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By Keith McBride
Photo By Craig Molway
When you really think about it, we should all hate Bill Carleton. He’s got a voice that walks the fine line between strong and suave. He writes songs that hold more captivating imagery than the Louvre, and he’s got a backing band that’s tighter than spandex. And most of all, he’s got Diving Dreamers, a new album of songs that absorb anyone within earshot.
“So far, reactions to the record have been very positive,” he says. Positive, indeed. In fact, positive energy oozes from Carleton’s pop and folk influenced rock. Surrounded by musicians battling society with anger, vulgarity and violence, Carleton displays a unique songwriting style that produces soothing, energizing and melodic tunes.
Carleton comes from a musically gifted family — a music scholarship/endowment at Colgate University is named for his aunt and mentor, the late Mary Kate Carleton. But it wasn’t until Carleton’s college days at the University of Delaware that he began writing and performing. Upon returning to Connecticut, Bill began playing endless open mics and taking whatever steps were necessary to have his music heard, including hosting his own open mic night at a Manchester, Connecticut pub — a task he continues to this day.
Out of the many friends he made along the way, Carleton put together one of the tightest bands in Connecticut to back him up. Lee Sylvestre (electric guitar) solos with a finger-plucking style that gives the band a completely unique and original sound. Travis Lamothe (drums) plays with extraordinary energy and adds power to each song, and blends brilliantly with Dan Prindle’s bass work. There’s also additional color added by Tony Parlapiano’s (keyboard, organ) subtle keystrokes and chords.
What they’ve produced is a collection of songs that range from upbeat danceable tunes, to mellow, soothing ballads. Each song has its own identity, but the uniting features of the tunes are their honesty and emotion.
On a crowded party bus heading for the album’s CD release party at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, Carleton says, “More than anything, I hope the album reflects who we really are. I hope people get that impression. There are no facades on this record.” The bus is full of friends, fans and family traveling with the band into the city to celebrate the release of Diving Dreamers.
Each band member enjoys the ride in their own personal way. Lamothe makes a point to speak to everyone on the bus and thank them personally. Sylvestre, at the back of the bus, dons sunglasses and a Cheshire Cat grin and sips a beer. Parlapiano, glancing left and right, takes it all in quietly. Carleton is bombarded with praise from the fans, and in between giving endless thanks for the complements, he shakes his head and says, “This is just overwhelming.”
Carleton gives much of the praise to his bandmates.
“Everyone brings something completely different to the band, and I think it shows when we play,” Carleton notes. “These are all phenomenal musicians involved in this band, so we put a lot of effort into making sure that each person’s individual talent is showcased.” Recently, Carleton has stopped playing shows under his name, insisting on being billed instead as The Bill Carleton Band so as to draw attention to the dynamic between all five musicians.
Carleton isn’t the only one who has noticed their talents. The band members cleaned up this year’s Hartford Advocate reader polls. Lamothe and Prindle took home the best drummer and best bassist awards. Carleton and Sylvestre were also voted the best acoustic duo.
What drives Carleton today is making new friends and fans. This fall, the band will be playing the college circuit for the first time, and also has a goal to play in at least four states they’ve never visited before. Every new person who gets to hear the songs of The Bill Carleton Band is just one more person on the long list of those who have a reason to hate the group, but who can’t help but be a fan.