Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Connor Parente

Mike Palm TribLive Mon, Jan 5, 2026 • 09:00 AM

Connor Parente’s “Hieroglyphics” album will be released on Jan. 9, 2026. (Connor Parente)

For Connor Parente’s debut album, the wide variety of his influences are expressed somewhere throughout the record.

“So no matter what you’re into, whether it be folk, guitar-rock, pop, indie, soul (just to name a few,) I think you’ll find something to like here,” Parente said.

The new album, “Hieroglyphics,” will be released on Jan. 9, with its latest single shares its name with the album.

“The newest and final single ‘Hieroglyphics’ is the title track for the record and was actually written really just to be that. I had the idea that it should be the title of the album and sort of wrote backwards with the title, then the chorus and built the song around that, which is a very unusual way of writing for me,” he said. “The song is basically a rumination on the greatness and mystical energy that lives in the music and culture of the ‘60s and ‘70s that (at least to me) is so powerful and inspiring and that sentiment is carried across the whole record with the way it sounds and the way I’ve come to make my lyrics and songs.”

Parente, who turned 18 in April, had an early career highlight about a year ago.

“I got to play at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., in January at the Light of Day festival right after Bruce Springsteen played a surprise set with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers at the very same festival,” he said. “That was the most surreal and amazing moment of my career so far.”

Parente will play an album release show on Jan. 9 at the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls.

”I just love interacting with the band and having the songs be alive in that moment with no definitive way for it to go,” he said. “And having the audience in on that experience too is just the greatest thing.”

Parente filled in TribLive on what else we should know about his music:

Musician: Connor Parente

Band members: The live band switches out, but for the upcoming release party it consists of Connor Parente (lead vocals, rhythm guitar); Derrick Beattie (lead guitar, pedal steel); Steve Binsberger (keyboard, organ); Jack Breiding (drums); Jesse Prentiss (bass); and Marc Reisman (harmonica). The record includes other musicians such as Bob Banerjee, Bill Toms, the Soulville Horns, Dwayne Dolphin, Danny Gochnour, John DeCola, Melinda Colaizzi and Rick Witkowski.

Founding story: I’ve been singing ever since I was a little kid. I did many local theatre productions from ages 7 to 16. I started playing guitar during covid as a way to pass the time, and with that came the songwriting as well as a deep dive into musical history that I doubt will ever cease. Then, when I was 15 years old, local musician Wil Kondrich invited me up onstage and I sang an original song to a crowd for the first time. Since then I’ve been playing local gigs and started recording my music and it’s led to many amazing things.

For fans of: Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Ray LaMontagne

Influences: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young

Releases: “GoingElectric” single,2024;“Martyrdom”single, 2024;“MyLove&MyRock‘nRoll”single,2024;“Hieroglyphics”single,2026;“Hieroglyphics”album,2026

Next show: “Hieroglyphics” album release party, Jan. 9 at the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls

How to find him: He can be found at his website, Instagram and TikTok.

Three other Pittsburgh area bands to check out:Posterchild, Tom Breiding & Union Railroad, and I think more young people in this city have to look back at Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers

Favorite pizza shop: I work at Mineo’s in Squirrel Hill, so … I’d have to say there.

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Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Connor Parente

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