Writer: Amy Modesti
Photo: Frankie Cavone
During band rehearsal, Cait Tizzone, Billy Buono, and Mike Ilyadis of Lucid Street were attempting to watch a video from the group’s prior show at Ilyadis’ home. Ilyadis, who was having issues AirPlaying the video to his television said, “Alright, potential redemption, let’s try this one last time.”
The phrase, ‘potential redemption’, struck like a bolt of lightning to Buono and Tizzone. They knew they had a song on their hands to compose right then and there on a piano.
Buono, Ilyadis, and Tizzone spent several days writing “Potential Redemption”, and all its members composed and arranged the music. It took several months for the band to master and record the song alongside Nick Relation Recording.
“Potential Redemption” was released nationwide, digitally, Saturday, Nov. 2. To commemorate the milestone, the band held a release party and listening party for the single at Lost & Found in Albany.
Lucid Street is also accepting pre-orders for a vinyl copy of the single. The vinyl single will even feature a live version of an unreleased song yet to be released. Music listeners who wish to purchase a physical copy of the track can pre-order on Lucid Street’s website, www.lucidstreetband.com.
What is the track’s meaning?
“Potential Redemption”, according to Tizzone, represents a person in an individual’s life who annoys them the most, but that the individual loves more than anything else. For the singer, her cat, Boo, is the one constant thing that she loves, but also drives her crazy, especially in times when Boo will knock over her television.
“The song is written about a cat,” Tizzone explains. “The line, ‘But when you’re in my place you knock over my tv’, it makes a lot of sense.”
Some people have also told Tizzone that the track was a love song about toil in a relationship, but that was not where Tizzone wrote the song from. However, she encourages people to interpret the lyrics in whatever way makes the song mean the most to them.
“Potential Redemption” and a debut album
“Potential Redemption” is Lucid Street’s first single released from their debut album, due to be released in early 2025. Tizzone calls releasing her track her “first footprint into the world of original music.”
“At the end of the day, you just hope you chose the right one to serve as your introduction to the world.” Tizzone said.
Who is Lucid Street?
Lucid Street is a five-piece band hailing from the Albany, NY area. In addition to Buono (keys), Ilyadis (drums), and Tizzone (vocals, violinist), the band features Nolan Hassler (guitar) and Phil Manitta (bass). The band performs both original songs and cover songs.
Originating in 2021 and finding its ideal lineup at the beginning of 2023, the group has opened for national act, Vixen at the Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, and has opened for Cry Baby, Crazy Train, and local act, Ill Funk Ensemble at this year’s Dad’s Fest held at Washington Park. Lucid Street was also nominated for Cover Band of the Year at the 2024 Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards.
Lucid Street will be taking part in the Mirth Films event, “It’s A Gala” party, with additional music from Glass Pony at Lark Hall on Dec. 14, and coming up on Nov. 8, the band will perform an acoustic set of music at the “Femininomenon” party at Lost & Found, opposite Sydney Worthley. The upcoming event will be put on by No One You Know Presents.
No One You Know Presents reached out to Tizzone on Instagram about taking part in the event. Tizzone says that she and her band will be performing more than just Sabrina Carpenter on the Lost & Found stage.
In fact, Tizzone is a huge fan of Sabrina Carpenter. She recently watched Carpenter perform in Brooklyn and was blown away by her performance. Tizzone is impressed by Carpenter’s risks that she takes into her approach to every side of her music, from the vocals, composition, and lyrics.
Tizzone is also excited and thankful to Mirth Films founder, Frankie Cavone, for reaching out to the band about taking part in the December show since the band has been wanting to perform at Lark Hall for some time. She said that the band is “super excited” to share the bill with Glass Pony.
Cavone shared a personal reasoning behind getting Lucid Street to perform at Lark Hall.
“I was completely blown away the first time I heard Lucid Street perform.” Cavone said. “I was exposed to them at Dad Fest in Albany, NY and hearing them perform something as technical as Iron Maiden’s “Aces High” was impressive to say the least. But then I realized they actually write tunes as well.”
What also got Cavone sold to booking Lucid Street for the gig was hearing their original tune, “The Dragons Keep” on the band’s YouTube channel. The song, to Cavone, had vibes reminiscent of the band, Heart. To see a local band as Lucid Street write a song as that one, impressed Cavone.
As for also booking Glass Pony for “It’s A Gala”, Glass Pony is one of Cavone’s favorite bands of all time. Not only are the band members Cavone’s great friends, he constantly listens to their music and loves their albums that they’ve made.
“When I first heard of them, it was so refreshing to hear more of a rock and roll sound in the jam band scene and for that reason, I will be a lifelong fan.” Cavone said.
Tizzone added that she and her band have seen Glass Pony’s name around quite a bit and that it will be great for Lucid Street to play alongside another great, local act.
“It’s A Gala” is a formal party, Cavone said, and attendees are encouraged to dress up. Food will also be included in the ticket price for the event, $20. Cavone encourages attendees to come out and support Mirth Films and all things local.
The Future of Lucid Street
In addition to their two shows, Lucid Street will premiere their debut album in early 2025, and in March 2025, will also be opening for Marillion in Montreal, Quebec (Canada).
To learn more about Lucid Street and purchase merchandise/music, go to the band’s website by clicking here. To keep up with the band’s gig schedule, head to the Lucid Street LinkInBio site posted on the Lucid Street Facebook page.
For all Lucid Street links, head to the band’s instabio right here .
