Thanks for Asking: Jess and Brendan from All Night Boogie Band

Photo credit: All Night Boogie Band at Foam Brewers, July 3, 2026. Photo by Luke Awtry

RRX: What are each of your favorite songs from your most recent album?

Brendan Casey (guitar): I really can’t decide. I’d say I love “Keep on Rolling” for its message, and I think that’s what rock & roll is “supposed” to sound like – but I also love “Stuck In The City (You’re Not Alone),” it’s such an emotional song. It gives me a “floating” feeling that is hard to describe, and I think it’s a song we all have our “voices” on. You can hear everyone shine loud and clear.”

Jess Leone (vocals): “I could give you a reason why every song is my favorite, but if I had to choose one, it’d be “If You’re Blue and Lonesome.” I wrote the lyrics for someone I love very much who has struggled with their mental health throughout their life and was at a low point when we wrote it. We’ve been by each other’s sides for the worst times, best times, and all the times in between, so when I sing “if you’re all alone, well I’ll be there,” I truly mean it. This song is for anyone who needs the reminder that no matter how alone you may feel, there’s always someone that cares for you, even if you can’t see it. Some nights I even sing it to myself, as cheesy as it sounds!”

RRX: If you had to give me two bands that meet each other in your sound, what are those bands? More than two bands?

BC: This has to be the hardest question – it has to be more than two bands! A couple inspirations that definitely come to mind on this record are Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Slim Harpo, Bobby “Blue” Bland … I could go on forever.

JL: It’s so hard to just choose two bands because they’ll never capture everything our band encompasses, but the Rolling Stones meets Tedeschi Trucks Band is what comes to mind right now. We have the powerful lead vocalist (Mick & Susan), ripping lead guitar (Keith & Derek), electric keys, driving bass and drums, and a punching horn section. Musically, we have the high energy of the Stones and the soulful touch of TTB. But there are so many other bands we’re inspired by that you can hear in our music.

RRX: Do you feel better when you sing about the better times, or the worse times? Is there a difference you can describe?

BC: When I play music, I always feel better after. When I lived in Vermont, I’d pop over to a club on Saturday afternoons to play blues music with some very wise “old-heads”, and I always felt like I’d just gone to a therapy session when we finished. There’s something totally healthy about getting into a creative flow state on stage. It’s some sort of emotional channel to cope through.

JL: I wouldn’t say I feel better or worse, but the feeling is definitely different. Our good times songs are driven by the energy of the crowd and feeling of togetherness, while our “F the system” songs are driven by rage and yearning for a better world. But both feelings are rooted in community in a way, which is what music is all about. Creating a space for people to come together and share a powerful and emotional experience.

RRX: Tell me about your most recent song, album, or video (you pick). Tell me a story about what went into making it. Not a process, but a cool story that took place within the process.

BC: Specifically, I think our live cover of “Shake Your Hips” by Slim Harpo on the new album is special. It was recorded during our last residency at Nectar’s, a legendary club in Burlington that closed the next month. It was like home to us, and that track on the album sounds exactly like what that room sounded like – it takes me back every time I listen.

JL: We recorded the music video for “I Think They Called It Peace” the day before the first NYC blizzard in January 2026. The windchill was -24 degrees, and we were out on the Williamsburg Bridge filming full takes of the seven minute song. Brendan had a guitar in his hands with metal strings, and by the third take he lost all feeling in his hands. We were supposed to have more bridge shots… But all in all, the weather added to the grit and rawness of the song. Shout out to Maxwell Dezell, the director for the music video, who I went to elementary school with!

RRX: What would you like fans to know before they come see you play?

BC: We reaaaally like it when you dance. And we also reaaallllly like it when you listen attentively. Also come talk to us when we’re done! It really is so grounding to talk to and hang out with fans after playing a show.

JL: We dance. And when I say dance, I mean DANCE. Wear your heels if you’re brave. But expect your feet to hurt in the best way by the end of the night. We really throw a party.

RRX: Please tell us a story about some comic inconvenience that happened to you whilst performing.

BC: In 2023, we were in Memphis competing for the International Blues Challenge. We had really short sets during the competition – like 20 minutes/30 minutes – so one set I decided not to wrap my guitar cable through my strap in order to save time switching guitars (in different tunings) between songs. Sure enough – last song, my turn to solo, took a step forward, stepped on the cable, and it popped out of the guitar. I didn’t realize until I noticed no noise was coming out … scrambled to put it back in and finished the solo. Safe to say I learned my lesson.

JL: Bangle Lady… She had big, thick metal bangles all the way up both of her arms. Like literally 20 bangles on each arm and was banging her arms together “playing” the bangles like a percussion instrument. Next to the stage, facing the crowd. For every song and every set of this festival. She even played through breaks. Honestly, it was kind of cool at first, and I respect her wanting to be a part of creating the music, but it’s hard as the band, especially when she wasn’t on the beat …