Lou Montesano is like very few musicians I have met in my decade plus of covering the Asbury Park music scene. Meeting him off stage, he’s one of the most down-to-earth, chill, and friendly dudes you want to meet. The guy you’d gladly buy a pint for, and just talk about whatever.
But put a microphone in front of his face, and a guitar in his hand, and the transformation is wild. He suddenly commands (not demands) all the attention in the room. His presence as a frontman is stunning, and his voice is pure rock ‘n’ roll. The down-to-earth chill vibe is still there, but this undeniable star quality, this aura of being one of the pillars of the Asbury music scene for years, that comes to the forefront. The dude is royalty in this scene, yet remains one of the humblest guys in the room.
Lou Montesano will be performing at Pop Break’s annual Christmas Party and Charity Toy Drive in Convention Hall on Saturday December 14 along with Lowlight, The Clydes, and GayGuy/StraightGuy. We caught up with him to talk about his band, The Morgan Freemasons, his show at The Anchor’s Bend every week, his solo work, and the scene’s been a part of for a long time.
I have to ask the most obvious, but most intriguing questions first. The Morgan Freemasons is one of the best band names I’ve ever heard — what’s the story behind it?
Thank you. We actually get that a lot. And that’s pretty much all there is to the name. No great story, unfortunately. It’s just a name I thought that would really pop when people see it around town on a sticker. I wanted something that was slightly clever that people would want to investigate.
Many people remember you from your days as the lead singer of Status Green. When you guys formed The Freemasons in 2016 what were you searching for musically (e.g. a specific sound, new lyrical direction, playing on influences you never did before, or just having a fun time with some friends) with this band, as opposed to Status, and other projects you were doing?
The Morgan Freemasons was all about timing. I’ve been friends with Joe, Ryan, and Wimbly for a pretty long time. Not close friends like we are now, but we were definitely acquainted through the Asbury music scene. We happened to share a rehearsal space at the Hot Dog House for years before we decided to start jamming. I had some new songs that I’d been working on and I needed a good band band to bring them to life.
The guys had been performing under the name From Ghosts for a while, and they seemed open to the new collaboration. Next came the name, and before you knew it we were a band. This band is all about expression and the love of performing. I wouldn’t say we’re very ambitious. Besides trying to put good songs together and make good records, we don’t really plan to tour.
You are currently doing a residency at Anchor’s Bend on Fridays called The Moonglow Show. Give the people a breakdown of what they can expect from this show every week?
The Moonglow Show is a weekly get together that I host for art-driven people on Friday nights. I’ll basically book a couple artists to play a set each. It’s almost always acoustic. The sets are pretty short 25-30 min. I’m trying to carve out a cool spot for artists to come hang out as well. I’m probably showing my age here, but I’m a little over the crowds. All the old spots in town seem to be filled to the brim with drunk kids. It’s fun once in a while, but most of the time I’m not in mood to wait too long for a drink or the bathroom. That’s what I’m trying to do with The Moonglow Show. It’s cool and casual spot to create and support art.
You also do some solo gigs — is this all original work, or are you mixing in covers?
I guess it depends where I’m playing. If you see me at Woody’s in Farmingdale for instance, I’m usually just playing to entertain. I’ll throw the originals in there, but that would be an example of a place I would play primarily covers. Just trying to make a few bucks.
Any thoughts on doing a solo album?
Yes, as a matter of fact I’ve been working on my first official solo record. I’m going the singer/songwriter path and I’m really excited about it. I’m getting a little ambitious with this one. I’ve been filming a whole lot and will be attempting to make a documentary that will feature tons of footage captured over the years — even from the earliest Status Green days. All of that stuff was luckily documented. All of it.
I guess it will be primarily about me, but I really want to tie it into what what music means to people. All people. Artists in particular. I don’t have to tell many people reading this, but you certainly don’t have to fall into the “successful category” to be completely overtaken by art and music. And that is definitely what has happened to me from a very early age. I believe a lot of people can relate to that. We’ll see what happens. We’ve been putting a good amount of effort into filming everything so I hope it turns out as good as I think it could be — both the record and film.
You’ve been a longtime staple of the Asbury music scene for a long time — how was the scene changed for the good or bad?
It’s always good, or at least you have to believe it’s always good. As long as people are putting passion and effort into their work, then Asbury Park will always be a healthy place for art and expression. As far as what’s happening with the influx of the new condo class in town, that’s a different story. But I won’t comment on that right now. As far as the art community, it’s all good.
With 2020 upon us what are you most excited for, musically, in the coming year?
I just hope I write a bunch of new songs this year and they don’t suck. That would be the best I could wish for musically. I’m keeping it simple.
