While many Penn-Trafford students may enjoy singing along to their favorite songs, local band The Caregivers offer their own original content. 

     “Miss Valentina and I are gonna make it through/ and we don’t need any help from you,” the lead singer of The Caregivers, P-T freshman Kate Malley, sings on “Valentina.”

  The Caregivers consists of three Penn-Trafford freshmen: Cilia Catello, Malley and Allison Staymates.  Also, there is a junior from Plum School District: Nico Kinek.

     Bassist Catello and Malley formed the band during their seventh-grade year. 

     “[Catello] and I just sort of decided that we wanted to start a band. We both really liked music, and she was really good at guitar, and so we started it up,” Malley stated. 

     Staymates has been the newest addition to the group, joining in October 2019. 

     The band said they have had a lot of fun playing together, and Malley attributes that to the rapport within the group. 

     “We all work really well within the group, which is something we haven’t had before… We’ve had one concert so far, at Mr. Smalls Theater [in Pittsburgh] on Jan. 10, and that was a super cool atmosphere and a really fun experience.”

      Catello attributes the band’s name to her father. 

    “We were listening to music in the car [and a song was playing] and he jokingly said ‘These guys have feelings. What are they again, The Caregivers?’ I liked that name a lot.”

     While The Caregivers have had positive experiences, they have faced some challenges that they have had to overcome.

     Catello commented, “We were sitting on two or so songs for a while before our bassist left. Kate picked up the bass but it just wasn’t a good match. Then our drummer left as well and that was a total wake up call. We got our stuff together and became really committed. It’s hard finding people, especially in high school, who are as passionate as you are, but we totally did it.”

     Another issue for any up-and-coming band is the funding. 

       “Our only issue right now is money. We have so much material to record but in true midwestern fashion, we don’t have the funds. Our practice equipment also sounds like its been through the garbage disposal. It’s okay though, we’re very happy where we are right now but as always, would like to continue getting better,” Catello added. 

     Fans of The Caregivers and those interested in checking them out have several outlets to listen to their music.

       The Caregivers post frequently on their  Instagram: @thecaregivers. They also post demos of theirs songs on their YouTube channel, which is under the username “The Caregivers.” 

    The band has completed one album that they have yet to record, title pending. They are currently working on an album about their teenage years.

      In addition to this, the band won the WYEP Reimagination contest, which allows them to work closely with Jenn Wertz, a local producer and former member of Rusted Root, who will be helping them to record one of their original songs.

     The band has narrowed their choices to “Valentina,” “Senior Boyfriend,” or “Candy Canes.” Their long term goals consist of playing more shows and gaining more experience. 

      Fans can expect more gigs, and they can look forward to the produced version of one of their songs. 

 

Mark Harris, Staff Writer