Folk band Irondequoit Dodge is based in Austin, Texas and has just released its self-titled EP Irondequoit Dodge. The band name refers to a town outside Rochester, New York. Band members Rita Bliss (banjo/vocals) and Eric Legeer (guitar/vocals) grew up just 20 miles from each other, both watching the same hokey commercials for various businesses including the Irondequoit Dodge dealership, which they thought was a hilarious name for a band. Jimmie Scott Calhoun (bass/vocals) joined shortly after the group was named. The band only had their first rehearsal in May of 2020 before securing the production skills of Grammy-nominated Dom Fisher, who recorded these five tracks before the end of that month.
Their press release states that Irondequoit Dodge is “a demonstration of the band’s influences and musical joys. You'll hear The Grateful Dead from Legeer, who does not hesitate to inject a rock or blues solo into what is otherwise a straight folk song. Bliss started in music as a guitar player covering Joni Mitchel songs, and turned to the claw-hammer banjo and John Prine in her late ‘20s. Scott loves to find a harmony in anything and everything, and connected with Bliss and Legeer when he recognized hints of Gillian Welch in their music.” This collection was recorded live in the studio. Tracking, mixing and mastering took place at Signal Hill Recording in Austin, Texas. The band looks forward to making a full-length album and gigging around Texas over the next year. “Cigarettes in the Park” was written by guitarist Legeer and is said to come from “a place of reflection on his lasting marriage.” As such, it’s one of those songs that takes huge leaps in the human timeline, starting with those first shared cigarettes at a party and winding up in an unkempt house with screaming kids, but with their initial spark still sparking! The band’s instrumentation is perfect for a live stereo feel, with guitar on the left, standup bass in the center and banjo on the right. Legeer has a pleasing regular guy voice that fits this folky tune like a glove. The playing is good without being flashy, and the recording is studio-clean with enough room presence to feel like a performance in your living room. “Goin’ Back South” was written by banjo player Bliss, who takes lead vocals. This song has a distinctly country feel, thanks to her Loretta Lynn-style vocals and inflections (dropped G’s and the like). She says this was written “in the depths of an upstate NY winter when (I) was still living there,” but wishing she was closer to the Gulf. The tempo is a bit faster here and the full-band harmonizing works beautifully. Short but sweet! “Right Side Up” features a similar folk-country arrangement and vocal chorus, but this time led by Legeer’s somewhat pleading lead vocals. He also takes a nice acoustic solo. “Miracle Mile” is the first track to feature Bliss on harmonica, and within the stripped-down sound of the group, it really adds a nice element of cohesion, like a warm blanket under which the other players can gather. The band says this track was put together by Bliss from “pieces from a poem written almost 20 years ago, and an affection for the G to Bm7 transition.” It’s got the beauty of a Nanci Griffith song with the instrumental clarity of early John Denver, and the band again proves that all three players are lovely harmonizers as well. This would be my pick for best song! The band says “Store Brand” came together at rehearsal “when Legeer and Bliss proclaimed their love of Toyotas to each other.” As such this tune is a bit more fun and tossed-off, with Bliss and Legeer trading call-and-response vocals and two-part harmonies. Not quite as polished as the previous tracks but why not take it a litter easier here at the end? Legeer takes a final (and very fine) acoustic solo before the mock-dramatic conclusion. The song feels like it could have used one final chorus, but there it is. If you like folk with a bit of country you’ll love these guys, both for the solid playing and the excellent songwriting. Looking forward to their next projects!
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