Brian Dunne: The Bitter End 2025

As one quarter of Fantastic Cat, Brian Dunne has become a friend of FUV over the last few years; the station has enjoyed getting to know the Brooklyn singer and songwriter via that band's FUV Live session in 2022, their 2024 Marquee show at The Bitter End, and most recently, their joyful set at this year's High Line Bash with the English Beat and Jade Bird.

However, it was a blast to discover Dunne on his own solo merits when he returned to The Bitter End in August and delivered an ecstatic set for Marquee Members. The singer, songwriter and guitarist took that intimate concert opportunity to celebrate the release of his terrific fourth album, Clams Casino, and rocketed through a melodic and muscular eight-song set, buoyed by snappy, sing-along choruses and acerbic observations with a local twist.

Joined by bassist Matt Sucich (a frequent Kathleen Edwards collaborator too), drummer Bryan Bisordi and keyboardist Hess (with a mysterious mononym), Dunne included a batch of songs from Clams Casino, including the scathing sweetness of "Rockland County," the bad-dream blues of "Play the Hits," and the yearning, rocking reminiscences of the title track.

[Recorded: 8/5/25; Engineered by Jim O'Hara; produced by Meghan Suma and hosted by Paul Cavalconte. Videographers: Alena Godas, Olivia Iannaccone, Nikki Phillips, and Mia Vilke.]