RECAP: Lost Leaders @ the Falcon, 4/10/2025

Words by Ree Miller. Photo by Anne Lewer Geyer.

Can a band of singer-songwriters get the twisties?

Just when I think I have these jazz/americana/country/folky guys pegged, they go to California and come back with some twisties. Not like Simone Biles – well, unless they were feeling them in their fingers and hearing them in their heads – but twists and turns wrapped up in their standbys and new tunes.

Saw the core founding duo of Lost Leaders, Byron Isaacs and Peter Cole, at the Falcon on a school night last Thursday evening. Isaacs and Cole have been songwriting collaborators and have honed their vocals over several years.  Initially united by their love of jazz (and rumor has it, Metallica!), they’ve made a nice little brotherhood for themselves, pulling other talents into their orbit. Their lyrics describe the everyday world in pithy, world-wise elan, wrapped in rock/Americana sensibilities.

They were joined on drums by Konrad Meissner. Boy, he ripped the skins off those drums the other night and didn’t spare the rims when called for. It was as if he played with Isaacs and Cole every week! Loved seeing him trade grins with Isaacs and the solo joy he flashed as he tucked into his pocket or gave the harmonies a go.  

Now on to the show! I’ll give you some highlights, though there were 17 gems, and I could write about them all. 

Cole came out of the hole hot with “Jealous Sun,” tossing off harmonics and bending notes on his Gretsch. Isaacs and Meissner held down the bassline and let Cole have his shredding fun.  

Cole gave us a little twangier version of “Gone So Fast.” He incorporated some impromptu notes all over the fret, adding vocal improvisation and more guitar harmonics just ‘cause. Those of us who know the tune got the twisties. In a good way!

On “DPW,” Cole’s Covid concoction displayed his judicious use of his whammy bar and ability to render a soulful solo. Cole and Isaacs employed their human harmonies to great advantage. This one has a cool key change that never fails to thrill.

“Cherie La Rue,” the ode to the cruel mistress endured by every working band, and most definitely the one Isaacs has encountered in working his career as a member of multiple bands. Cole employed his finger picking talents, and all three artists worked a sweet fade out … taking us down that road … heading home or leaving again.

“Miracle Mile”: a classic in the Lost Leader canon. The message here is to have an escape plan – from NYS or wherever – even if you don’t use it.  Meissner used the pipes of his kit to keep time/mimic the clack of road noise one might imagine in their escape or hear as they run toward salvation.

Upon the exit of the drummer, Cole and Isaacs resurrected a song from their previous incarnation (Lowdowners), a tune called “Take Heart.” Isaacs and Cole turned this into a half-keyboard and guitar folk duo experience, invented for their sojourn in California. 

“Million Little People,” as Cole tells it, was inspired by Frank Zappa, who described people in NYC as living and working in tiny little boxes. It always reminds me of the view from our hotel room on a junket to City Winery, where, lo, the building across the way WAS stacked with a million little boxes.  

“Castaways” is a new song that was released in January. Meissner led off with a driving beat, and Cole and Isaacs had no problem catching up. I would call this tune in the genre “new wave Americana.”  (Yes, I coined that term, and you can quote me – with credit, of course -ha!)

“Daydrinking” is another pandemic-generated tune. It tells the woeful tale of a successful lottery winner. The poor guy has money, and all he can do is mope around in his robe, play the voyeur of his neighborhood, and drink all day.  He “doesn’t work, ‘cause he doesn’t want/have to.” I should be so full of woe.

“I’m Gonna Win” is a cool little two-step that had me dancing with my cat around the living room every time I queued it up. I have a soft spot for this encouraging tune of affirmation. Got me through a lot of challenging times.

I should have done a twistie count, but what fun is quantifying enjoyment? Suffice it to say that these guys keep their music and shows fresh, whether it’s a changeup in tempo, instruments, or personnel. Every show is not like the last. Can’t wait to see the next one.

*****

The Falcon was its usual groovy vibe in support of the artists, both sonic and visual. True to founder Tony Falco’s mission to Support Living Artists, there is no cover charge, but a donation box to collect the suggested $30 a person. No one counts the honor system trek to the boxes, but the contribution goes 100% to the talent. Food is primo, and the waitstaff are friendly and attentive. Go see for yourself.