About Us

Welcome to Acoustic Long Island!
We hope you enjoy the intimate, entertaining local event (if you’re lucky enough to live near St. James, Long Island), and the high-quality recordings of these events here on the podcast.

We started the podcast (that’s us, Dave and Rob Dircks), with the idea that great local acoustic music can serve the local community and the global online community – both looking for new, original, and free music to enjoy. So we’ve created a unique double venue:

1. An intimate live venue, in a captivating 19th century mansion living room - for all the talented local open micers and the top recording artists that call Long Island their home. The weekly show fosters up-and-coming talent and seasoned veterans alike, giving them an opportunity to share their visions with a receptive audience at the historic Deepwells Mansion. Each Wednesday night starts with a lively open mic, followed by a featured performer. Performers as local as down the block and as far away as Los Angeles and San Diego have performed, includi Martha Trachtenberg, Little Toby Walker, John Flor, Charlotte Kendrick, Andy Mac, Akiva, The Zoo Human Project, Lee Coulter, Dan Stevens, and a host of others. Directions to the live event at Deepwells Mansion (click for map): Take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 56N (Route 111) to Smithtown crossing over Middle Country Road. Route 111 becomes Rt. 25A. Continue straight to St. James. Deepwells is on the left, just before the Moriches Road intersection. FREE ADMISSION!

2. A podcast available online – The live performances are recorded and shared with the larger online community in the form of a podcast – allowing listeners from around the globe to download the music, subscribe and listen each week. It’s become the #1 acoustic podcast on iTunes, and in the top 100 most popular music podcasts overall. We’ve got over 250,000 music downloads, and visitors from as far as Australia and Thailand. In 2007 we began weekly video podcasts, which also instantly ranked in the top 100 music podcasts. FREE DOWNLOADS!

The Crew
Each Wednesday, Dave, Rob, and super-sound man Billy Alexander put on the show. Scott Posner helps out with any support we need on sound or logistics, and of course the one-and-only Martha Trachtenberg provides our weekly dose of perfection in music. From there, Dave takes over mastering duties, and Rob uploads and maintains the podcast and website. By then it’s time for another Wednesday night!

Online Reviews for Acoustic Long Island
“Keep the tunes coming!!!! – Every week I wait for the new podcasts. What a great venue for local talent. The music is just that… music. So powerful and raw, it has rekindled a flame I thought extinguished. Thank you, Dave and Rob for all the time you put in to this outstanding stage for up-and-coming musicians.” – Dave W. Youngstown, OH

“This is my absolute favorite podcast… – No joke. Been loving the podcasts. Especially last week’s Dan Conklin… Great sound. Great lyrics!!! Can’t wait to tune in again. Lots of variety, lots of talent on Long Island. keep it up Acoustic Long Island!”

“Have a Great Time From Home – These guys put together a great show. You can almost smell the coffee brewing, you feel so close to the performers. A great selection of acts, a very personable host, and I can’t believe they put these out every week. Thanks for all your hard work – and keep it coming!!!”