Talking Points Website
*** James Giambalvo (bass) and Drew LoMonaco (keys and vocals) were not present for the interview ***
Exciting things are happening for indie-pop band Talking Points as they have their first ticketed event coming up in May 2024. Sticking to their New York roots, Talking Points will perform alongside Comfort Club and Homeschool at the Lower East Side’s Mercury Lounge on May 19.
This event is especially exciting for members who have never played live with another band before. “I’m definitely more nervous than the other guys,” said lead vocalist Jack Pilon. Nico Cianciulli and Nick Riedel (drummer and guitarist, respectively) agree that the excitement is building as the band continues to figure out the live atmosphere the band hopes to create.
“The surreal thing is having people actually come to see us,” said Nick. “I like that close environment [with the audience].”
The band plays in more intimate settings, like backyard shows, and primarily for friends. Dipping their toes into the live scene is a thrill, especially when they notice people singing their lyrics word for word. They collectively recalled a show this past Summer where they saw the audience’s joy bubble up as they began to play their first single, “Lost It.”
Although the band is currently based out of Long Island, NY, the guys did not all grow up together and met by chance. One of Nick’s friends grew up with some of the members and brought up his name, who originally was uninterested in playing with the others. Now, they are working together to build a cohesive sound with a motif of having fun.
Jack noted that they are continuously working on music that will create a fun and energetic atmosphere when performed live. This sound is the product of varying influences, and the band is still working on figuring out what works best for them.
“We listen to drastically different kinds of music. It’s tough to say if there is one definitive influence,” said Nick. “But it makes writing super interesting as we influence each other.”
Because they are an independent band, finding commonality while in a studio is a bit more difficult. To combat this and the high cost of studio time the band tries to do as much work as they can before going into a studio session.
When they began recording in 2022, the band “sent voice memos and [we] tried to zoom to get melodies or lyrics” before going into a session. Jack noted that this practice is one they continue to use today.
Maybe not ideal, but it’s working for Talking Points as they produce amazingly fun singles one after the other. As they find common direction and become more cohesive, the band continues to work on new music.
A new project is coming up for Talking Points, with a tentative release period of mid-late April. This next venture will feature entirely new music just in time for their first ticketed show, and will act as an introduction to the fresh sound of the band.
“It’s a handshake for us,” said Jack.
I might be wildly excited about this project, but without a doubt, Talking Points is ready to bring new music and grow their audience. As we wrapped up our interview, they asked me for a bit of advice on how to create an intimate energy with a larger crowd. If good music won’t entice a bigger audience, their immediate friendly and amusing nature will.
Tickets for Talking Points at the Mercury Lounge on May 19 can be purchased here!