Write a commentRanjit Dighe and Anne Pagano opened their doors of their historic East Third Street home on Sunday to about thirty friends for a pre-holiday gathering.
Marking the occasion was a performance by Oswego native Trent Yule, a singer-songwriter who now calls Rochester home.
“This is the third performance we've hosted this year, and our fourth overall,” Ranjit Dighe said. “After seeing Trent play live at the Abilene Bar & Lounge in Rochester, I almost immediately talked to him about playing a show in our home.”
Yule, who has only been playing guitar and singing since 2022, began performing occasionally in the Rochester area in 2023. He released his debut EP, Death And Other Drugs just this fall.
His music fits solidly in the Americana and folk genres, and the songs from his EP reflect that style. “I particularly like Tyler Childers’ music,” he said. “I don't think there's anyone else out there that sets stories to music the way he does.”
Trent opened his set on Sunday with a song Childers has covered, called ‘Harlan Road,’ then moved on to one of his own originals, ‘Bad Habit.’ In his introduction to the song, Trent revealed that it was written after he gave up drinking alcohol.
“That's actually some of what inspired me to pick up my guitar after many years of not playing,” he said. “I wasn't going out drinking any more, and I began playing and singing to occupy my mind.” He continued, “As I felt more comfortable, I began to put some of my thoughts on paper, and started putting melodies with them.” His lyrics are introspective and somewhat dark, “...but those are the words that need to come out.”
The next original Trent played was ‘Songwriter's Son,’ about Justin Townes Earle, son of Steve Earle of ‘Copperhead Road’ fame. The song is about the pressures and expectations placed on the son to follow in his famous father's footsteps.
Yule accompanied himself on acoustic guitar, an all-wood Art & Luthrie model from Canada, and sang in a clear tenor voice, reminiscent of Americana superstar Jason Isbell.
Other songs from Yule's EP followed: ‘Attone,’ ‘Death And Other Drugs,’ ‘Ellison Park’ (about a park in Rochester where he and wife Allie take their dog), and ‘Abyss,’ which he said takes its melody from Townes Van Zandts's song, ‘One.’
Trent also paid respect to his father Rich, who was in the audience along with most of his family. ‘Your Shoes’ is a song Trent wrote about the trials of becoming an adult, and wondering what it would be like “to walk in your shoes.”
Yule ended his set with a brand new song, ‘A Moment In The Few,’ which he had never played in public before, followed by the first song he ever wrote, ‘Rescue Me,’ to close the show.
The appreciative audience rose to its feet, giving Trent Yule a well-deserved standing ovation. Yule beamed at the audience, reveling in the applause for a job well done.
Speaking with the hosts following Trent's performance, Ranjit Dighe said, “This performance exceeded our expectations. Trent put on a great show, and our guests really enjoyed it.”
According to a note on a chalkboard in the kitchen, Dighe and Pagano will be continuing their hosting duties in the near future. Singer-songwriter Amelia White, billed as East Nashville's Finest Funeral Singer, will be playing in April 2025 - as the sign says, “The House Concerts Continue.”
