Vinny Palese finds his footing as a folk drifter amid Pittsburgh’s music scene
Singer-songwriter Vinny Palese considers himself a drifter in the Pittsburgh music scene.
“Just blow in, cause a scene and then get out,” he said.
His debut album, “Doesn’t Play Well With Others,” dropped in May after several EPs and singles over the past few years.
”It has a very at-home feeling mixed with a couple live-sounding stompers,” he said. “Songs about life, death and everything in between!”
With a third EP in the works, Palese said it can be challenging as a solo independent artist.
“Definitely getting shows booked,” he said. “It’s hard in Pittsburgh as a folk musician.”
But he’s enjoyed making friends within the Pittsburgh music community, with the payoff of local shows.
“(I enjoy) making a connection with the crowd and getting to share my music with people in a live setting,” he said.
Palese filled in TribLive on what else we should know about his music:
Musical act: Vinny Palese
Band members: Vinny Palese (guitar, vocals, harmonica)
Founding story: I picked up a guitar at 4 years old, played around in some blues bands while serving in the Marine Corps and then turned to singer/songwriter.
For fans of: Gregory Alan Isakov, Bob Dylan, The Lumineers, Nathaniel Rateliff
Influences: Pearl Jam, David Ramirez, Mumford & Sons, John Prine, Jason Isbell, The Killers. I also really love the ‘80s new wave stuff. And heavier stuff as well like Queens of the Stone Age, Jack White and Highly Suspect.
Releases: “Doesn’t Play Well With Others” album, May 2025; “D.L.B.” EP, November 2024; “The Bedroom Tape” EP, January 2024; multiple singles including “The Great Divide.”
Next show: Sept. 7, Poetry Lounge with Garrett Owen and Alex Bergan
How to find him: Palese’s social media accounts can all be found on his Linktree.
Three other Pittsburgh area bands to check out: Arden Webster, Coltt Winter Lepley, Poster Child
Favorite pizza shop: Frank’s Pizza and Chicken
Related
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Josie Sal
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Mark Micchelli
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Rachel Whitcomb
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: The Pump Fakes
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Arden Webster
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: The Zells
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Stereo Scandal
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Benefits
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: 9sundays
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: New Kink
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Nowhere Wolves
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Mia Z
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Mellowscape
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Broom
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Gary Pratt
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Woodland Creatures
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Jessica Bella Band
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Dereos Roads & Jumbled
• Pittsburgh local music spotlight: BBGuns
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: XDB
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Rattle Bones
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Mégane
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Chip and the Charge Ups
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Aliquid Novi
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Six Gun Sally
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Tony From Bowling
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Hemlock for Socrates
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Radio 45
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: ...By The Deed
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: The Sewerheads
• Pittsburgh local band spotlight: Pitter Patter
Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.