Brothers
The van Gogh Brothers are getting a jump on fall this year with a summertime show on Saturday, August 10th at 7:00PM, at Donna Green’s beautiful Magical Moon Farm in Marshfield. We returned to recording and performing in June after a difficult year of health issues and loss. Times like these test the mettle of friendship and devotion, and one of the positives to come out of all this is the strength of our bond as a band. Shared music breeds a special relationship, especially original music brought to life by longtime bandmates. This is our secret, common language, and we share it wih all of you through the songs. Come and experience this unique communion at one of our live shows. It is truly special.
We’ve had a series of special moments this spring and summer. I returned to LA in May and reunited with one of our longtime producers, Anthony J. Resta, and my Voices of van Gogh bandmates Scarlet Rivera and John Durrill, plus dear friend and former Zamcheck bandmate Michael Levine. This was one of many encounters during a week of catch-up meetings and socializing with friends, colleagues and business partners. I return to Malibu on August 2nd to catch up with those I didn’t see in May. In the meantime, I begin the process of packing up my New Orleans pied-a-terre which I’m letting go in August. My son tells me I am welcome at his home and given the sporadic time spent in NoLa over the last 15 months, that seems like the right answer for now. There’s a big area over which I’m spreading myself while I still can, so short roots are best for now.
The legendary Stu Kimball joined us at Woolly Mammoth to track another new song, “His Own Resolve,” with Paul on acoustic guitar, Clay on bass and Andy Plaisted on drums. We were thrilled to have Stu become part of our new album, our 17th. We continued tracking with the also-legendary Cliff Goodwin adding his magic to the same track. An epic series of sessions with deep emotion and purpose, all helmed by longtime producer and dear friend, David Minehan.
While I was in LA, Anthony gave me a guest spot on his wonderful podcast, “Studio Secrets A-Z,” which was a blast. We visited our shared history over that last 25+ years and highlighted several tracks, beginning with our first collaboration. in 2003, “Without Your Love.” We had a great time. This is why it’s important to show up in the far off places— you get to pick up friendships and projects where you left off.
For our Boston-area friends, please mark your calendars for October 11th, when we return to The Burren in Somerville for our first Boston-area appearance in 5 years! Please help us make this a fun night so we can begin playing regularly in town again.
As always, we resume our school-year lifetime residency every second Saturday, at Vincent’s Worcester, on September 14th at 8:00PM. I say this from time to time, and I will say it again, Vincent Hemmeter has been a true Brother to us for over 20 years, and it is in no small part because of Vincent’s support that we are together today.
Come join us for some summer fun on August 10th!
Love,
JC