Brooklyn’s own Victor V. Gurbo has long existed in a musical space where time feels fluid. A folk-rock and roots songwriter, artist, and custom guitar maker, Gurbo’s work traverses decades of American music while remaining distinctly contemporary.
Gurbo's latest live album, Gurbo & Co. Live 2025, released March 11, 2026, captures that duality, blending the grit of the past with the energy of the present.
From the first strum, Gurbo’s influences are clear yet transformative. Gurbo channels blues legends like Robert Johnson and Howlin’ Wolf, the storytelling of Hank Williams, and the lyrical depth of John Prine, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen. Yet his voice, at once warm, gravelly, and intimate, feels unmistakably modern, bridging eras with effortless authenticity.
Music isn’t the only craft in Gurbo’s bloodline. Born into a family of painters, musicians, and artisans, he grew up surrounded by creativity and a fascination with history. Studies in photography and historical research sharpened his perspective, giving him a rare sense of the past’s ongoing influence.
In Gurbo’s hands, the past is never static—it’s a living, breathing part of every note and lyric.
Gurbo’s dedication to history extends beyond songwriting. As a guitar maker, he often repurposes discarded materials, turning forgotten wood and metal into instruments that carry both story and resonance.
Musicians across New York City, including Dan Veksler of Mad Meg and Alex Orange Drink, now play his one-of-a-kind creations, each guitar a testament to Gurbo’s philosophy: find beauty in what others overlook, and transform it into something timeless.
In November 2025, Gurbo and his band took the stage at New York’s legendary Cafe Wha?, a venue steeped in history. Bob Dylan performed there as a young man in 1961, and Gurbo’s electric set channels that same raw energy while making it wholly contemporary.
The album captures the excitement of a live room where history and the present collide: the spontaneous moments, the subtle improvisations, the thrill of connecting with a space that has seen generations of music unfold. Gurbo’s performance is both homage and innovation, proof that folk-rock’s roots remain fertile ground for exploration today.
In a world of fleeting digital releases, Gurbo & Co. Live 2025 feels enduring. It’s a record that respects tradition without feeling nostalgic, that honors legends without being derivative.
For listeners, it’s an invitation to step into Gurbo’s Brooklyn world, where guitars sing stories, songs carry history, and every note feels both old and new.
Connect with Victor V. Gurbo: Website // Instagram // Facebook
