This time, we get to know The Argonauts, a band of heroes that hail from the mythical land of Pittsburgh. While on their quest for the Golden Fleece, they discovered a mutual love of music.
Dale Mangold, Tenor saxophone, vocals, songwriter, horn section arranger
Joe Pucciarelli, lead vocal, guitar
Kevin Ward, guitars, vocal
Joe Shields, Bass, vocals
Matt Penco, keyboards, vocals
Louis Costa, drums
Matt Needles, Alto saxophone
Zach Spondike, Bari saxophone
Luke Franks, trumpet
The track "More Notes Less Vibrato" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
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1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
The Argonauts currently hail from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Although our origins take us back to atop Mt. Olympus and various ancient lands. Our ongoing quest to find the Golden Fleece has brought us to reside in Pennsylvania where we currently have been creating our music.
"Be yourself, don't be afraid to think, and in this case, "play" outside your musical comfort zone."
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
I myself come from a musical family. My father played saxophone and my mother violin. Taking piano lessons as a child, along with my sister, I began playing the clarinet which led to the saxophone. .y older sister showed me the Born to Run album by Bruce Springsteen. She pointed to Clarence Clemons and told me to learn all of his saxophone solos. Which I did.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
Bruce Springsteen, David Sanborn, Chicago early on. Along with KISS, Van Halen, Rolling Stones, The Beatles. More recently, I'm influenced by Here Come the Mummies. Their writing style, horn arrangements, hooks, tongue in cheek humor is second to none.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
A few goals are to continue to write and create good music which makes people happy. If by some crazy chance a song gets national recognition, that would be icing on the cake and a major accomplishment obviously.
Mainly to continue to expand by playing live shows and recording, whether it be my own compositions or session work.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
Record it record it record it! Mainly so I don't forget the idea, lol. But typically I hear a beat or bass line in my head. As a horn player, I'm always thinking of horn parts. But I also play guitar, and piano, so I'm also thinking or writing in those mindsets as well.
Writing the music has always been easier for me than writing lyrics. I pride myself on being able to write strong, catchy hooks and melodies. I do write lyrics, but I'm far from being a Neil Peart lyrically for example. I can come up with a decent beat anyway if the week. Words, I struggle at times.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Wow, that is a very tough question to answer. My music taste is so very broad. I'm a rocket, yet I live singer-songwriters to punk to new wave and grunge. Ha, even disco! If I need to narrow it down, I would say either Born to Run by Springsteen. Going back to my older sister instructing me to learn all of the Boss's songs and The Big Man's sax solos.
7. What is the best advice or council you have either given or received in terms of music?
Be yourself, don't be afraid to think, and in this case, "play" outside your musical comfort zone. That way you grow much more rapidly and stronger. Too many musicians stay within that musical comfort zone and never give themselves the opportunity to expand. Also if you can play with musicians that are better than yourself. This helps you become a better, stronger musician as well. Plus it gives you confidence.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Musically. Watching my son, Gabe grow musically in his own career. He has been able to tour the world at a very young age. Playing show after show, night after night. Building his reputation and making a career out of it.
9. What is something about you that might surprise someone who knows you the best?
I'm at my most peaceful space when I'm alone. Which most people wouldn't realize, as I'm a social butterfly. I'm always doing something, playing a show, community involvement and so on. I'm still very at peace and happy doing those said things, but when I'm alone just relaxing, chilling out. I'm in heaven. Oh, and I'm also a crazy cat person.
𝟭0. Tell us about your highest and lowest points in music so far.
A low or two, early on not having the experience to properly market myself. I feel if I was better educated in that area, more doors would have been available for me to open.
A few of my highs would be opening up for a handful of national touring acts over the years. Playing saxophone while I was still in college with one of the female vocalists who used to tour with The Drifters. Playing in a band not only with my son, Gabe but also my daughter, Sara. All and all I'm very happy with how things have gone.
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