Since their inception, Connecticut-based funk-soul octet West End Blend—comprised of vocalist Erica T. Bryan, drummer Sam Horan, bassist Tom Sullivan, keyboardist Paulie Philippone, guitarists Jesse Combs and Mike Dipanfilo, and trombonist John Mundy, and trumpeter/vocalist Mike Bafundo—has been playing their version of funk and soul in venues all over the Northeast and beyond. As West End Blend prepares to kick off their 2019/2020 winter tour starting this Friday, December 20th, at Brighton Music Hall in Allston, MA, Live For Live Music is thrilled to debut the band’s latest single, “Dangerous”.
As the band explains to Live For Live Music, “‘Dangerous’ is the first single entirely self-produced by our keyboardist, Paul Philippone, at his home studio, Funkhaus Music. We are in the process of recording our first full-length album since 2015 [Rewind]. Under new representation from Madison House, we are also currently in the process of planning out our 2020 calendar for what will be our biggest touring schedule to date.”
The lyrics to the slow-burning funk jaunt serve as a reminder to observe the Golden Rule and take care of your fellow woman and man. The message comes across as a defiant ultimatum: “Respect is what I need.”
Explains Erica T. Bryan, who penned the song’s words, “‘Dangerous’ is an important message, written with love and respect, about love and respect. It’s addressed to not just West End Blend audiences, but people everywhere as a reminder that we need to look out for one another. And sometimes that means giving others the space they need to be comfortable and independent. Other times it means stepping in and speaking up when a situation just doesn’t seem right. I wrote this from the perspective of someone in a one-to-one relationship, but it applies to many. Just open your eyes and ears, and respect the people around you. There’s a reason this subject has garnered so much attention lately, but the concept isn’t new. Exercise a little empathy. That’s what it really comes down to.”
You can listen to the Live For Live Music premiere of West End Blend’s “Dangerous” below:
West End Blend – “Dangerous”
[Audio: West End Blend]
You can hear West End Blend’s newest single live when the band heads out on tour throughout the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. Following the tour-opening show in Allston, West End Blend will head to Syracuse, NY’s Westcott Theater for a show on December 21st. From there, they’ll close out the year with shows at Wakefield, RI’s Ocean Mist (12/27); Portland, ME’s P.H.O.M.E. (12/28); and Mount Snow, VT’s The Sowbarn on New Year’s Eve. From there, the band will roll into 2020 with a run of mid- to late-January dates throughout the Northeast.
See below for a list of upcoming West End Blend tour dates. For ticketing informatio and more details, head to the band’s website.
