Gentry Blue Immerses Audiences in Sound

Gentry Blue is a much needed Prog-Art Rock band in Nashville; Here’s Why

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When was the last time you saw a band, where the lead singer rocked an electric violin? Several bands have utilized the instrument, but I can’t remember seeing one being played by the fronting person.  Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and Hot Tuna have extensively brought forth the piece and The Who and U2 have famously sprinkled it in, but Gentry Blue makes it a staple of their identity and it’s not a gimmick.  Lydia Gentry-DeBonis strokes the strings with her bow in a bluesy and symphonic tone that accentuates her counterparts in the band.  Lydia, as well as Sean Jannay and Preston Milne make up the core of this progressive art-rock group.  They rotate drummers with Lydia’s husband, Brendan Gentry-DeBonis playing many gigs and Sean filling in at the kit during recording sessions.  Tonight, they brought in New York percussionist Joe Lambert. 

I find myself in East Nashville once again- amongst a row of “Dive Bars” and independently operated live music venues.  I find the area to be a great section of the city where you can find hard working bands grinding out passionate sets on any given day of the week.  Downtown on Broadway you can certainly find an amplitude of fine musicians doing the same thing and the music is fantastic, but sometimes the tourists can be too much.  You won’t find a gaggle of bachelorettes in sparkled hats and boots sipping blue drinks from penis straws in this neck of the woods. If you do- marry them. East Nashville is a little rawer and more local driven. The strip includes famously great joints like The Underdog, The Cobra, The Basement East, The 5 Spot and so many more.  Tonight, I was patronizing The Cobra. Not only does this establishment offer cheap drinks and live music, but three different areas for the music to happen.  There’s a spot near the main bar, an outside space and “The Venue” which is just off to the right when you enter street-side. 

A few bands were laying down tunes tonight, but my focus was on Gentry Blue.  Lydia graciously left my name at the door and when I was walking in, she was setting up the merch table for the band.  That’s the grind – play the gig, but hopefully make enough at your table after the show to finance the next one.  I always try to grab a few things from the bands as I never want live music from the players to suffer any more than they must.   

She was so nice to talk to and let me know a little about what the show would entail that night. “Tonight is going to be a lot of new material” the lead vocalist explained. “We will play a few things from our first album Fragments, but we have a lot of new singles we’ve released and are currently compiling a second record.”   

Fragments is a fantastic record, full of deep instrumental driven dives, that I have listened to twice now (three since my edit).  I of course bought a copy of the wax after the show and maybe a CD, hat, t shirt and grabbed a few stickers as well.  Like I said, you need to support musicians and live music.  Gentry Blue had a “Midwest Special” which included the CD, Hat & Tee for $40.  “I’m from Cape Girardeau, Missouri” said Lydia, “So I have to include that midwestern hospitality”.  We chatted for a bit about the “Show Me State” as I also have a family history from there.  

Gentry Blue was established in 2018 by frontwoman Lydia when she was attending Belmont University.  Gentry Blue is a unique musical niche in the Nashville music scene.  As I often mention, Nashville has all kinds of genres to offer if you seek then out.  It is not just country, western, or country-western- It’s Music City after all.

From their website: 

“Since their debut EP, 2021’s Pyrite and Steel, which balances classic blues-influenced riffs with vintage psychedelic pomp, they have blossomed into a more sophisticated outfit showcasing powerhouse vocals, slicing electric violin, piercing guitar solos, existential lyrics, and theatrical performances. In 2024, Gentry Blue released their debut album, Fragments. The loose concept album, produced and mixed by member Sean Jannay, explores the space within us and outside of us while combining memorable pop hooks with heavier, progressive song structures. With their unapologetic passion, dedication to intelligent songwriting, and ability to push musical boundaries, Gentry Blue is poised to leave an indelible mark. With Fragments, Gentry Blue takes its place as one of the finest progressive art rock bands in Tennessee.” 

Lydia met her husband, Brendan when he agreed to join her band.  Sean Jannay was subbing in a lot for the group in 2022. He became a permanent fixture in 2023. Then, this past February they added Preston on bass.  The band still does not have a permanent drummer.  Sean is the catalyst for the music these days.  He arranges, writes and produces the current tracks.  Sean is a natural writer.  “I did much better in English classes than math”, he confided. “I used to write a lot of short stories, which then turned into songs”.  You can definitely catch these story-based themes across the band’s lyrics. He is a California kid who came here for the music.  His high school didn’t even have a music program.  Thanks, the government. 

When i asked Sean about his process he said, “I write the music first.” Lydia let me know that not only that, but “He writes on the toilet. All his best ideas come from there.”  I can neither deny nor confirm that’s where I am creating this article now.   

Preston Milne is not a Belmont alum but arrived via the Berklee College of Music .  He is properly taught in the art of music like the others and got his start at a young age with the School of Rock program.  He was involved with the music education collective for 6 years and was a mentor for another three. Preston told me about his family and growing up in San Diego before shipping off to Boston. “Everyone in my family played music and sang.  We would gather around and play and eventually my family band needed a bass player so picked up the bass”. He stands tall above the others and was wearing a sharp pair of black sunglasses in the dimly lit room.  With his look alone I could imagine him playing bass for the Velvet Underground at the Factory circa 1967. 

Joe was subbing in for this gig. He arrived in Middle Tennessee via New York.  Gentry Blue was playing first tonight on the bill because Joe had another gig downtown on the famed Broadway Street with his other band.  “I gotta head out to meet Frank. Frank is our guitar player also from New York.  I love playing with him because he has that New York thing when he plays” (Joe makes guitar playing motions).  ‘There are really good guitar palyers here, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just a different thing”.  Joe is loud in the best way possible.  I tend to gravitate towards that North East vibe and Joe fits that in spades. I mention that I was originally from Connecticut and he says, “My uncle was the former Governor of Connecticut! I have so many stories about us…” Sorry, that’s when Joe went off the record. 

The show was fantastic.  This was literally the first time that Joe sat in with the band to play a full set and it’s so impressive to see musicians just “figure it out”.  It is a talent for sure.  The band ran through a few pieces and transitions before the show started and then they were ready to go. 

The soundscapes and storytelling are what make the band eclectic and so wonderful.  The blend of electric blues and timely rhythms bounce deeply off the walls of this small club tonight.  The words are introspectively written but certainly resonate with the listener.  There is a Catharism that connects deeply.  It is not just surface blah, and I love that.  Lydia has an effervescent essence that reminds me of Evanescence.  Sorry, I thought of that line after two PBR’s, and wanted to work it in somehow. I think of her as what I would’ve wanted from Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter, Kelly when she embarked on her career.  Kelly had that “blah” factor.   

This trio and Joe have so much more. Gentry Blue wants to take you on a cosmic journey and emerge you in these existential themes.  I went along for the ride.  While I was trying to write tid-bits and snap pics, I was also listening intensely.  Sean plays tight riffs as he motions and points to his bandmates to make sure everyone stays in time and meets their marks.  He is a conductor, as well as all his other functions in this ensemble. Watching Sean play guitar is like watching a painter paint. He is beautifully controlled yet you can see all of his artistry wanting to pour out all at once. He harnesses that spillage into glorious brushstrokes of sound.

Preston stands as far away as he can without falling off the wooden planked stage.  I feel like if he could stand behind something, he would.  It is a testament to his art.  He does not have to be seen, only heard.  He plucks the strings with a calm coolness, and you can tell he has nearly mastered his instrument. With he and Joe combining on the tempo and timing the band is well rounded with precision and sound. 

‘Tourniquet’ is one of those new singles that the band played tonight and is a stand alone track. The next album drop that may or may not be called Fever Dream (and they promised not to sue me for saying that), is being put together currently.

 Lydia and the band posted on the socials about the track: 

Our song Tourniquet feels like it was written a couple of lifetimes ago– one from a place of insecurity and hurt. Now I’ve done a lot of healing since then (highly recommend therapy), and I feel like I’ve transformed into an entirely different person than the girl who wrote this song more than a couple of years ago. 

I suppose I’m just trying to say to you all– you can get through this. We will get through it together, and you are not alone, no matter the circumstance 💙 

She sings this song so eloquently, as she does all their work. Her head is often looking upwards as she croons. It appears that she is summoning someone or something to help her share the emotion that is stored within the words she is sharing. She does not try to do too much but rather the right amount is splashed onto the audience. Soft when she wants to be. Exulting when she has to be. Gentry Blue is the prog-rock band that Nashville needs. Please go see them when they are in you local establishment. Continue to support the art, the music and the passion of live musicians and the venues that they play.