While music history is rich with iconic regional movements like the British Invasion, the Bowery punk scene, Native Tongues hip-hop, and Pacific Northwest grunge, the digital era has made forging new local scenes challenging. But could Central New York be witnessing the genesis of its own thriving music community in 2025?
Jim Grogan, founding member of the Rome-based band, Maybe Sunday, believes so. He’s one of the organizers of the new 315 Uncovered festival, set for this Sunday, June 22nd, at DeMatteo’s in Rome. The festival will feature five local acts performing only original music.
The festival’s primary goal is to spotlight bands that focus on original material. Since forming in 2018, Maybe Sunday has exclusively performed their own songs—a challenge when typical gigs often span three hours.
Grogan, putting on his organizer hat, shared his vision for 315 Uncovered:
“We’re totally pumped about this event. Talks started last October; we asked a few friends if they were interested, and everyone was on board. Julie [Grogan, keyboardist and Jim’s wife] came up with the event name and handled all the marketing. We’re obviously hoping this will be successful so we can expand next year to include more acts.
We’ve already had several acts reach out for next year. With so many talented musicians in the area, the goal is to help create an audience for them and encourage others to start writing. We want to help create an ‘original music scene.’ Why not in the 315? The talent is plentiful.”
DeMatteo’s, located on East Dominick Street in Rome’s Little Italy section, offers the perfect setting for such an intimate summer festival. Owner Tony DeMatteo has invested significantly in his neighborhood bar over the past few years, creating an outdoor patio ideal for live music. He’s been dedicated to providing live music on Rome’s East Side since the patio first opened.
When reached for comment, DeMatteo expressed his excitement about hosting the event: “We are grateful to be hosting this event and showcasing these super talented musicians in our area performing their own music. This is the start of many events like this to come.”
Spencer Morgan kicks off 315 Uncovered around 1:00 PM with an all-originals set. A veteran of the CNY music scene, Morgan performs both with his band Last Left and solo. His sound blends ’90s alt-rock with ’80s alternative influences. His most recent solo album, Dark Highway (2020), features soulful songwriting and a vocal style reminiscent of early Bruce Springsteen.
When asked what an event like this means to an original musician, Morgan playfully replied, “Sure, let me ask an original musician and see what they say.” All kidding aside, he offered a heartfelt statement:
“To have a show that consists of all original music done by local artists is huge. It’s unlike anything else. It’s unique and it’s necessary.
People around here are creating every day, which is also unique and necessary. It’s important that those creations get a chance to live, a chance to stand on their own.
This festival is carving out time and space for songs that aren’t really known and aren’t normally heard. People coming to this are showing that they’re not only good with that, but they’re open and willing to hear all of it.”
Morgan will be followed by Oldenvice, a quartet of relative newcomers to the CNY scene, featuring Hayden McMonagle (guitar/vocals), Ezra Miller (lead guitar), Rich Artigiani (drums), and recently added bassist Brett O’Grady. This band of twenty-somethings has been performing as a trio for the past two years. Like many Gen Z artists, their music defies easy categorization, blending influences from Dave Matthews and Mt. Joy alongside Kendrick Lamar.
McMonagle said, “I’m extremely grateful for being included in this event. I think it’s huge for local musicians and I hope there are many more to come. It’s awesome to have an event where we get to play only the music we have created. Overall, I’m just super hyped-up to play and watch some sick music.”
Isaac French and Collen Roller continue the lineup. This duo recently began collaborating and have also performed as part of the expanded Isaac French Band. French, a St. Albans, VT transplant, has built a significant following in the Utica-Rome area, consistently drawing large crowds. His fans often come decked out in Isaac French merchandise, singing along to his original songs. Roller’s fiery fretwork adds a powerful touch to French’s acoustic pop balladry. French shared:
“I’m super excited to be a part of the event and even more excited to share the stage with great musicians! It’s always a pleasure being able to play a full set of originals and I’ll be debuting some brand-new ones at the event!”
Not Robots! (Adrian Stinger – vocals/guitar/synth, Mike Chandler – drums, Ryan Eastman – bass, Brandon Smith – guitar/vocals) is a SAMMY Award-winning band, having taken home the Best Rock Recording award in 2022. Based in the Sylvan Beach area, they explore the depths of alt-rock and prog-rock, drawing a lot of influence from Radiohead. Across their two EPs, the band’s sound has evolved, signaling greater things ahead for this talented group. Stinger’s unique vocals complement the band’s distinctive sound, helping Not Robots! stand out among their peers.
Brandon Smith, the newest member of the band, offered this perspective on the upcoming festival:
“Doing shows like this is so important for the music community. Not only does it give great exposure for artists to potential fans, but is also is super important in building our music community.
Original artists get way further working together and trading shows than treating the music scene as a competition, so I really hope this event takes off and continues to attract up-and-coming artists.
Musicians miss a lot of great shows due to our own schedules and conflicts, and we feel guilty when we can’t show up for our scene.
I’m super grateful we were included, and that we can all show up for each other this weekend as fans as well as peers.”
Maybe Sunday emerged from simple jam sessions in Jim Grogan’s basement north of Rome. They performed at the long-running Snubbing Post open mic nights under monikers like The Mike Kohli 5 and Girth. The lineup was fluid before solidifying as Maybe Sunday with the Grogans, Bryan Honeywell (vocals/guitar), Bruce Flanders (vocals/guitar), and Duane Womack (bass). Their debut EP, …Above the Trees, was recorded at Big Blue North Studio in Utica and released during the pandemic in 2020.
Following a few more lineup changes—Flanders is on hiatus while recovering from a stroke, and Womack left for personal reasons, with Nick Mellace now on bass—the band returned to Big Blue to record their SAMMY-nominated EP, Tabula Rasa, in 2024. They have since performed on the Capital District streaming program Jive Hive Live, opened for national touring act The Band Feel at Syracuse’s Westcott Theater, and secured a residency at Al’s Wine & Whiskey Bar in Syracuse.
Maybe Sunday has emerged as one of Central New York’s top original bands, becoming a key part of this burgeoning scene in the heart of New York.
Time will tell if this scene truly flourishes, but with Grogan and DeMatteo’s shared vision, and the talent on this bill, 315 Uncovered is the perfect launchpad for its growth.
The free, daylong festival takes place Sunday, June 22, at DeMatteo’s Bar and Grill on East Dominick Street in Rome. Spencer Morgan kicks it off around 1:00 PM.
Tune In and Learn More!
For a sneak peek at what you’ll hear on Sunday, listen to the Spotify playlist curated by 315 Uncovered, or explore a more extensive local playlist curated by 315 Music.
You can also hear more from and about all of these artists on the Rockin’ the Suburbs Radio show, Walking at a Suburban Pace, hosted by Mike Kohli. Tune in Saturday, June 21, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM via the RTS Radio website. All Rockin’ the Suburbs Radio shows are archived on Mixcloud here.
