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| Photo courtesy of Dave & Tom |
By Matt Chrystal
In terms of interviews at CoolDadMusic, it seems my year has come full circle, as I started off and ended 2019 interviewing David Cacciatore and Thomas Losito, musicians from my hometown of Springfield, NJ. But, for Dave and Tom, it seems the end of 2019 took them in a whole new direction from where they started off.
At the dawn of 2019, Dave and Tom were members of The Vaughns, a collective of Springfield friends and musicians who were headed for a breakout year. I sat in Losito's basement as both he and Dave expressed their excitement and anticipation for a new Vaughns album, new single, new video, and a new tour van with tour dates that would take the band farther than they had been before.
But, as it turns out, 2019 was more of a break-up year. In November, as the twilight of the year loomed on the horizon, Dave and Tom announced their departure from The Vaughns and shared their excitement as they embarked on a new journey together as a duo.
I originally wanted to entitle this piece, something like "Vaughn-voyage," but I thought that would be a little too extra. And that didn't seem to fit the mood here. In fact, the mood seemed to be just the opposite. For David Cacciatore and Tom Losito, stepping away from The Vaughns seems to be all about getting back to basics, getting back to their roots, and in their words, "rediscovering why (they) started playing in the first place."
I caught up Dave and Tom to talk about their new project, their plans for the new year, and of course, to get their thoughts of the Best Of the Year that was 2019.
UnCool Uncle Matty: Ok, so let's get it out of the way and address the elephant in the room. Would you like to use this forum to discuss your departure from the Vaughns?
David Cacciatore & Tom Losito: Yes, thank you. We really appreciate that. Without getting into details, unfortunately, we felt like it was time for us to move on. We both aren't the types that usually share personal details or feelings on social media, but we felt we needed to address our departure from the band. We felt it was our duty to let people know that The Vaughns aren't a representation of us anymore. It was a very stressful and bittersweet time for us this fall, but we are very happy and optimistic about the future.
UUM: What are your thoughts as you reflect back on your time spent in The Vaughns?
Dave C & Tom L: The Vaughns were a big part of our lives for a long time, and we created something very special, but the love and creative spark we once had quickly faded. Looking back we were able to accomplish some amazing goals along the way. We were able to meet a lot of amazing and talented musicians and friends, which we are grateful for.
UUM: When I interviewed you guys at the beginning of the year, you gave us the exclusive scoop that you named your then touring van, "Neal." So, I was hoping maybe you could end the year by giving us the exclusive scoop on what you are naming the new Dave & Tom Duo?
Dave C: We've been tossing around a lot of names lately but we haven't decided on one yet. We hope to have one soon!
UUM: Ok, so you haven't settled on a name yet, but perhaps you can share some of the ideas you have kicked around or ruled out. Maybe we can have a readers' poll to help name the band. C'mon, I know you guys have thought up a few by now; let's hear some...
Tom L: Hmmm, we have a list of names we've been throwing around each day and bouncing them off each other. Not sure if we want to share yet until we finally land on one. "Dave & Tom" is what we have been using in the interim for our gigs this winter. Sam & Dave was a pretty cool name for a group, right? How about The Alan Parsons Project? Asia? Eggs in the Tub?
UUM: Am I being presumptuous that the new "Eggs in a Tub Project" is a duo? Are there plans to bring in players around you or keep it to just you two?
Dave C: Well, when Tom and I ended our relationship with The Vaughns, it wasn't like we had a band lined up ready to go, nor were we hitting people up to form a new band. In the aftermath, Tom and I knew that we wanted to continue playing together and just go back to our roots and rediscover why we started playing in the first place. We have shows lined up this winter that we are excited about. We are hoping to have a full band support us in the near future.
Tom L: We are currently writing and performing as an acoustic duo, but the songs we are creating we envision as someday being played in a full band setting. Bass, keys, drums, everything really. Some of my favorite groups and biggest influences utilize a type of dual writing. As Dave mentioned, we would love to bring in some musicians that would add to our songs and sounds down the road. We are taking everything in stride and having a blast in the meantime. I'm sure the full band setting will work out soon.
UUM: What musical direction will your duo/project be heading in?
Dave C: We haven't decided on a set musical direction. We have similar musical tastes and styles, and -- so far -- our sounds have been complementing each other. Whatever musical direction we go in, we just want it to be genuine.
Tom L: I don't think we have a specific sound we are striving for or trying to imitate. What we have been creating so far has been very organic and natural. The roster of songs both Dave and I have written and performed so far I would say have flashes of power pop, blues and rock from the 60s and even 90s. We both have very similar musical tastes and really feed off each other's styles and influences. The songs we have written individually really blend together nicely in a live setting. We are also really utilizing duo harmonies much more which has been fun. Anything with a hook sparks my fancy.
UUM: Obviously, you two are no strangers to playing together, but I am assuming playing as a duo is new or at least new again. The Tom & Dave duo played a set during a Happy Mondays show at the Wonder Bar in November. How did it feel to be just the two of you up there? What were your thoughts or reactions after that first gig?
Dave C: It felt very natural for me to be back on stage. Playing with someone as talented as Tom definitely makes things easier too. It was fun to be back playing in Asbury Park, a town that has shown us a tremendous amount of love and support. I think one of the most exciting things about our gigs is that anyone who hears our songs is hearing them in the barest form. Nothing fancy going on: just Tom, myself, and some acoustic guitars. I am looking forward to our upcoming shows / future musical endeavors.
Tom L: The shows we have played together so far were very smooth and extremely fresh. Dave and I have been playing together for so long that I feel we have a special connection when it comes to writing, practicing, singing and performing. Playing as an acoustic duo, you definitely have to hone your chops in tandem because you're more vulnerable on stage and there's less going on. It's also really exciting to be playing guitar once again, especially with such an amazing player like Dave. The Wonder Bar Happy Mondays show was also really fun because we saw many faces we haven't seen in a long time. It was a really special night for Dave and me.
UUM: You are getting right back out there with a string of shows lined up for the next three months. Can you tell us a little bit about the upcoming gigs?
Dave C: We are hitting up some cities that we haven't played in a while, so we are looking forward to head back and reconnect. We are especially excited about the New Year's show at Crossroads in Garwood (01/02/20), a hometown show for us that we will be hosting with some really close friends.
Tom L: I'm really looking forward to playing with some of our favorite local artists again and presenting our new songs in a fresh setting. It is really exciting to explore new avenues and meet new bands and musicians again as well. I would like to say the support and outreach we've had both personally and collectively as a duo over the past month has been awesome. It means the world to us after such a tough and stressful time. These songs mean a lot to us, and they hold a lot of resonance with us lately, so we are super excited to share them to more people especially in our infancy.
UUM: It’s the end of the year and "Best Of" lists are coming in fast and furious. So let's hear some of your "Best Of 2019" in rapid fire… And Go…
UUM: Best Albums?
Tom L:
Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars
Angel Olsen - All Mirrors
Weyes Blood - Titanic Rising
White Reaper - You Deserve Love
Dave C:
Illiterate Light - Illiterate Light
Billie Eillish - When We Fall Asleep Where Do We Go
Post Malone - Hollywood's Bleeding
Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars
UUM: Best Tour Stops?
Dave C & Tom L: Chicago and Nashville!
UMM: Best Movies?
Tom L:
Rocketman
The Irishman
Dave C:
The Joker
The Dirt
UMM: Best Breakfast Sandwich?
Tom L:
Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese from Bagels For You in Springfield, NJ. Emphasis on "Taylor Ham."
Dave C:
Pumpernickel Bagel with Chive Cream Cheese from Bagels Supreme in Springfield NJ. They make the absolute best bagels, and I will challenge anyone on this!
UUM: Thoughts on Today? Hopes for Tomorrow?
Tom L: Live for today, and sleep in tomorrow. Spread simple kindness and inclusivity every day. As Dean Martin once said, "I don't care if the sun don’t shine, I do my drinkin' in the evening time." Much love.
Dave C: I am just happy to be alive, and am grateful for the life I have. I feel like this is something that is not expressed often enough, especially by musicians. Just based off of the crazy events that have happened in our country recently, it is evident that our lives can change at any moment. Live to fullest, and stay true to who you are. I'm optimistic for tomorrow, and am excited for what is to come.
You can catch Dave and Tom performing at these upcoming shows:
12/13/19 - Anchors Bend- Asbury Park, NJ
12/18/19 - Asbury Hotel – Asbury Park, NJ
01/02/20- Crossroads- Garwood, NJ
02/13/20 - Barca City- New Brunswick, NJ
02/28/20- Asbury Hotel – Asbury Park, NJ
For more info check them out online at:
www.intagram.com/davidcacciatore
www.instagram.com/tomlosito
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