Doors 6:30pm, Music 7:30pm

Abilene on the Road presents….

Live at the Historic Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610

A Double Album Release Party!

Al Olender

Songwriter Al Olender tries to grasp the brief, beautiful moments that make up our lives in slow-motion but finds that the tighter she holds on, the more these frames fall into a soupy blur. Change is our only constant, but what if we wanted to steep in the now? What if we could stay right here? Olender captures the anxieties of an ever-moving world with a sweet and silly sincerity on her second full-length album The Worrier, never shying away from staring the truth right in the face. Exploring anxiety, sexuality and anarchy, both in herself and in her relationships, Olender’s acoustic, bluesy melodies point to the butterflies of first crushes, the gut-punching realities of responsibility and the eternal romance of friendship.-Sammy Maine

https://alolender.com/

Greg Townson

Greg Townson has been making music most of his life, winning fans and making friends wherever he performs. Based in Rochester, New York, his music has brought him to stages all across the United States and Europe. Over the years Greg has built up a loyal audience through his spirited performances and tireless touring.

Greg began singing and playing guitar at the age of 15 and shortly after formed The Essentials, whose broad, roots music leanings led them to collaborate with everyone from rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley, jazz legends Bill Doggett & Pee Wee Ellis, soul singers John Ellison and William Bell, to folk legend Michael Hurley and many others. Greg's musical knowledge and expertise was sought out to provide production and songwriting work on a wide range of recording projects throughout those formative years.

Over the years, Greg's music has absorbed a multitude of influences, from doo-wop to country, from soul to standards, from blues to pop, always keeping Greg's unique take on first generation rock & roll in the forefront. Eschewing a setlist, Greg's performances keep traditional music alive in the best sense, always breathing new life into whatever genre he chooses to write and perform in, playing off an audience and never turning a performance into a museum piece.

In addition to The Hi-Risers and his solo playing, 2010 brought yet another dimension to Greg's work when he was asked to join the instrumental band Los Straitjackets.

Also in 2013, Greg released his first solo record, On Your Side. Partly recorded in London with producer Neil Brockbank, On Your Side is a collection of 12 original songs, displaying the variety Greg has always thrived on. Greg's second solo record, My Friend The Night was released in 2015. Also in 2015, a Nick Lowe/Los Straitjackets collaboration, The Quality Holiday Revue was released on Yep Roc Records. Nick & LSJ'S appeared on Conan O'Brien to promote the record.

During his long career, Greg has performed nonstop and has no plans of slowing down. "Traveling and playing for new people in new places is one of my favorite things," he notes. "I've always written songs with an audience in mind and now that i'm performing solo it's a whole new way of communicating with them. I'm thrilled by how well the shows are going and i learn something new every night. I think the audience can sense I'm having fun and they get caught up in the fun too."

https://www.facebook.com/gregtownsonmusic/

With Special Guest

Aubrey Haddard

 Aubrey Haddard seeks refuge in her creative discipline. Carving out a boundary-less space to explore the human experience, she creates a sonic landscape that is both epic and deeply personal. Layers upon layers of unapologetic guitars lay the foundation for Haddard’s vocals, heralded by critics as “harrowingly beautiful” (Clash Magazine) and “herculean” (The Line of Best Fit). Calling upon the inspirations of powerhouse PJ Harvey, and songwriters from Feist to Frusciante, Haddard blends the analog and the digital with eccentricity. Themes of Greek mythology and Japanese literature weave their way through her stories, inviting listeners to peek into her subconscious and share in the depths of something both raw and real.

https://www.aubreyhaddard.com/

Tickets: $25 and on sale now online at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar