Sea Cliff-based band Dijon will take the stage on Bayville’s West Harbor Memorial Park on Friday, Aug. 8 as part of the weekly Music Under the Stars concert series, from 8 to 10 p.m. With their music careers on the rise, Dijon’s hard sound, good reputation, and passion to perform ensure that they will provide one of Bayville’s highest energy shows of the series.
Lead vocalist Chris Dijon, along with his brothers Max and Damian Ross on guitar and drums, respectively, plus bassist Simon Janusas and guitarist Carl Ferrara, have had a busy summer and are looking forward to playing a venue is that close to home, yet not too close.
“The problem with playing local is that you get stuck – we’re trying to get outside of the area,” says Dijon. “In Bayville, we’ll play for people we’ve never met before. I want people to hear our music and love it.”
Dijon says he and his brothers were “born with music.” His grandmother was a Blues singer and his father was a roadie. He describes his brother Max as a “musical prodigy” who can play multiple instruments.
Though they have been playing music pretty much their whole lives, the band formed about six years ago as a cover band. It naturally progressed into an original band as they began writing their own songs. Dijon explains that while the band as a whole does have input, he generally writes the lyrics and melody, then Max takes over and “brings it to life.”
“We started writing and got great feedback,” says Dijon.
Their style can be compared to U2 and Kings of Leon; Dijon says U2 is one of his favorite bands, and he does draw inspiration from their music.
“Everything inspires me, life, love, music,” says Dijon. “I’m always writing, singing or playing guitar. I can’t turn it off.”
Dijon, 44, is a graduate of North Shore High School and has lived in Sea Cliff since he was 4. He’s been a personal trainer for the past 22 years, a career path that he says, “enables me to be a musician.” With two sons (Chris, 12 and Jack, 8), he likes having the flexibility of setting his own work hours and being able to travel for gigs.
The band has played large venues like New York City’s Hard Rock Café and locally at Sea Cliff Beach, MiniMart and the Sea Cliff Firehouse for benefit concerts. They play about three to four shows a month, ranging from Brooklyn to Philadelphia to Massachusetts, and are planning a tour for next July after their debut album is released in April. Their newest single, “I Come Alive,” was produced by famed Dream Theater technician James Meslin, who is also producing the band’s next single at Cove City Studios in Glen Cove, owned by Richie Cannata. With their music careers on the rise, Dijon’s hard sound, good reputation, and passion to perform ensure that they will provide one of Bayville’s highest energy shows of the series.
Though all of their songs have been released independently so far, he says they are in the midst of talking to record labels.
Recently, Dijon played at the Cutting Room in New York City, a venue that hosts big name artists as well as independent musicians.
“I noticed the waitresses dancing toward the end of the show,” Dijon says. “One of them told me, ‘You’re the best band I’ve ever seen.’ That’s all I need to hear.”
In addition to Bayville, upcoming shows include the Trash Bar in NYC on Aug. 13, Tammany Hall on Sept. 13 and The Space in Westbury on Sept. 25. Their music can be heard on iTunes, Spotify and Reverbnation. Visit chrisdijon.com.
