BLANK SLATE MEDIA September 13, 2019
YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING
LETTUCE BRINGS MODERN FUNK BY B I L LY F I T Z PAT R I C K
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odern funk is coming to Westbury on Saturday, Sept. 21, when the band Lettuce pays a visit to The Space. While Lettuce is considered a funk band, guitarist Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff says the band’s music will also include hip hop elements and will attempt to break genres. “We try to become genreless at points,” said Smirnoff. “You can expect improvisations, mostly instrumental, but we do have a vocalist (Nigel Hall) who is absolutely incredible and will do a couple vocal tunes as well.” Playing on Long Island is a homecoming of sorts for Smirnoff, who lives in Denver but is from the Westchester area. “Long Island and New Jersey – we’re playing Asbury Park the night before – both of those, for me, are special,” said Smirnoff. “I have family in both New Jersey and New York so that weekend will be the homecoming weekend. I’ll have some family coming out to the shows when we’re out there.” The Boston-originated band has been touring since the end of August for its newest album, “Elevate.” The band’s sixth
studio album was released on June 14. “It’s been a long process for this record as far as when the idea starts forming, when we started forming the music and when we finally got in the studio,” said Smirnoff. “This has been a couple of years in the making but there’s a lot more than meets the eye and I think sooner than later there will be a couple more releases before you know it.” The band celebrated the release of “Elevate” by performing at the
fourth annual Rage Rocks at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on June 15, just one day after the album’s release. The performance featured two full sets from Lettuce, one being a Jerry Garcia Band cover. “[Red Rocks] is definitely one of my favorite places in the entire world,” said Smirnoff. “You become one with the dinosaurs when you play at Red Rocks. It’s a bucket list destination. That and The Gorge, where we just opened up for Dave
Matthews Band, are some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever played at.” To those who will attend Lettuce’s Long Island appearance on Sept. 21, Smirnoff said: “I’ll see you out there, I’m looking forward to it, and I can’t wait to be back on the East Coast. If you get the chance to look up the album ‘Elevate,’ check it out and if you learn it, you’ll probably have a better time at the show.” “Elevate” can be found on all major streaming platforms or it can
be purchased through the band’s website, www.lettucefunk.com. For more information on the sixpiece modern funk band, you can check out the band’s bio on its website. Tickets to Lettuce’s show at The Space at Westbury can be purchased through TicketMaster or through the venue’s box office, which can be reached at 516-283-5566.