Local hard rock/heavy metal band Familiar Voices recently raised the roof with their first showcase at Heritage bar in Yonkers this past Saturday, making them the second Iona-student-composed band to do so (following Paper Moon). As someone who attended the event with a group of buddies, I can attest that it was a great time all around. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with one of the guitarists of Familiar Voices, my good friend and fellow Iona student, Joseph Sullivan. Read our conversation below:

Jake Lhotan (JL): What inspired you to take on music? Were there specific artists that influenced your journey?

Joseph Sullivan (JS): Seeing up-and-coming bands, such as Dexter & The Moonrocks, on social media made me realize it would be possible to ‘take music to a higher level.’ We have (been) influenced by Alice in Chains and Deftones and are in the process of creating music of a similar style.

JL: How would you say your various open mic performances at Mohansic Bar in Yorktown helped you?

JS: I’d say it definitely helped me to be comfortable playing in front of a crowd. It’s a very supportive environment where more experienced musicians have been able to offer me good feedback on how to be better

JL: Was there a funny/memorable moment during rehearsal?

JS: Our lead guitarist, Aaron Lynch, fried the speaker in one of my amps on our  first day of practice. And then it happened again… [Joe laughs]

JL: What was your favorite song to play? How would you describe the overall experience at Heritage?

JS: “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots. Very friendly and welcoming staff who were eager to have us come back for a future show.

JL: Speaking of which, is there anything that you would like to improve upon for future performances?

JS: We want to work on making exciting set lists while adding our flair by including some originals. Also, on a personal front, I would like to expand my skills as a guitar player to bring more to the table.

JL: With this in mind, does Familiar Voices have any future plans?

JS: As of right now, our tentative plan is to play again at Heritage May 8th. More merchandise will be in the works too, possibly with updated designs.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Joseph Sullivan for taking the time to speak with me. For anybody who missed the first show, be sure to catch Familiar Voices next time! If you’re ever interested in seeing Sullivan perform on his own, stop by the Mohansic Bar & Grill in Yorktown Heights for their open mics on Thursdays!