Local Catch Of The Week: Frank Viele From Milford, CT
Frank Viele has been a busy artist. Since we last heard from him, he’s been traveling the country sharing his unique brand of music. The grit, soul and fire is…
Frank Viele has been a busy artist. Since we last heard from him, he's been traveling the country sharing his unique brand of music. The grit, soul and fire is still there. But there's more of a worldly edge to his sound.
Frank's new release had me immediately drawing comparisons to other impassioned, gravel-toned singers; Bruce Springsteen and Kip Moore. It's the worn-leather, cigar-smoking, blue collar -sweat, rock intensity that conjures up these comparisons. Don't get me wrong, this artist is uniquely Frank Viele. It's written on his musical imprint. It's the lyrics, the soulfulness and performance that put this artist in category of his own. You can feel the aches, sense the joy and smell true artistry with this singer/songwriter.
Learn more about Frank Viele below. And don't miss the 2022 New England Music Awards Songwriter of the Year in his upcoming Boston performance at City Winery with a former American Idol winner.
Volume Up On Viele
Listen to Frank's new song, "Hearts We Left Behind." He says the song is "about the bravery of moving forward. It’s a story about two folks who meet later in life and use their troubled past to provide perspective and build a strong and happy future together."
Frankly Speaking
- From: Hamden, CT
- Grew up in: Milford, CT
- Now lives in: Hamden, CT
- Current single “Hearts We Left Behind”
- What lead you to music: I started playing my gramma’s piano when was three years old. I haven’t looked back since.
- How old when you started: I really started along my writing and guitar journey in the 6th grade.
- First country song you learned: Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) (Garth Brooks)
- Instruments played: Guitar and Vocals mainly but during the writing process I play lots of other instruments like keys, bass, ukulele, and percussion.
- How would you describe your sound: Rock Based Americana with an infusion of country and soul.
- Who inspires you: Modern artists like Jason Isbell, Will Hoge, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, John Moreland, Bob Schneider, Chris Cornell and Dave Matthews. Classic artists such as Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, The Allman Brothers, James Taylor, BB King, Willie Nelson, Curtis Mayfield, The Staple Singers and Tom Petty also make up a huge part of my musical inspiration.
- Awards/accolades: 2022 New England Music Awards Songwriter of the Year
- Dream duet partner: Carole King
- All- time favorite country song: Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde (Travis Tritt/James LeBlanc)
- What songs do you like now on Country 1025: Going, Going, Gone – Luke Combs
- If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: Own A record store
- Day Job: I design and implement forward thinking classroom furniture in schools across the country.
- Most proud moment: Getting invited on stage by John Waite to play guitar and sing backup on Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love!
- Crazy thing that happened in your music career: Getting to play with Blues Traveler on the field where I played my first tee ball game.
- Other things you like to do: I’m an avid record collector and I listen to 365 records a year cover to cover. I also make a corresponding spotify playlist with my favorite song off each album.
- Fun facts: I have a substantial Funko Pop Collection. In my “free time” I refurbish old pieces of furniture for fun. I did my high school closing project on the philosophy behind The Simpsons.
Showtime
2/2/23 – City Winery in Boston w/ American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze
Follow Frank
Keep up with Frank's live shows, new music and more on his social media sites
Pics and Posts
Are YOU a Catch?
Every week, Kruser's Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.
*Singer/songwriters with original music: Please submit for consideration on The Local Catch by emailing: carolyn.kruse@bbgi.com
