PAUL ANDERSON
Lead Guitar
Paul is the lead guitarist for Sideways Down. He has been playing guitar for many years and draws inspiration from a wide variety of musical influences. His versatility and attention to detail help shape the band's sound across its diverse repertoire.
Paul is perhaps the most disciplined member of the band and often takes the lead in arranging songs for Sideways Down. Whether adapting a classic tune, structuring an ending, or fine-tuning an arrangement, he enjoys finding ways to make songs work for the band's unique style and instrumentation.
When it comes to gear, Paul is never satisfied leaving well enough alone. He is constantly tinkering with, modifying, and rebuilding amplifiers and effects pedals, always searching for the perfect tone. His technical curiosity and hands-on approach make him the band's resident gear expert.
Away from music, Paul is an avid cyclist. The same discipline and focus he brings to music can also be found in his passion for cycling, where 70-mile rides are not uncommon.
ERIN CABRAL
Singer and Manager
Erin is a lead singer and the manager for Sideways Down. She has loved singing since childhood and has always had music as a part of her life. Her greatest inspiration was her grandmother, who had been a lounge singer in her younger years and was always singing. Her grandmother also greatly admired Patsy Cline, a connection that continues today and is one of the reasons Sideways Down includes Patsy Cline songs in its repertoire. Growing up around that influence helped shape Erin’s love of music and her connection to singing.
She began singing with Jack in 2004, and the two have shared the stage in several different musical groups over the years, building a strong musical connection that continues in Sideways Down today. Having also been married for over 25 years, their connection extends well beyond the stage. Their vocal chemistry, natural interaction, and harmonies have become an important part of the band's sound and style.
Outside of music, Erin attended Johnson & Wales University and earned a degree in management before working in restaurant management. She later stepped away in 2002 to focus on raising a family. Those management skills continue to serve her well today, as she does an outstanding job keeping Sideways Down organized and moving forward as the band's manager.
As a youthful member of Sideways Down, Erin brings a distinct energy, warmth, and flair to the group. Her enthusiasm, stage presence, and vocal style help shape the band’s personality and strengthen its connection with audiences, making every show lively and engaging.
JACK CABRAL
Singer and Rhythm Guitar
Jack is a singer and rhythm guitar player for Sideways Down. He is the youngest member of the group and brings his lighthearted humor to the band, frequently sharing stories from past bands and the many musician friends he has met along the way. He keeps rehearsals lighthearted, often making the band laugh with his unique spin on song lyrics.
Jack has a long musical history that includes playing bass in numerous groups and projects before shifting his focus to acoustic guitar. His current guitar work is centered around Sideways Down, where he focuses on rhythm guitar and vocals, bringing a relaxed but expressive style that fits naturally within the band’s sound.
Vocal versatility is one of Jack’s defining strengths, moving effortlessly from raw, deeply textured vocals to smooth, clean melodies depending on the song. He places a strong emphasis on complementing Erin’s lead vocals with harmonies and layered background vocals, helping create the band’s signature vocal blend.
His background as a bass guitarist also gives him a unique approach to rhythm guitar, bringing a more complex and musically interesting interpretation to his parts. This added depth contributes to the band’s overall groove and dynamic feel.
When he’s not playing with Sideways Down, Jack enjoys attending hard rock and metal concerts with his daughter, sharing a mutual appreciation for high-energy live music.
JOE CARTA
Bass Guitar
Joe plays bass for Sideways Down. Joe has been playing bass since 1963 — you can do the math if you want to know exactly how long that is. His musical journey began in his teens and twenties, when he played regularly with a variety of bands throughout the Connecticut music scene. Of all the groups he played with during those years, one of his favorites was a Motown band that performed many of the great hits of that era, music that continues to influence and inspire him today.
Joe eventually took a break from music for about twenty years, but his love of performing never disappeared. Now back on stage, he is enjoying every opportunity to play again and reconnect with the music that has been part of his life for so many years.
Joe also has a few stories that only a lifetime in music can provide — including being in the audience at Woodstock.
As the musical veteran of Sideways Down, Joe brings experience, a steady temperament, and rock-solid rhythm to the band. He has previously played with Marc, Jack, and Erin in different musical projects over the years, and is excited to now have everyone together as part of this talented group of musicians.
MARC RENÉ
Drums and Percussion
Marc is the drummer, percussionist, and webmaster for Sideways Down. With 48 years of drumming experience, Marc has spent a lifetime behind the kit, beginning in his teenage years and continuing through college, where his early playing was rooted primarily in classic rock. Those formative influences helped shape his sense of groove, dynamics, and feel—elements that continue to define his playing today.
Over the years, Marc has performed with a variety of bands and has also had the unique experience of playing alongside both his brother and his son, who are each bass players. Music has always been a strong family connection for him as well as a lifelong passion.
After retiring from his full-time career, Marc found the opportunity to return more fully to his musical roots and was fortunate to connect with a talented group of like-minded musicians in Sideways Down. The band’s wide-ranging repertoire—spanning classic rock, southern rock, oldies, R&B, country, and modern Americana—has both suited his background and continually challenged him as a musician, allowing him to expand his versatility while staying grounded in the styles that first inspired him.
When he’s not keeping the beat on stage, Marc can often be found teaching Computer Science classes at Rhode Island College, sharing his enthusiasm for technology and learning with students.