Cousin Rob shipped me a USB flash drive full of music in a bubble mailer from Michigan to Ohio when I was in high school. In it, I found a bunch of Decemberists, Bon Iver, Das Racist, and a bunch of other artists who have seriously made a mark on what I listen to today.
From playing video games to writing passive aggressive songs about Bodary family Christmas and getting all of the cousins to sing the chorus, I’m thankful for who he’s been and who he will be to me.
He played bass on a few songs. But more importantly, we hung out the whole weekend. We ate food at Catalinas and Exotic Latino Grill. We saw a movie at Gateway. We walked around a lot. We learned and listened to songs. And he took a lot of selfies and arranged them into a collage to remember his trip. I hope he’ll post that below.
Rob does comedy up in Chicago with The Storefront. And he’s a mental health professional. I admire the balance he’s got, and I’m looking for ways to do the same.
THANKS | Robert Dunne
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.