Stop by the Clear River Tavern in Pittsfield this Friday, April 18, at 8 p.m. to catch Nate Martel and his four-piece psychedelic rock band Outer Stylie. If you can get there early, Space Mooves & The Cosmic Cows kick off the evening at 6 p.m.
Outer Stylie started in 2008 at UMass Amherst. Joining Martel (guitar/vocals) are Monte Arnstam (drums), John Duffy (drums), and Chris Ball (bass). They just released a single, “The Source,” available on every streaming service and YouTube. Outer Stylie has released three albums, but only one is streaming online, their 2016 release, “Puzzles.”
For those attending Friday’s show, Martel set the expectations of the band’s collection of psych-rock originals, where the vibe hands at the intersection of 1970s and 1990s boulevards with a right turn onto Presentville.
“It’s like if Black Sabbath meets Soundgarden meets Queens of the Stone Age. It’s heavy, not jammy,” said Martel. “We bridge the gap between heavy rock and jam rock.”
Although Outer Stylie’s home base is western Massachusetts, where they are annual staples at the Wormtown event and will be playing at this year’s StrangeCreek Campout Memorial Day weekend, Martel also does a solo show. He recently played at the Public House in Quechee.
“It was cool; it’s a fun little spot. It was snowing so it made the ride home a little difficult. It’s always snowing when I’m up there,” said Martel.
In addition to his solo shows and work with Outer Stylie, Martel also plays in a funk/soul/rock organ trio called Beast Mode, which will perform at Marigold in Brattleboro on May 8.
Juggling three different jobs is no sweat for Martel. Music is his full-time job, and all of his life experiences go into his songwriting.
“It’s great to be doing something I love, most days of the week,” Martel said of his passion, which he’s been doing professionally since he was 16. “Music really connects everyone who listens to it. That connectivity is the purest art form to me. It’s great to be able to express myself doing that, doing what I love, and other people enjoy it too.”
