In Newtown Square just south of Route 3 on Route 252 in a dull, typical strip mall stands a surprisingly upscale coffee joint. I went out to Burlap and Bean on March 9th to see Foxhound. The venue runs a tight ship; if you arrive during a set you can only enter between songs. While I waited for Foxhound’s song to end I was told there were stools toward the back of the room, not to block the aisles because it creates a fire hazard, and that drinks utilizing the espresso machine could be purchased during intermission. Like I said it’s a tight ship, but for good reason. As Vinegar Creek Constituency front man Leonardo DiSanto later said it’s a “pin-drop” sort of venue.
I stepped in through the door and immediately bowed my head to the floor. It was like that old cliché where the not-so-tough dude walks into the wrong bar, conversation stops, and all the roughnecks turn their heads and stare. I would've been more comfortable in the cliche but in this scenario the bikers and rednecks were relatively affluent baby boomers. I kept my eyes cast downward and hurriedly scuttled to the back of the room. If you show signs of submission then the aging rich will judge you less.
Sadly, I arrived too late to hear Foxhound play more than one song but, after a brief intermission, Vinegar Creek Constituency took the stage. Their set played out nicely. The music they play is bluegrass and folk with just a tinge of pysch. They warmed up the slightly stiff audience with their alt-psych-folk tunes, and gently nudged them into straight-ahead up-tempo bluegrass. A couple of 60-somethings took to their feet and gently swayed with the beat. Another white haired man sat at the edge of his seat, khakis riding up his shins exposing long white socks, enthralled by the bands’ riffage; well into middle age but expressing the rapture of a 6 year old. One woman stared at her phone for much of the set; she must’ve been engaged in an intense game of Sudoku.
Halfway through, guitarist, front man, and primary song writer DiSanto said he typically calls out songs to the band but for this venue he created a set list to follow. I asked him in an interview if he planned the build he created in this show. He attributed it to luck but I attribute it to skill whether it’s conscious or innate. From the heavy lilt of ballads like “Shadows” and “No Darlin’ One” to the frenetic pick-fest that is “Brad Lidge Breakdown” or the fever of the almost gospel “Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah”, Leo DiSanto knows how to set the tone.
“Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah” isn’t quite a gospel. It sings for joy in your bleak, hopeless life. Through the course of the song he presents you many of the factors contributing to your melancholic existence and gives you the best reason to love it. In more poetic words he sings, ‘if there’s no god, praise god!’ If everything is just what it is and nothing more, if there is no greater meaning to life then, “What the hell, Hallelujah!”
“Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah” appears on the bands’ 2013 release Don’t Go Back in Time. There are many reasons why you should listen to this album but that song is a big one. The core of the group, Leo and mandolinist Jeff, are taking a quick jaunt up north as the Vinegar Creek Constituency Duo. They’ll be back to their Lancaster County stomping grounds April 26th where they’ll be playing Shanks Tavern. And if you’re looking for a classy night out with your babe you should check out Burlap and Bean. Don’t forget the bottle of wine; it’s BYOB.