We had the pleasure of playing Rob’s personal music festival, Dunnefest, a few weekends ago. We met through Michael Dause, a pal and musician friend from my short time at Belmont University.
Dunnefest is one of a kind. Rob’s a sound and EMT guru. He’s got a bit of land out in the middle of nowhere Michigan. You can swim in a river in the morning and see the milky way at night. So, Dunnefest is the weekend where all of the family and friends descend upon the grounds, RVs and tents pop up, and bonfires go all night. Food and drink is plentiful, and all of the music is earnest. That’s a whole thing to talk about in person.
Anyway, late in the game, we forgot that we needed the sound of a van door closing to end “Uncle.” I made a post on Facebook, and within a half hour, I had eight or so recordings of Rob’s old VW bus (named Lucy).
Thanks so much to Rob for welcoming us into his family, and giving Lucy a chance to sing.
THANKS | Michelle Ewert
Michelle was one of the first friends that I made in Columbus when I came to Ohio State. She made the artwork on the front and back of the CD. The CD is worth buying just to get a closer look at it; it was super particular about printing so that he hard work would shine.
I gave her a few ideas, and she took it from there. And I’m so happy that I have the originals at home, ready to move into little frames and hang out on the walls.
Michelle is wicked smart, super into bugs, and open and encouraging as all get out. Thanks for the good times in the dorm room, pillows and blankets across the floor, with as many friends as would fit.
THANKS | Alex Blumenthaler
Alex was one of Dan’s hired guns from music school (he had all the hookups). We had met before during my freshman year I think, but I didn’t know much about the kind, tall man who played bass. After working with him for the record, I can now confirm with certainty that he is tall, kind, and plays bass well. We’re rehearsing for the live show tonight, and I’m sure he’ll take to it as naturally as he did when we recorded in the lil booth in the Mershon studios.
Here’s to you, Alex Blumenthaler. May you continue to be tall and kind all the days of your life. May your bass tones always be sweet, and may you never lose your bow ever again.
THANKS | Victoria Butash
I’m not sure what to say about Victoria. I met Tori at King Avenue Five at an open mic that Jack Doran convinced me to go to. That night, I shared a few songs, Bridge among them. She saw something in me worth fostering, even when I couldn’t get all the words right.
Victoria is the muscle behind this record. She spent 72 hours with me in Oranjudio over two weekends. She spent dozens and dozens of hours mixing after a difficult move to Canada. She spent hours and hours on the phone with me, discussing what we liked, didn’t like, and were frustrated about. We butted heads more than anyone else over the past year and a half. And the album wouldn’t be as good if we hadn’t.
The biggest thanks to Tori. She’s relocated to Austin, Texas now after a brief stint in Vancouver. Say hello if you’re down there. And reach out to her if you need some engineering/mixing/producing/emotional supporting. She’ll have your back, and kick your ass into gear if you need it.
THANKS | Jack Doran
If you play music in Columbus, there’s a chance that you probably know Jack. I met Jack at Kafe Kerouac during the winter of 2015. I had just started going to the open mic there on Tuesdays; he said to let him know if I needed any keys or drums. Cue the montage of basement practices, hashing out songs I had never intended for anyone else to play on. Then our first show on August 14th at Victory’s downtown, as a two piece: me on acoustic guitar and vocals, Jack on drumset. It was my 21st birthday, and we played with Battlefield Collective and Lou Kestella. It was a strange night, and it was a good night, and Evan and Stephanie were kind enough to provide a lil birthday shot of whisky.
Jack plays with Steven King, Zoo Trippin', Keating, and maybe more? All are worth attention. You can probably find him at Kafe Kerouac in a hat that says “The Band.”
We lived together for a year, and while we had completely opposite schedules, we’d seem to find ourselves in long conversations at least once a month. Those were nice. We don’t live together anymore, but I’d still like to seek out those conversations now and again, on purpose this time.
His keys are everywhere on this record. Months ago, he sent me a recording of him playing keys along to an early version of Seagulls. That song would have died a quiet death if he didn’t send that voice memo. Thanks for that, Jack.
A Fair Warning
I neglected to update this blog very well throughout the past year and a half that we spent making a splendid little record.
However.
There's about to be a whole bunch of gratitude flooding this little blog over the next weeks.
The plan is to publish little thank you notes for every person who helped to make the record what it is, ending on August 25th, the release date.
So, brace for just shy of 30 thank you notes.
I'm putting the finishing touches on them tonight with a small glass of whisky, by scented candlelight.
Brace for intense and diligent appreciation of wonderful people who helped make ten songs shine brighter than I could have alone.
dear sam
well.
i suppose this is the internet now.
and i suppose this is what the internet is for.
this website will be a place to go that will hold all of the things i/we make over time. there is a songbook that has lyrics to a bunch of songs recorded under hello emerson and me as a single adult human. there are some photos of us doing things in front of people. one day there will be physical music to buy, and maybe even shirts and hats with images on them that remind people of the music that we make.
maybe.
but first and foremost, this is a folder for me to file things away in. i'll remember lyrics here. i'll link to songs here. i'll ruminate here, but not too much. i may just write letters to myself, like this one.
but remember - this isn't important. this is just an art project. it's the same as someone who likes woodworking and puts a bit of their paycheck into a special little fund that they use to buy lumber and tools. maybe a fancy new awl for making wood super smooth. for making a bookcase. and then people see the bookcase in their apartment when they're over for dinner, and they're like "wow, what a cool thing," and the craftsperson nods and says, "yes, i'm happy you think so."
songs are much like bookcases. but they come off as a bit more needy. they pine for attention more than furniture, sounds bouncing off of drywall and such. though some chairs are quite intent about being sit on, and creak in relief when you do so.
the long and short of it - there are more important things happening in the world right now that are worth fighting for. there are reasons to be in streets organizing against things that you find unjust. and in support of things you find just and good.
but sometimes hiding away in songs can be nice and helpful. and can fill your tank with some fuel you might need as you go from place to important place with the humans you hold dear.
i hope these songs can fill some tanks.