longer he plays, the “less showy” he becomes.
“You kind of understand music more, and use more stylistic choice in your playing,” he said. “That’s what we’re all about now.”
For more information on the July 28 show, call (201) 716-4540 or visit HRPAC’s website: www.hrpac.org. For more information on the band, check out www.thealternateroutes.com.
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com