In the spotlight – Morningside Lane
Morningside Lane is a five piece alternative/rock band from New Jersey consisting of Marc Del Giudice (lead vocals), Frankie P (bass), Brian Morelli (drums), Dennis Matusche (keyboard) and Brandon Broderick (lead guitar). The band was formed in 2009, but the lineup as changed over the years.
How did the band get together?
“The band members all live in different parts of New Jersey. Marc met Brian from another project back in 2016. Marc also connected with Frankie through Facebook. Frankie recruited Brandon. Then later on in 2020 Frankie recruited Dennis from a Facebook post.”
What’s the story behind the band name? I understand the band was named after a street in Marc’s hometown.
“There’s not much of a story behind the band name. Other than it’s a street in Marc’s hometown of Palisades Park. He later found out his mother and grandparents lived there when they first came to America.”
In 2020 you released your first full length album ‘These Are Our Years’ as a four-piece band. How has the pandemic affected you? I assume you had plans to tour with the ‘These Are Our Years’?
“We had plans to play a lot of shows and really push the album. We were going to continue with our 2019 formula “play every show”, but 2020 forced us to adjust and think of other ways to be heard.”
Your album has the Jersey Sound of Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. After the recording of the album you recruited keyboardist Dennis. Your new single ‘Temperamental’ gravitates towards a more 80s pop/synth sound. Is this a new and different direction for the band?
“Yes this is a fresh new direction for the band. Marc wanted write in a more pop direction. It came very naturally. It didn’t feel forced or insincere.”
Marc wrote the following about ‘Temperamental’ on Facebook:
“As the song was coming together in early 2021 I kept wondering who the character in the song was. I was confused because during quarantine I kept myself pretty isolated from people. Then I realized It was me communicating with myself after one of the coldest and longest winters of my life.”
What can you tell me about your creative process?
“The creative process is always different. It can start with a riff, a lyric, a word. It’s whatever is talking to you at the moment thats going to guide you to the finish line. Trust the process.”
What can we expect next? Are you working on a new album?
“You can expect a string of singles throughout the next year leading up to another full length album.”
Are you planning to do any live shows in the near future?
“Yes, we will be certainly booking more shows. We have a big one coming up on August 6th at the house of Independents in Asbury Park, NJ. Hit us up for tickets!”
You’ve opened for and played side stages for some amazing bands including Blink-182, My Chemical Romance and Weezer. If you could pick any band to open up for who would you pick?
“If we had to open up for one band it would be the 1975.”
What would you like to achieve in the next 5 years?
“We would like to achieve a dedicated fan base so we can continue doing what we love, keep releasing the best music we can make and connecting with our fans in every way.”
What’s your favourite song from the Cool Top 20?
“My favorite song from the Cool Top 20 is ‘Under the Oak Tree‘ from Leavetaking. I still have a soft side for folk rock.”
What song would you like to add as a bonus track and why?
“We would love to add ‘Under the Notion‘ to the list. This is one of the standout tracks from our first album ‘These are our Years’.”
www.morningsidelane.com
