Justin Angelo Band

When Lancaster-based singer/songwriter Justin Angelo walked on stage to open for Rusted Root in Harrisburg this year, he called out to the crowd, got an overwhelming response, and felt completely at ease.

At 25, Angelo recalls busking in the hallways of his high school and says he’s always felt at home performing. His love of music was passed down by his father, drummer Randy Angelo, who passed away in 2012. To memorialize their bond, Angelo tattooed a vocal audio wave of his father’s voice on his forearm. The image was clipped from the vocal track of an Eagles song he once sang and represents the lyrics, “Aren’t we the same two people who lived through years in the dark...”

A certified Pro Tools audio engineer, Angelo has recorded hundreds of songs for himself and others and released his debut album “Down to Earth” in 2015. On Sept. 21, he celebrates the release of his three-song “Analog EP” on the rooftop of Altana in Lancaster in anticipation of a forthcoming full-length album. Attendees will receive a free copy of the EP and enjoy a whiskey tasting while his band plays from 6 to 9 p.m.


How did you get your start in the Lancaster music scene?

I was the roadie for my dad’s band. He used to play at Shank’s Tavern a lot, but they wouldn’t let me in until I was 18. When I turned 18, I started playing there, and then they let me host their open mic nights, and I’ve been doing that ever since.


Tell me about your new release.

It’s called “Analog EP”, and that’s because we recorded it on two-inch analog tape. We recorded at Right Coast Recording in Columbia and used nothing that wasn’t from the ’60s or older. We have a full band now. Brendan Stengle is on bass. Dustin Love is on drums. Our engineer, Bobby Gentilo, said, “I’m going to hire this B-3 player, and if he doesn’t add at least 30 percent more wow to the record, I won’t even make you pay for the studio time.” So Aaron Trasatt comes in, who’s now our keyboard player, and a half hour into the session, I’m like, “Yeah, I’m paying for that studio time, aren’t I?”

What’s the inspiration behind the EP?

I wanted to do something that I could hand to an industry professional so that they would know what I sound like at that level. I felt like doing it right and doing it big was the way to go. I also wanted to have that ‘70s experience of recording. I’m influenced by everyone from Christopher Cross and Michael McDonald to Sting and kind of venture over to Dave Matthews and John Mayer, which is more ‘90s.


What’s your songwriting process like?

I typically write the groove first. That’s how Michael Jackson did everything. He wrote all the basslines first. I write the groove and just let myself fall into a meditation. It becomes almost therapeutic to be in the rhythm, and then I just kind of scat. I listen to a lot of Jason Mraz, a lot of John Butler Trio. Tracy Chapman does a bunch of it. Eventually, you start coming up with words and syllables and the message starts to show through.

When did you start writing songs?

It didn’t become something serious until 18 or 19. I took four years of classical guitar lessons so that I could learn the scales and modes to play metal music, which I was really into. And then I started songwriting after I became smitten with all the John Mayer stuff.

That’s an interesting transition, from metal to John Mayer.

Yeah, I feel like it was always there though. I have the edginess it takes to be in metal and the softness it takes to be a singer/songwriter.

What was it like opening for Rusted Root?

Opening for a national act is a big deal. It just changes things. I started developing fan bases in other counties and states. When you start branching out on your own, it helps you think bigger.

What are your plans for the future?

My ultimate goal is to become a ghostwriter for other artists. I want to help other artists craft songs. Once you’re writing for somebody who’s at a certain level, you’ll be surrounded by the people who can get you to where you need to go.

Has the Lancaster music scene been pretty encouraging?

More than anything. Lancaster is my home. I get really emotional because it’s hard to chase something that you really want...the support is unending. - Julie Vitto