Warren-based country and western band Co. Townes will make its television debut on PBS tonight at 8 p.m., featured on the WPSU series, “Metronome from the Attic.”
The band, which has been together for almost five years, features lead singer Jody Aiello, who is from Kane originally and still works there at Dangelos; Sara Aiello, the band’s singer/harmonica player who works as the Elementary/Middle School art teacher in Kane; Eric Morelli, vocals/guitar; Nate Blick, drums; and Andy King, bass.
The band is seen performing five of their original songs, including the previously unreleased “32 Special.”
A press release from the band explained, “We wanted to play 32 Special, because it shows more of the groove our sound is falling into with psychedelic guitar, biting harmonica and western imagery.”
During the show, the band wears unique custom-made rhinestone suits, which they created themselves.
“Each member of the band was responsible for their own suit and they took weeks of work. We chose patches that best suited our personalities, so each one is very personalized,” Morelli explained via email. “Jody is very interested in the old west so he stayed true to a cowboy theme with horseshoes, cacti, revolvers, roses, rattlesnakes, and cattle. Sara’s is all floral as she is a very summery outdoorsy person.”
Morelli noted he chose a life and death theme using symbolism like sunrise/sunset, snakes, skulls, and flowers.
In the background of the set, neon cacti are a highlight of the props used, and they connect with the band’s current focus in both visuals and lyrics.
“‘Heading for the Canyon’ is about heading out west following true love,” Morelli explained. “Co. Townes has been playing around with Western imagery.”
Filming took three hours, and the band was impressed with the crew’s professionalism throughout the process.
“Playing our music on a TV set was new for Co. Townes, but the professionalism of the production crew made us feel secure. It ended up being a really good time,” says singer/harmonicist Sara Aiello.
Metronome showcases live performances and interviews from Pennsylvania artists performing original music at The State Theatre “Attic” in State College.
“We connected with the WPSU crew through the folks at Laughing Owl Press Co. in Kane last year. It’s quite the honor,” said Morelli. “We’re grateful to everyone who made it happen.”
Singer/Guitarist Jody Aiello said, “Playing Metronome gave me the feeling of the band moving forward. Hopefully, this opens opportunities for bigger and better things to come.”
Co. Townes is performing a Halloween show at the Westline Inn on November 2. For more information, visit www.wpsu.com and www.cotownes.com.
