Come see us live! We're starting off a string of shows in Philly, performing w/ the great Half-handed Cloud (part of the venerable Asthmatic Kitty Records). A Facebook event for the Philly show is here: https://fb.me/e/4Mx5h0n3Z. It’ll be an early gig: music happens from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. John (read: Half-handed Cloud) lives in Finland and doesn’t often perform in America. He’s worth making a trip to see! As are we ;).
You can find details for all our upcoming shows here.
So pleased to be in America Magazine. [Article here] Our conversation took me to not one but two cities. Very cosmopolitan, I know.
Today we're sharing our version of "silent night"!
Last year, my friend Abi asked me to record the song for a zoom xmas celebration. We were happy with the results, thus I'm now—a year later—sending it out into the world to accompany you during this ever-darkening season.
The cover art (below) is a square version of my friend Mickey Haist, Jr.’s painting "Nativity".
Live photos of Ashley, Ben’s bass, and my midsection, by Jonathan Brown.
ADDITIONALLY, stay tuned for a small musical offering (something I'm proud of) in one (1) week.
Here are Dan and Ben, many years ago, at a show put together by our bandmate Ashley. The great Jonathan Brown photographed the event. I plan to share more photos in the coming weeks. Need to spread them out, lest you swoon so hard at my bandmates, you break your neck. (We realize this is an ongoing hazard associated with this website. Do know your health and safety are our top priority.)
#health #safety #fullyinsured #thechairmandances
Had the best show! Photos in order: 1) Us (wasn't angry, not sure what's going on w/ my face) 2) super group/friends thequietcampaign being great 3) Beer from venue fridge 4) Post it from our day-of-show rehearsal/text message thread
A new favorite still from our music video, made by Patrick Nugent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ceCdm5bac
Patrick shared this reflection about the work:
Image by Doring and Cranach (the elder), based on Durer's woodcuts
Had the best time performing at Brewery ARS!
Thanks to everyone who came out to our release show at Ortlieb’s! It was great seeing you, great collaborating with Bobby Pharaoh. We'll be at Brewery ARS a week from today (9/17), performing just outside their open garage door. (Music from 8 to about 8:45.)
Our Philly release show is Friday at Ortlieb's! We'd love to see you there.
Proof of vaccination is required (a picture of your card is fine). I took a Covid test as a precaution (came back negative). Feeling good the only Corona variant there will be Corona Light.
Poster by O Horvath
Enjoy this incredible video for “I pulled the sheet back…”, made by our friend Patrick Nugent. It stars an alcoholic kaiju (blobby monster) who’s trying to put their life together. They are empathic and sweet and only slightly more of a mess than most of us. You will love them. Feel like it’s necessary to say: this kaiju (like the song’s character) is religious. We’re not mocking their visions! I’m religious (and a leftist—you probably know both of these things by now.)
Below are some of my favorite stills from the video.
"Contrasts between the Elizabethan and Restoration theatres are numerous and striking. The Elizabethan theatre had been a theatre of the people.... [The] Restoration audience was perhaps the most thoroughly aristocratic audience the theatre has ever known."
-Whiting
Very happy to sing and play synth at Stu’s ordination last week
Earth & Altar shared our “A way through hell”! The piece exists as a song and a poem; both are included in the online magazine. (If you read the poem on your phone, turn your device (landscape) for proper formatting.)
https://earthandaltarmag.com/posts/khk6ad0cxj97tubtrc6qb4c49lx1sa
Philly-area people: our release show will happen 9/3 at Ortlieb’s; our good friends Joshua Howard and Spelling Reform will join us.
Tickets:
Facebook Event:
I wrote earlier that this record is about recognizing or attempting goodness. One thing I haven’t shared: most of the songs are memories of loved ones who experienced profound disappointment and suffering and—in spite of those evils—were exceedingly generous.
You can find lyrics (properly formatted) and credits here. If you like free verse poetry, I’m especially proud of pages six to nine (i.e., “An arm around your waist” through “Dove’s tail in pink light”).
A card game with my wife prompted this song. As I was fishing out cards that fell between the sofa cushions, I remembered very vividly doing the same thing as a kid. I remembered sitting with my mom in our living room. The drawn curtains gave the space a kind of glow during the day. I remembered that, as a child, I thought my mother was especially graceful.
Regarding the song’s title, “Dovetail” is the shuffle that quickly interleaves the cards. Only those blessed with exceptionally fine fine motor skills are able to execute it.
Porchfest (Two weeks earlier)
What a weekend. One show canceled, just as we were about to perform; another concert put together in an hour thanks to our friends in thequietcampaign. Many thanks to everyone who's come out to see us or listened to our two recent singles. You're the best.
For those looking for a relaxed, family friendly, outdoor Pride event: this Sunday (6/27), Eric will perform on Beacon’s front lawn (2364 E Cumberland St., Phila.). Eric goes on at 3. There may be baby pools. You need to bring your own baby, though.
We're taking part in West Reading’s Art on the Avenue this Saturday. Come see us on the 6th Avenue stage from 3:25-4.
