In Conversation With Billy Rogan: Loom at The Front

Last Wednesday, June 5, Loom dazzled audiences at The Front as the opening of their summer concert series. These guys are definitely bringing funk back to the stage with style as they played through complex, improvisational pieces. The band began their set with a big, “Awhhhhhh yeah” and it was needless to say, the theme throughout the rest of the night. This was my first time seeing Loom in concert and what an honor it was to be there. I was truly taken aback at the raw talent and consistency they expressed on stage.

About The Band

While at the event, I had the opportunity to chat with Billy Rogan, the guitarist and front man of the band. Having been playing professionally himself for 20+ years, it was not a surprise as to the amount of dexterity he had. Rogan had been playing music and living in New York when he met Carlos Bible (drummer) at a Phish concert, which was where the band initially began. Having kept contact between each other, Bible reached out to Rogan about getting a band together in Salt Lake. “I kind of needed the camaraderie of other people” Rogan stated which is the push that got him out here to begin playing with the band.

“We hit the ground running and stuff kind of picked up…I was very much in need of doing the stuff we’re doing, it’s such a release.” Only beginning just eight months ago, the band really has pulled through. Along with Rogan and Bible, Vince Dimichle is on bass and Tyler Troy on keys. With influences from their differing age groups- being between 30 and 52- Loom takes from all sides of music from jazz, rock, country, funk, creating experimental compositions that are ever-changing. “You can compare it to jazz, we’re not playing jazz, but the approach of taking something and walking off the cliff with it…we don’t know what’s going to happen and we want it to be different. We want to have a good time for ourselves when we’re up there.”

“I think it's vastly important to make something special for people because they want it. The human experience craves that.” 

At The Concert

The concert tonight was definitely a success as it grasped my, and other members’ attention right from the beginning. Being a fan of the movement of music as the transitions flow, Loom never failed to keep me on my toes. At the end of the first half I recall Bible coming up to me and saying that I was “locked in” which is true. I was fascinated. Among their own works the band’s set featured songs like “Dirty Work” by Steely Dan and “Freedom!” by George Michael. Being fan favorites, these definitely got the audience up on their feet and dancing.

Due to the fact they take from so many different genres, I was getting a sense of how to describe the band’s style: Cowboy funk. There was so much twang and rock ‘n roll in their sound, but also jazz-like undertones that were creeping into my bones in all the best ways. As a first-timer, I would say I am definitely a big Loom fan, and you will see me in the crowds at their next performance.

Where They’ve Been, Where They’re Going

Leading up to this show, the band had the opportunity to open for bands Talk and Polyrhythmics at The CommonWealth Room where they got noticed quickly by the community. This interest led the band to playing a headline show at The State Room on May 10 as a KBP after party. “Your intention sets all of that.”

Some shows to look out for this summer include a fundraiser concert for Save Our Canyons at Urban Lounge on June 20. Another is the Blues & Brews concert series at snowbasin on June 23. 

“Our focus is to get some recording done and then hit the road. We really want to get out there and play for people that are into what we’re doing.”

If you want to catch more from Loom, you can find them on Instagram, YouTube and their website here!

@loomtunes - Instagram

@loomtunes - YouTube

loomtunes.com - Website