The last 365 has been packed with firsts, a few seconds, and years worth of growth on and off stage for the precocious Connecticut quartet Eggy. When Slide&Banjo caught up with the band in early ‘24 they were beginning to savor the fruits of their decade plus labors. Expansion was in full effect. They were playing venues, cities, and states for the first time. With S&B in tow, their debuts in Little Rock AR and Oxford MS were met with resounding approval. First timers were eager to become second timers and the band was about to cross some level jumping achievements off their bucket list.
The highest two off the list were their debuts at Bonnaroo and Red Rocks. Both exceeding long standing expectations as the four continue to make their lofty dreams a reality. The biggest second for the band came with their long awaited sophomore release Waiting Game. The album, recorded in Los Angeles in early 2023 finally saw the light of day eighteen months later. The band slowly comingled the ten Alex Bailey sung songs into their live rotation as they eagerly awaited the waiting game for the album release to be over.
A year after their mid-south debuts, Slide&Banjo caught up with Eggy for their two night Colorado run in Frisco and Boulder to answer a couple of lingering questions.
The first were… 1) With Bailey taking the vocals on all ten Waiting Game songs, will concert setlists be skewed towards the drummer? 2) How will his bandmates Jake Brownstein, Dani Battat, and Mike Goodman replicate his multi-layered backing vocals from the album to live shows? The answers are no and easily, but let’s expand.
Both nights had two songs off Waiting Game in the rotation. The rest of the setlists were evenly split with Bailey, Brownstein and Battat led originals or covers. Showcasing one of the widest song ranges around, Eggy only played one song off their debut Watercolor Days. Hux in Frisco.
Continually on the road the last several years, Eggy has hundreds of concerts under their belts. Creating a setlist without nightly repeats is way in their rear view mirror. Bailey told Slide&Banjo after Waiting Game’s release, the band was out of new material. That didn’t last long as they’re already introducing fantastic new songs such as Shatter and Trixieville to their growing audiences.
Incredibly, the Frisco show saw the return of Maybe There’s a Reason after 407 shows. Many bands would consider 407 concerts a good career. For Eggy, it’s a good start. Although Waiting Game is packed with layers of Bailey’s background vocals, his talented bandmates have no trouble bringing them to life on stage nightly.
There is no question the relationship between the bandmates is stronger than ever. Another year of practically living together has strengthened the deeply rooted bond the quartet has developed in pursuit of their dreams. The non-verbal conversations echoed loudly both nights. Changing a key or groove was as simple as a quick glance or a nod. On stage, Brownstein and Battat looked so deep in each other’s eyes, it would make married couples jealous.
Every bit of Eggy’s connection is translating to the music and energy they’re creating. As the crowds grow, so are the depths of their jams. Numerous times songs and setlists became irrelevant and distant. Everyone synched together to take the music in newfound and rarely achievable areas. The dystopian madness created during Boulder’s Buying Time is a shining example of Eggy’s confidence to peg the throttle and hold on for the ride.
The rub for the band is as far as they’ve come, they still have so much room to grow. Brownstein drew a growl out of the midranges of his guitar both nights that instantly brought visions of Mississippi Delta Blues mixed with mid ‘80s Eric Clapton. Battat bounced between piano and keys adding multi genre flavors to Bailey’s furious pace. Goodman should be nicknamed the ventriloquist. His calm, innocent, “who me” facial expressions do not match the vibrant, bouncy, extra long bass lines filling up the low end of Eggy’s sound. Winchell and Mahoney definitely approve.
Eggy continues to do whatever it takes to expand their brand. Most of the shows on their last run were broadcast for free on the band’s You Tube page. Anything to get the music in front of more people. The bewildered gazes from Colorado first timers anxious to be second timers ensures a bright future for the Connecticut quartet. Four of the nicest people you will meet and can’t help but root for their success.
Leaving the Boulder Theater after another full throttle performance, you have to shake your head at the possibilities that lie ahead. What kind of energy will they create after five or ten years of expanding their musical vocabulary? When will the band become so can’t miss 20, 40 and more of the same faces will be in the crowd nightly? How close is Madison Square Garden? Stay tuned, the answers aren’t far off.
