Brody Bond
Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.
Brody Bond
Saturday, April 8th, 2023
Pot-Luck Happy Hour 7:00P
MUSIC STARTS ABOUT 8:00P
I usually talk about how far an Artist travels to perform at my House Concert Series… This is a local Baltimore Artist, that I am super excited to host. Amazing music, vocals and home-grown. I usually trim an Artist’s Bio down to minimal, so you read it. I love his description of his EP—and changed little.
Brody Bond is a singer/songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland. The Mo(µ)rning EPs tell this type of rebirth story. The resulting concept album, comprised of two conjoined EPs — the darker themed Mourning and the uplifting Morning — are about encountering the disordering and reordering of our lives.
There is an ancient Japanese art called “Kintsugi” where broken tea ware is mended by applying lacquer mixed with gold. The newly re-bonded fragments embody the idea of “beauty through brokenness.” The cracks are highlighted, not hidden, and the newly restored piece is considered even more beautiful and valuable than the original tea ware. The art, the mending, and the healing represent rebirth.
The Mo(µ)rning EPs release is divided into two distinct halves, The Mourning, a path of descent and disorientation, and The Morning, the way out of the darkness through faith, change, and acceptance. The opening track “Original Invisible” is a gorgeous dose of dreamy acoustic pop lavished with ethereal synthetic textures. The courageously confessional “My Fantasy” balances pop-folk with a jazzy chordal sensibility. The project’s transition song, “What’s In The Way Is The Way,” cross-fades into “Anchor To The Wind”—both are in the same key, and this represents the bridge from mourning to morning. The transition here recalibrates the listener to embrace Morning, the EP and feeling. The tracks in this suite shine with the light of rebirth. “Anchor To The Wind” is soaring folk-pop; “Fly With You” is elegantly essential singer-songwriter pop; and the song cycle concludes gloriously, with the stately “To Let The Love In.”
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“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence”
“If you find it hard to laugh at yourself, I would be happy to do it for you.”
COVID-19 March/April 2023 I will update COVID information closer to the Concert Date
Severe COVID has become less of a concern and most people develop flu like symptoms. That said, I remind everyone — hosting a House Concert and attending is not risk-free. I feel safe in these types of gatherings. My personal perspective is that Life is not risk-free and there is no substitute for live music.
Artists need to perform to survive, and some of us need to experience it to stay alive. I fall into the second group. CURRENTLY, masks will be neither required nor discouraged at the concert (if you want or don’t want to wear one, nobody will give you a hard time).
Stay home if you have any symptoms or were exposed!!!
Support the Arts…or we’ll have to listen to each other
2023
Poor Man’s Gambit: Friday, February 17, 2023
Still working on locking in some dates…
SunFlurry: Friday, September 8, 2023
Ensemble Sangineto: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Patrick Sampson: Saturday, December 2, 2023
Annie Sumi: Friday, March 15, 2024
What is a House Concert? Why Do it?
When up-and-coming bands outgrow their local venues, they tour. It is crazy expensive living on the road, so they will schedule House Concerts in between gigs as they travel across the country. It helps cover their travel costs, and many Artists love the personal setting.
A long time ago, I attended my first house concert for a band I followed since Med-School (Wishing Chair). It was an amazing experience. This is now my favorite way to see live music… and it’s always music I love. Professional venues now fall short of my expectations. I have been hosting them since I moved to Woodbine in 2014. I usually do 4-6 a year.
Variety is the Spice of Life
I try to find different styles of music, ranging from indie rock to folk, bluegrass, country and as many unique Instruments as I can find. The Artists discuss the rich history of the genre and music, answer questions and socialize during the “Pot Luck” party and intermission. Where else would you be able to see National and International Artists up-close and personal. Find them on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon and Like and follow them. It helps them more than you can imagine. Attend a house concert, buy the music if you like it. Artists get very little money out of streaming.
You can see some of the past Artists below, and the Pics link to their sites.
“Music is my religion”
Jimi Hendrix
Pot-Luck Happy Hour
Every House Concert is kicked off with a “Pot-Luck” Happy Hour. A lot of guests bring something to eat or drink—to share. Usually enough to share with 6 or 7 people. (We can’t have 30 people bring enough food to feed 30). The variety of Food/Drink people bring makes it a great time. You get to meet some very interesting people and socialize with the artist.
Bring your favorite dish/appetizer – we all have something we’re known for. Something ethnic, something different… Or out of a box. Wine, beer or soda is always safe.
We usually have 20-30 people show up—so there’s a great variety of food and drink. I usually contribute 3-Liters of Sangria, a 12-pak of beer and some Chips to start it off…. I also make 4 pounds of Pulled Pork BBQ. It is my “signature dish”.
⇒ Bring Your Favorite Drink ⇐
I have a pretty cool Bar that is fully stocked, but I try/hope not to have it raided during a show. It often does…. I won’t charge if you drink from it, but you can, on an Honor System.
Donate to the BAR to help re-stock it… The Slot Machine — takes bills.
The $15-$20 donation collected at the door — all (100%) goes to the artist. I keep nothing that is collected during the show. Please don’t consider the Artist’s Donation to be an OPEN BAR for you.
“Music is the strongest form of magic.”
Marilyn Manson
Bar Collection
Prior House Concert Artists
“Music is the strongest form of magic.”
Information for Artists Gary@dellazanna.com
I am a surgeon by training and currently work in cancer prevention research at the National Cancer Institute. I am not involved in the music industry at all– but have made some interesting connections over the years.
I have been hosting house concerts since I moved to Woodbine, MD in 2013. I host about 5 concerts a year on Fridays/Saturdays. A week day house concert would not be well attended where I live.
I am surprised and grateful for the amazing Artists who are interested in performing at my House Concerts Series. Music is like a religion to me. It clears my mind, displaces stress and can bring me back to special times. It is better than any medicine or therapy I know of. The world is a better place because some very special people are willing to pursue their dreams.
I recognize that you will not be getting rich performing at my House Concerts. I do everything I can to make it worth your while, and show you the respect you deserve. I make no guarantees on attendance – but I work hard to fill the space. I must be doing something right, I have managed to attract amazing talent from all over the country—and so far everyone is willing and interested in coming back.
Gary Della’Zanna
Details and Fine Print:
- I generally send out about 100+ invites to friends by e-mail and Facebook. People are encouraged to bring friends. Artists can promote it on their Social Media as well – It is open to all. I generally get between 20-40 people to show up. Prior to COVID-19 I had a couple shows with 50.
- There is a Pot-Luck Happy Hour party before the show— Most guests show up for it and bring something interesting to share—Food or Drink. It is a great time and there are some interesting people.
- You can do what ever you want. Most artists perform 2-sets. The 1st set usually last about 45 min, followed by a 30-45 min intermission. Artists usually socialize, sign-up followers, and sell Merch during intermission. I estimate about 15-20% will buy CDs
- I collect the “Door” when I announce the intermission break. I wait until intermission because some people show up late and I think if people like the music they might be more generous. I ask everyone to donate $15-$20 for the artist. I always remind people that the life of an Artist is hard—and that you traveled far to perform for them. 100% of whatever is collected goes to the Artists.
- I have a large music room that is about 18 x 18. The room is open to a large foyer—with 24 foot ceiling and steps to sit on. I put chairs in the music room and half of the foyer. The foyer has a wide archway opening into another room I converted into a bar. There is plenty of seats and standing room.
- I do not have an AMP or Mics. Most artists bring their own. I have a Baby Grand Piano and some LED Spot lighting.
- Artists are welcome to stay the night and I will make sure there is something for breakfast. I have an in-law suite in the basement with a separate entrance. There are 2 bedrooms with queen size beds, a kitchen, full bath, TV room, game room, and wireless internet. If you do not need 2 rooms, I might put out of town guests in the extra room. I sometimes get people from NY, NJ, PA to show up for my House Concerts.
- You are welcome to stay a few days (before and/or after) my House Concert if you have other gigs in the area and don’t have a place to stay. No Room Service, but Free is always better than paying Baltimore and D.C. hotel rates. The in-law suite allows for some privacy- you will not be in the middle of everything. If you stay with us for a few days, you are welcome to join us for dinners–but don’t expect fancy. We generally eat dinners together– you’re on own for Breakfast and Lunch.
Gary’s House Concert Series
Recognizes the following businesses for sponsoring the current House Concert.
All proceeds go to the Artist.
Cilantro’s Neighborhood Cantina
FUTURE SPONSORS
I am a surgeon currently work in cancer prevention research. I have been hosting house concerts since I moved to Woodbine, MD in 2013. I host 5-6 concerts a year on Fridays/Saturdays. I get artists from all over–including Europe. It is amazing. I am looking for “Sponsors” to contribute to the Artists. 100% will go to the Artist. This would be the best targeted marketing you could hope for. I generally get 20-40 guests, everyone is local, generous and support the Arts… and will support businesses that support the arts.
The House Concerts have a Pot-Luck happy hour that guests bring food and drink to share— I really am not asking for a Hand Out. I have done this for 9 years without “Sponsors” I figured I could make a Win-Win opportunity to help promote local businesses and increase donations for the Artists. I keep nothing. I am open to any suggestions you have to make this work for your business. A small cash donation to the Artist and/or a food sampler or wine/spirit tasing will get you promotional space on my website for about 2 months (seen by about 200 people/month) and we can set up a table during the show to promote your business– Sigs, Menus, Food, Drinks– what ever you want. And you are welcome to join us for the party. I am sure it will bring you new customers.
If you want to host the Artist at your venue–even better, I will set up the intros.
Gary Della’Zanna
Contact Me e-mail
I maintain a list of regular Invites, BUT I am always looking forward to meeting new friends—especially if they are already a Fan of the Artist.
My goal is to fill the house to capacity — the more the better for the Artist. I have never had it so crowded that anyone complained. Maybe that might be my actual goal.
100% of what is collected at the door goes to the Artist.
I only ask you RSVP to give me a head count– if you did not get a personal invite e-mail from me. I will send you the full address.