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Arts & Entertainment

Viper Room Show a Dream Come True for St. Cello's Fall Singer

Celo Troilo tells Patch what playing the Weho venue means to him and why the band consistently draws large crowds.

With the soulful voice of lead singer Celo Troilo backed by a band of Hollywood’s top musicians, St. Cello’s Fall produces a high-energy rock show that captivates even the mellowest of audiences.

The four-piece band has been packing venues across Southern California, with a stop last weekend at West Hollywood’s Viper Room.

Patch caught up with Troilo, who said performing his first show at the Viper Room was a dream come true. Troilo explains how reflecting on past mistakes, as well as his quest to be a good father, inspire him to write honest songs. He also talks about the band’s influences and reveals his secret to drawing large crowds to his shows.

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West Hollywood Patch: This was your first show at the Viper Room, something you've been looking forward to for a long time now. How was the experience?

Celo Troilo: Amazing is not enough of a word; this was a dream of mine and on my bucket list.

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Patch: You've been known to pack whatever venue you play at. What's your secret to drawing such a large crowd?

Troilo: Persistence to a degree, but I like to think I’m good to just about everyone I know and I treat everyone I know with respect. Therefore I believe they return it with support by coming to my shows.

Patch: At the show, you guys did a cover of "Rush." Is Depeche Mode an influence of yours?

Troilo: Depeche Mode is absolutely an influence of mine. I used to listen to them as a kid. It's also a favorite of Dennis and Andrew. 

Patch: What's your favorite part about performing live?

Troilo: It's an adrenaline rush to be on stage with all eyes on me, knowing at that time I am sharing my passion for music while entertaining the crowd. 

Patch: How long have you been making music?

Troilo: About a decade now. I really never blossomed until I met Dennis Hamlin, my guitarist, in 2006.

Patch: How did the band all come together?

Troilo: I was on my own riding the coattails of my buddy Matt Lentz [singer of New Rising Son], and then I met Dennis Hamlin, my guitarist. We wrote lots of songs together before we added our band mates. We went through a handful of musicians before we finally got the right combination to work. The first was Greg Pajer who couldn’t be a more perfect fit for us. He then introduced us to Andrew James. We have had good bass players before him but he was the true professional. Then there is Jake Hayden, of whom we are blessed to have. We thought we would never find the right guy for the drummer job and then we did! 

Patch: Where do you find your inspiration for your songs?

Troilo: I have found my inspiration in my life, my daughter, addressing my wrongs as an adult, and my hopes in teachings with a positive outlook.

Patch: What's your favorite song to perform live?

Troilo: “Heaven” is my favorite song to perform. That songs brings out my true emotions.

Patch: For those that haven’t seen you perform, what can people expect from a St. Cello's Fall show?

Troilo: You can always expect a high-energy performance, which allows the fans to have an amazing time.

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