Far Trio it’s not a band to rush into a moment. Over the past decade, the Buffalo base trio has built their reputation on live shows that balance raw energy with soulful restraint, inviting the audience to slow down and sink into the groove. The new single, “Here and Now” releasing September 10th, captures the same spirit in recorded form. It’s a track that feels both intimate and expansive.
The members of Far consist of Eamon Rayhn on vocals and bass, Drew Azzinaro on vocals and guitar, and Ethan Fox on drums. They first cross paths at SUNY Fredonia for launching into a career that is taken down across the northeast. They played more than 150 shows from Buffalo to New York City, the Finger Lakes to Hudson Valley, each show earning a reputation for their eclectic and soul drenched performance. Together the band has released two albums, FAR Trio Volume 1 (2019) and Ordinary Moments (2022), recorded in Woodstock with renowned producer Scott Petito. All of that experience, both on stage and in the studio, shows up in “Here and Now.”
The song opens with a groove that immediately draws the listener in, setting the stage for a journey about to unfold. The bright and open toned guitar steps forward, laying down a funky jam before Azzinaro’s raspy yet expressive voice enters. His delivery feels conversational, “Where do you have to go now / that is so much better than here? / Listen to the vibrations / yes it all becomes clear.” The performance carries a sense of intimacy, as if reaching out to draw others closer, inviting them to experience the way music can ground you in the present and remind you of the power of simply being in the moment.
Instrumentally, the band shows a rare kind of chemistry, clear in the way they jam together. Fox’s drumming doesn’t overpower but instead flows like a current, carrying the song forward while leaving room for Azzinaro’s guitar to rise up. Rayhn’s bass adds another layer, strumming alongside with a steady groove that locks everything in place. The dynamic between verses is especially striking; instead of rushing to the next lyric, the instruments breathe, filling the spaces with rich jams. These moments embody the idea of being present, giving the listener permission to linger and enjoy the ride.
The lyrics push this idea further by addressing modern distractions head-on. “Don’t even peek at your phones, I want you here mind, soul, flesh and bones,” Rayhn sings, delivering one of the song’s catchiest lines. The way it’s sung flows naturally, almost demanding you move with it. In a world consumed by endless scrolling and divided attention, even among close connections, the lyric feels especially relevant. Yet the band frames it not as a scolding, but as an invitation: a chance to be present, to share the unfiltered moments that music creates. By the time the chorus arrives with “You, me, and this music together / it makes us feel light as a feather now,” the song offers resolution, the blend of lyrics and melody lifting the listener into a space of genuine connection.
By the song’s end, Far leans fully into the jam, and the groove becomes downright infectious. As someone who lives for jams, I can’t help but want to hit replay and let it play one more time. “Here and Now” stands out because the band marries form and meaning, the message behind it is just as beautiful as the sound itself. For me, it speaks to the connections music creates. As someone who loves music, there’s nothing better than sharing it with others and feeling that energy come back around. It’s a reminder that music can bring peace, joy, and a sense of togetherness.
Far has crafted more than just a single, they’ve given us a small practice in mindfulness, wrapped in groove and soul. The track reflects where the band has been, years of live shows, countless hours of playing together, and points to where they’re headed: toward deeper, more intentional expressions of music. True to its name, the song insists that the present is enough, and Far Trio makes that message not only convincing but irresistible.
