How exactly does a solo project become a seven piece band, you ask? Well, when singer/songwriter Chris Paterno was asked by his hometown tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms, to play a pre-match block party, he knew he was going to need a full-bodied sound to reach thousands of riled up fans. So he recruited six talented pals: singer and guitar player Connor McElwee, their old high school English professor, drummer Doug Parsons, trumpet player Mike Clark, mandolin player Adam Monaco, bassist Nate Sims and trombonist Frank Rein. After the electric chemistry of that fateful afternoon, a band was born… even if it was just a little bit larger than Paterno had originally intended. Soon the group was signed BlacBird Productions, the label of Grammy winner Joe Nicolo, and at work on their self-titled debut EP, which is slated for release this August.

Today, Elmore is premiering “Morning Light,” a track from the group’s upcoming release. The song leads with the gentle strum of acoustic guitar, overlaid with a funky blast of horns that weave in and out flirtatiously throughout the song. Paterno has an expressive, well-worn rasp, similar to that of Marcus Mumford, that sells the sexy, soulful message of the track. “Nothing but love between these sheets,” he croons above a swirl of instrumentation from his multi-faceted, band, drums, horns and guitar playing off each other to mimic the frenzied passion of one last stolen kiss. “”Morning Light” is about the last moments with somebody special and it’s the raw, heart-felt love song off our debut,” the guys told Elmore. “The track embodies our softer side, while maintaining the basic elements that make up our sound – a percussive guitar, a grooving bass line, and some great horn arrangements.”

Fitting the theme of the song, the Chris Paterno Band wants to hear YOUR stories…

“We’d love to hear your stories about the last moments with your special somebody, share ’em with us here: facebook.com/chrispaternomusic“

Get involved on Facebook, listen to “Morning Light” below, and catch the guys on tour around Pennsylvania.

7/7 – MilkBoy – Philadelphia, PA
7/21 – Bourbon and Branch – Philadelphia, PA
7/22 & 8/6 – Aegir Fitness Festival – TBD
8/10 & 8/11 – Philadelphia Freedoms Bloc Party – Villanova, PA
8/24 Silk City – Philadelphia, PA
9/30 Burlap and Bean – Newtown Square, PA