NoVa Band Turtle Recall Has Reston Roots

Northern Virginia band Turtle Recall has deep roots in Reston.

Four of the six band members are graduates of Their career paths have taken them in different directions, but they still play music together at various area shows.

Lead singer and songwriter John-Currie Hester (SLHS 2002) says he has been playing music on and off since his South Lakes days. He started out as a music major in college, then decided to go a more sensible path and study business.

He still holds a government job by day, but at night he plays places such as Vienna's , Reston's and Madam's Organ in Washington, D.C.

"I studied music in college, but decided it was more of a hobby," said Hester. "But I missed it. My New Year's resolution in 2009 was to come back to music."

Hester organized some fellow musicians—including guitar player/drummer Guido DeHoratiis (SLHS '02); singer/songwriter 
Erin Girardi (SLHS '03); violinist/banjo player Matt Kupferman (SLHS '02)  
and bass player, guitar player Alex Penney (Oakton '04)—and Turtle Recall was formed. New to the band is local drummer Mike Dalianis.

"We didnt know if we were going to be horrible," said Hester. "But it ended up being amazingly fun."

The band plays rock/pop covers and is branching out with original songs. Hester said the group received new energy when he reconnected in 2010 with Girardi, with whom he sang in the chorus and did theatre productions at South Lakes.

The band is working on an album of original songs. Turtle Recall also has two local performances this week Thursday at the Mad Rose Tavern in Clarendon, and Friday at the Blue Banana Sports Bar in D.C. Both showtimes are 9 p.m.

For more info on the band and to see upcoming show dates, like them on Facebook or visit their website.