Ah, mercurial youth. Northampton-based Lux Deluxe are so early in their musical journey that they had the temerity to change their band name in the week between the interview for and publication of this profile. (For the record, their previous moniker was Sugartown.)
Four of the band’s members—brothers Jacob (bass) and Caleb Rosazza (vocals and lead guitar), Ned King (guitar and vocals), and Jake Edwards (drums)—were classmates at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School, where they jammed on a daily basis, performing covers by bands ranging from The Band to Sly & The Family Stone.
Jacob Rosazza says he and his brother have been playing along with cousin and Lux Deluxe keyboardist/singer Gabe Bernini since “the pre-puberty era.”
“Gradually, over time, our school worlds and family worlds became more and more related to each other until we came together as [a band],” he says.
Despite the quintet’s tender demographic range, their influences—both stated and evidenced by their sound—are beyond their years.
“Growing up, we were all influenced by classic rock [musicians] in different ways,” King says. “It’s fascinating to learn about what their lives were like, while at the same time listening and loving their music. It’s hard to appreciate modern music without knowing where it came from. And I suppose that, in the process of studying the old bands and hearing what’s coming out on the radio now, we’ve just decided we like the old stuff more.”
Bernini states that the band seek to simultaneously channel and emulate some of their rock predecessors. “We hope to remind people of the days of Tom Petty, Dire Straits and the Rolling Stones, rock bands that had a raw and honest sound. We have been trying our hardest to have that come through in our recordings.”
He adds that they’re already sure the album currently in production will sound “absolutely incredible,” thanks to the privilege of recording at Spirithouse Records with producer/engineer/family member Danny Bernini and Paul McNamara.
Lux Deluxe have been working on their material for their debut album, which is due out this summer, for a while now, with everyone taking a turn as lead songwriter.
“Most of the time someone brings a bare-bones structure into a rehearsal and we very loosely jam on it for a while,” Rosazza says. “Then we talk about what is good about the song and what more it needs. Then the primary songwriter will make adjustments to the song in his spare time.”
The newly revised song is then brought back to the practice space—a “cramped basement off Route 9″—until a final version is completed and everyone is happy with the outcome.
Bernini says the band’s youth and love of rock and roll propel them forward, onstage and off: “We’re always pushing our singer, Ned, to go all out, because we believe that a band should be, above all, entertaining. We’re all still young and have many years ahead of us, so at this point, we’re playing music because it’s our passion. But we also just like to have fun with what we’re doing.”
Lux Deluxe appear at this summer’s Green River Festival on July 17. For songs and shows, visit www.myspace.com/luxdeluxetheband.Ned King photo
