summer house
once in a while, you get lucky in life, and i got lucky this summer when i found a pristine cottage on 150 acres of salt marsh on the south river on boston’s south shore. it’s one of those magical spots where there’s usually a breeze and the wind chimes play in the great white oak that shades the house. i’ve been here for four weeks now and my soul and spirit downshift every time i walk through the gate. i am immensely grateful for this little slice of paradise and it feels like a life saver. i’ve named the cottage “summer house.”
the muse returned not long after i moved in, and the songs have finally started to come after a long absence. nothing (almost) could make me happier. i suppose i should go easier on myself after just releasing TWO albums back to back, but the truth is, as i write, i always wonder which song will be my last and i’ve been spoiled for a long time now with near-continuous inspiration. last summer’s “backroads” finale with “tonight” and “show me love,” left a very high bar and it’s been tough to let myself create without comparing every song to those two triumphs, but i think i’m over it. thank God for the van gogh brothers who support me through thick and thin.
the van gogh brothers are looking forward to playing the beautiful magical moon barn on saturday, august 6th as part of the farm’s tailgate + music series. the first show was on july 9th and it was wonderful to see people picnicking on the farm’s spectacular ocean-facing grounds and the candlelit barn come to life again with the super-fun assisted living band. the swinging steaks will play on friday, july 29th- the week before us- and cooler by the coast will play onsaturday, august 13th, the week after. and then, before you know it, we will resume our lifetime residency again at vincent’s worcester on saturday, september 10th!
i’m not looking much further ahead than that at the moment, and i suppose i have summer house to thank for that. i’ve recently heard that life is NOT a journey- there is no destination, so single defining achievement, no graduation- that tells us “you’ve arrived!” we’re so conditioned to think in terms of goals that not having them can feel sinful. the truth is, life really IS what’s happening while we’re busy making other plans, as john lennon said. so for now at least, i’m not planning much more than a few things in the months ahead, and none of them have cash and prizes attached. it feels serene.
i hope you find your “summer house” wherever you are for at least a few days this summer, and that you get some time to unwind. please join us at the magical moon farm on saturday, august 6th for tailgate + music from 4:30-8:00PM and you’ll be guaranteed a few hours of summer serenity and fun.
until then, all the best,
jc