Sneakin In At The Talkhouse Features Local Musicians

When local filmmaker Frank Vespe recalls his childhood in Queens, he remembers one thing very distinctly—sneaking in everywhere through the back door.

During a recent telephone interview, Mr. Vespe said that he and his childhood friends would often sneak in to local movie theatres and concerts to get free glimpses of movies and local music. That idea of sneaking in provided the inspiration for his new Hamptons TV (WVVH-TV) show, “Sneakin’ in at the Talkhouse,” airing on channel 78. The host or hosts of the program (Mackenzie Reef and Christina Ceccarelli hosted the inaugural episode, Andrew Steeley hosted a pilot program) will enter through the back door of the legendary music venue, The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, and interview some of the talent that graces its stage.

“Every time I go through the back door it feels like the old days,” Mr. Vespe said. “I built on it, I thought ‘what a cool idea for a show.’”

The first episode of “Sneakin’ in at the Talkhouse” aired on Monday, April 4. Future episodes are still being planned but a schedule has not been set. “Sneakin’” has also been posted on YouTube.

The first taping of “Sneakin’ in at the Talkhouse” wrapped early in March. The episode featured Ms. Reef and Ms. Ceccarelli sneaking in, watching a show and interviewing the Montauk-based band Thieves. According to Mr. Vespe, the chemistry between the two women and the band shone through during the taping.

“It was very natural,” he said. “The band is very visual. [Band member] Joe Delia looks just like Mick Jagger,” he said. Mr. Vespe also noted that the band has a song “Under the Montauk Moon,” that he feels captures the essence of the East End musicians.

For Mr. Delia, being interviewed for the first taping of “Sneakin’ in at the Talkhouse,” was a thrill, he said.

“It was done kind of spontaneously right before we went on stage,” Mr. Delia, who sings and plays the keyboard in the band, said. “The design and set up of the shots was very nice. We were in and out in 15 minutes.”

Other members of Thieves include Billy Roules on guitar and vocals, Muddy Roules on harmonica and bass and Paul Undersinger on drums. Mr. Vespe said that he chose the band because of its creativity, visual appeal and likeness to the Rolling Stones.

Thieves plays mostly original rock music material but sometimes performs covers of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and Muddy Waters, Mr. Delia said. The band will play the Talkhouse again on Saturday, April 30.

Folk musician Caroline Doctorow was also featured on the first episode of “Sneakin,’” Mr. Vespe, who is a fan, said. He added, “she plays great guitar and tours all of the time.”

Music shows are familiar territory for Mr. Vespe. After moving to the East End three years ago, he said he became involved in shooting a number of “Crossroads Coffeehouse” videos for Michael Clark, the owner of Crossroads Music in Amagansett. In exchange for recording a number of bands for Mr. Clark, Mr. Vespe would receive payment in the form of instruments, such as bongos and guitars.

“I owe Michael everything,” Mr. Vespe said.

Mr. Vespe is also well known for his “Keep a Cop Bored” viral video, recorded last December in East Hampton. The video features a local police officer fashioning earrings out of his handcuffs, impersonating various celebrities and feeding the seagulls while waiting for crimes to be reported. That video has since garnered more than 22,000 views on YouTube.

“Sneakin’ in at the Talkhouse” has already secured a number of local sponsors, including the Springs General Store, East Hampton Bowl, East Hampton Flowers, East Hampton Cards and More, Fierro’s Pizza and Village Hardware, according to Mr. Vespe. He said that the sponsors help pay for the cost of filming, adding that the money he actually makes from the show is “barely coffee money.”

But, the show is about so much more than money to Mr. Vespe, he said.

“I had a blast shooting it, I hope that people like it,” Mr. Vespe said. “I never knew this would be so well received so far. I’m expecting for a nice little show, if people like it, that’s great.”