On Loveseat Pete
Picture a sunny day sitting in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow: the sky is blue and the green grass is speckled with multi-color blankets and lawn chairs which house college students, Trader Joe’s picnics, and other things I can’t mention in a school sanctioned article. What’s missing from this scenario? The perfect indie playlist! Here’s where I get to put you onto my newest musical obsession, Loveseat Pete. You may not have heard of them yet, but it won’t be long before TikTok commenters will be claiming to have known about them before they were big.
Loveseat Pete is an Asbury Park, New Jersey-based indie band. The band is composed of Vinny Nigro on guitar and vocals, Jason Wenzel on bass, Danny Mitchinson on guitar, Matt Keenan on drums, and often features honorary member, Maggie Evans, on acoustic and aux percussion. Vinny, Jason, and Matt had previously played together, performing covers around New Jersey, but the 2020 pandemic provided a unique opportunity for them to reset and solidify what they wanted the band to sound and feel like. They released their first single “Pajama Sam” in 2020.
Their sound is reminiscent of contemporary bands like Wallows and Beach Fossils, who they credit as inspiration, blended with elements of ‘90s garage rock bands like Sonic Youth and The Smashing Pumpkins. I got the chance to talk with them about how they got their start, what they have planned for the future and why they hate a certain grocery store chain (as per an April 2024 tweet). After a round of bowling, I was able to chat with them before they gave an incredible performance at NYC’s Battle of the Bands at Brooklyn Bowl.
Upon telling my mother about my plan to interview the band, she had me repeat the name multiple times, prompting me to ask the band where the name came from. Vinny explained that while they were rebranding, they brainstormed new names and crafted “Loveseat Pete” which they “disliked the least.” He further explained that the inspiration came when they saw an old photo of a guy who they used to work with, called Pete Andrews. They got their first gig in August 2020, Danny joined the band in 2022, and the rest is history.
If being in a cool indie band wasn’t interesting enough, the members also have distinct careers and hobbies outside of Loveseat Pete. Vinny teaches music, Danny balances a corporate job with an intense Fortnite schedule, Jason plays semi-professional rugby, and amongst other ventures, Matt runs an awesome music publication called “Best Left Magazine” with his friend. Additionally, Maggie is currently a student at Montclair University. Outside of working and playing, the band loves to play video games, golf, and just “try to be normal,” as Vinny puts it.
Finally, as a fellow New Jerseyan, I had to get the scoop on why they claim to hate a certain grocery store that is near and dear to my heart. Rather than getting into the weeds of that, I’ll focus on their preferred alternatives, including Foodtown, Wegmans and Shop and Stop. So if you’re located in the tristate area and want to shop for groceries like an up and coming alternative band, take these considerations to heart.
While the band currently has only a handful of songs, they were excited about their next release and shared that their next single is already a unanimous favorite amongst them. Their new music will be out in the fall, so make sure you start listening to them now so you can brag that you knew about them while they were underground.