Tony Venuto is a veteran independent musician making his solo professional recording debut in 2023. The eclectic San Francisco-based singer, songwriter and guitarist has an indie-rock vibe inspired by decades of alternative, new wave, dark wave and garage rock.
He cites groundbreaking visionaries like David Bowie, U2, Peter Gabriel, Beck, and Miles Davis as inspiration. Although he takes his cues from these legends, Tony Venuto spins these influences into a sound that is distinctly his own. On his debut record, Tony states his case with 10 guitar-driven pop/rock nuggets that blend elements of popular music from across the decades.
20 Years is the brand new album from Tony Venuto, released worldwide via all major streaming services on January 31, 2023. On the ten-song set, the NorCal guitar-slinger takes us on a tour of the best bits of alternative, AOR and classic rock from the 60’s to the present day. Along the way he tells personal tales of love, loss, nostalgia and social commentary.
On the record Tony Venuto is joined by a crack studio band. Bassist Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie, The Black Crowes, Elvis Costello) and drummer Eyal Satat (Oakland Drum School), keep it in the pocket. Italian vocalist Dee Wolf provides some pristine backing vocals and harmonies, and guitarist Liam Howland plays counterpoint to Tony’s axe. The band slides easily through the album’s changes, from the new-wave synth-pop of “Ghost in My Head” to the prog-rock infused closer “Dominos”.
The 80’s loom large on “20 Years”. However, Tony weaves elements of his many other influences into that vibe. For instance, tracks like “Out to Sea” recall the alt-soul of Paul Weller’s Style Council. However, Tony injects a nice dose of acid rock guitar into the mix for good measure. Elsewhere he pairs 90’s alt-rock grooves with new-wave hooks, as with the Buggles-inspired backing vocals on “Radio”.
As the record progresses, Tony Venuto and crew dig a bit deeper into the record bin. Psychedelic rock tracks like “Choked-up” and “Fires from Space” are a great mix of modern indie and classic rock. He gets down and dirty for some gritty blues and a Bo-Diddley beat on “Broadway Rose”, and drops some barn-burner Chuck Berry guitar on “Dig it Up”.
Check out Tony Venuto’s 20 Years in its entirety below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the song “Ghost in My Head” on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. Follow the links below to connect with the artist. Get on his socials and get in the loop.
