The band will bring their signature blend of gospel, folk, blues, and rock to City Winery Boston on January 26, Iron Horse in Northampton, MA on January 28, Infinity Hall in Hartford, CT on January 29, and The Narrows in Fall River, MA on January 30.

Roots music collective Ollabelle is hitting the road to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album with a special northeast tour. The band will bring their signature blend of gospel, folk, blues, and rock to City Winery Boston on January 26, Iron Horse in Northampton, MA on January 28, Infinity Hall in Hartford, CT on January 29, and The Narrows in Fall River, MA on January 30.

Comprised of Byron Isaacs, Fiona McBain, Glenn Patscha, Amy Helm, and Tony Leone, Ollabelle's music has always been about finding common ground through song. As McBain reminisced, "It’s hard to believe Ollabelle’s been around for over 20 years! When Ollabelle started back in 2001 at 9C Bar in NYC’s East Village, we were trying to find common ground through song. I’m from Australia, Glenn’s from Canada, Amy, Tony, and Byron are American, but we somehow still found songs to sing and play together, regardless of our different backgrounds and musical beginnings. And I think anytime musicians learn songs from the past, teach them to each other, interpret and sing them live, we share not only the history of the music, but our own stories too."

Reflecting on the band’s origins, Amy Helm shared via email, "It was the wake of 9-11, and the heart and soul of NYC was still shocked and grieving. People wanted to be soothed, and lifted up, so when a bartender on the Lower East Side asked us to start a jam session ‘Sunday School for Sinners,’ there was nothing self-conscious about it. We were simply trying to find songs to sing that might make it easier for people to bear the weight of that time. There was no religious message, no philosophy or belief system we were trying to preach. It was just a lot of shaken people who needed to come together and laugh and sing along."

Each member of Ollabelle grew up immersed in music, whether it was through family bands, listening to AM radio, or discovering jazz, folk, country, and rock. Glenn Patscha reflected on his musical journey, "I always knew I was going to be involved with music from the time I was a child. The music industry is a galaxy all on its own, and the biggest challenge was trying to figure out what part of music I was going to be a part of."

Byron Isaacs fondly recalled his early days in music, "I was the youngest of four, and I was part of my family troupe that would go around performing in libraries all around Houston. Singing in the car with my siblings and my mom, putting together multiple-part harmonies, was a big part of my upbringing."

The formation of Ollabelle was almost accidental, born from the desire to collaborate and explore new musical directions. "We were all mostly new to New York City, looking for a different avenue of expression," Glenn shared. The band came together organically, performing weekly at 9C in the East Village for tips, drinks, and the joy of making music. "We were created in the shadows of 9/11, coming together for respite from the stresses of the world around us at that time," he added.

Despite the challenges of time and distance, with members now spread across the U.S. and Canada, Ollabelle's connection remains strong. The 20th anniversary of Ollabelle’s first album felt like the perfect moment to reunite. "We were friends before starting the band, and we all genuinely liked each other and became a family, which in turn became a true family band," Byron said. "We watched each other grow, with each other's families. We are each musically different, and when we get together, there is no end to where Ollabelle can go. When we play together, we come away with things we could never have accomplished on our own."

This tour promises an emotional and uplifting journey through Ollabelle’s catalog, blending beloved classics with fresh interpretations. Fans can expect a powerful celebration of music, friendship, and resilience—a true testament to the band's enduring legacy.

Fans can expect an emotional and uplifting journey through Ollabelle's catalog during these anniversary shows, with the band revisiting classics from their debut album and possibly unveiling new material. This tour is not only a celebration of their music but also a powerful celebration of music, friendship, and resilience—a true testament to the band's enduring legacy.