Dirigo consists of guitarist Luke Patchen Montgomery (Strangefolk), bassist Erik Glockler (Strangefolk), guitarist Steve Jones (The Coming Grass, The Boneheads) and drummer Russ Lawton (Strangefolk and Trey Anastasio Band). All members sing, with the songwriting divided evenly between Montgomery, Glockler and Jones. The group has been playing on and off over the past 10 years under various names and decided on the name Dirigo in 2010. This Latin word is also the Maine State Motto (“I Lead”).
While Strangefolk’s passionate fan base provides strong support for the band throughout New England, the rocking alt-country influences will also attract fans from outside of the jam-band genre. Dirigo has crisscrossed the Northeast playing festivals as well as top rock clubs from Boston to Burlington. Their inaugural album, Jamericana was released in September 2011, and continues to receive press nationally. Their sound was aptly described by one writer as “The Stones jamming with The Allman Brothers at Willie Nelson’s barbecue.”
Dirigo was featured in the December 2011 Relix Magazine as one of “Five Bands You Should Know About” and in their online weekly “On The Verge” Dec 23, 2011. Dirigo’s inaugural album Jamericana was reviewed in The Portland Press Herald Jan 2012, Vermont 7Days in November 2011, and the Portland Phoenix in September 2011 and have enjoyed radio interviews with Mark Curdo of WCYY (Maine), Charlie Gaylord of WBLM (Maine) and Arty LaVigne of WDEV (Vermont) September-November 2011. They have also received media exposure on the Portland’s NBC affiliate TV program 207 and have been interviewed by Maine’s renowned journalists Emily Burnham for The Bangor Daily News and Aimsel Ponti for The Portland Press Herald
Dirigo Press Quotes:
“From blues to folk, R&B to pop, this record tests the sonic waters.” - Seven Days Album Review, Burlington, VT
“Combining the best parts of jam band and Americana…” -Aimsel Ponti, Portland Press Herald
“Dirigo is a great blend of folk and jam-oriented grooves with a hint of good country…” -Sam Shain, Village Soup
“Jamericana is … catchy, easy in its own skin, and familiar in a good way from the first listen.” -Sam Pfeifle/Album Review, The Portland Phoenix
“ a mix of alt-country and jam band that’s satisfyingly groovy while being deeply melodic.” -Emily Burnham, Bangor Daily News
“…sure to be a fixture on the jam band circuit.” -George Tibbietts, Jr., The Valley Voice
“Start getting excited about DIRIGO…the combination of STRANGEFOLK alums (ERIK GLOCKLER and LUKE PATCHEN MONTGOMERY) and Maine roots standard-bearer STEVE JONES …has both the pedigree and the chops to be pretty damn impressive.” - The Boston/Portland Phoenix
“Each member of this band is an accomplished musician in his or her own right…they each bring years of live performance, session work in the studio and song writing skills to the table. The blending of that experience, coupled with a true love, a passion for the music they play, makes for one good ole Maine stew.” –Liz Betit, LiveMaineMusic.com
Erik Glockler – Bass/Vocals
Luke Patchen Montgomery – Guitar/Vocals
Steve Jones – Guitar/Vocals
Russ Lawton – Drums
