On the Path to Something Special: Merchants Path Finds Its Groove

On a quiet street in Wainscott, two teenagers once picked up their guitars with nothing more than a shared love for music and a summer afternoon to kill. What began as a casual jam session between Julian Link-Morse and Silas Jones has since evolved into Merchants Path — a rising band making waves across the East End music scene.

The street where it all began became more than just a backdrop. Merchants Path was not only their rehearsal spot — it became a symbol of friendship, creativity and the journey that brought them together. Naming the band after it felt like the most natural tribute.

Their musical journey began in 2021, sparked by a mutual appreciation for the Grateful Dead and the simple joy of playing guitar together. Not long after, Jones teamed up with Cashus Muse and other members of East Hampton High School’s jazz band to form Passerby, a short-lived but energetic project that made appearances at iconic venues like The Stephen Talkhouse before dissolving as its members went off to college.

But music, like gravity, has a way of pulling the right people back together. Earlier this year, Jones, Muse and Link-Morse reunited — this time with bassist Dylan Hewitt, a childhood friend of Jones from the East Hampton Presbyterian Church. The result: Merchants Path, a fresh jam band built on shared history, mutual respect and a broad spectrum of musical influences.

Their sound blends the laid-back vibes of Mac Miller, the dreamy introspection of Frank Ocean and the layered psychedelia of Tame Impala — all grounded in the classic rock roots of The Beatles, Grateful Dead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Eagles.

Their first rehearsal, Jones recalls, was “magical” — marked by a rare, undeniable musical chemistry. “We’re really democratic in terms of creativity,” he adds. “Everyone has a voice. The songwriting process is all of us, and that makes it feel like a family from the beginning.”

Since their debut this spring, Merchants Path has already played a standout show at The Talkhouse, drawing an enthusiastic crowd that included Muse’s mother, Nancy Atlas — a revered figure on the East End music scene.

Support has come from East End Originals, an Instagram-based community celebrating homegrown talent, and more live shows followed, including a performance at North Sea Tavern on July 11. They’ll return to the venue on August 9 — and by then, they hope to be close to wrapping their first EP, set for release by the end of summer.

Bassist Dylan Hewitt summed up the band’s ethos best before their first gig: “Most importantly, let’s just have fun. Mistakes are going to happen, but we all got each other.”

It’s a philosophy that’s carried them from backyard jam sessions to the stage — where the sound is loose, the energy is high, and the path ahead is wide open.