Lux Deluxe at The Iron Horse on Friday, November 29 2024

The first thing you’ll notice about LUXDELUXE is the singer, Ned King. He might be high-kicking, rolling on the floor, or squeezed up alongside drummer Jake Edwards with his own set of sticks in hand. Bassist Jacob Rosazza and rhythm guitarist Jake Manzi lean into their mics as Ned does, and 3-part Eagles-esque harmonies roll out. Then the energy shifts to stage left, where lead guitarist, Caleb Rosazza has started soloing, and you know you’re in for a good night. 

LuxDeluxe began in a poster-plastered basement in Northampton, Massachusetts in 2009. Three young cousins and two friends got together to play rock & roll, surrounded by stacks of records that included NRBQ, JJ Cale, and Tom Petty. The band rapidly gained recognition for their high-octane shows that left audiences sweaty and earned them the opportunity to share stages with Deer Tick, White Denim, Reptar, Lake Street Dive, Rubblebucket, J Mascis, NRBQ, and Big Al Anderson. 

After a decade of writing, recording, and touring, a founding member of the band moved to LA to pursue film work. The pandemic closely followed. Like many bands during the events of 2020, LuxDeluxe went through a quiet period, during which they slowly built up a recording studio in an old warehouse building, and amassed a hoard of vintage guitars, keyboards, and amps. As guitarist Caleb Rosazza built up his inventory of recording gear, the rest of the band dug into honing their own skills, playing with other Western Mass bands, co-writing, and recording for other projects. 

In 2022, the band re-convened to write and record over 100 songs, working and re-working to find their sound and identity again. And when they found themselves on stage for 2 sold-out New Year’s shows with NRBQ in 2023, something fell into place. 

Their first new music in 7 years will be released in Fall 2024. This will be the band’s 6th release and 4th full-length album in the 15 years they have been together. The joy is still there. Evidence of time passing is, too. These aren’t the songs of kids barely out of high school any more. These songs bind the past to the present: the music may have evolved, but the heart and guts that make a LuxDeluxe record what it is shine through.