MHB: Well, we already had a partnership going with Grooveshark for North Coast Music Fest and then one Saturday afternoon I was driving home from brunch and my label executive Timm Martin called me and had just seen the CEO of Grooveshark on the Bloomberg report and was impressed with his whole deal. We got to talking, brainstormed the idea with Alex Hoffman their head of artist development who spearheaded it from their end. The rest is history, well sort of cause it’s still currently live for a few weeks.

The campaign has been very successful and it was an interesting experiment to deal with releasing music after such a significant amount of time exclusively on one site/platform. We have gotten to check out some pretty cool stats/info about what other bands’ fans of our music are into, which is very cool for conceptualizing future touring partnerships. We also can read peoples’ notes and comments and it’s generally been super positive. The real album drops this fall though. We are recording two last songs the day after North Coast in Chicago with our producer Justin Niebank then setting a late fall release date to be determined. In the mean time, people can vote for our next single out of these four and get all four songs as a free download instantly. Once the contest ends or if they don’t want to vote, they get the four pack sampler as a free download by signing up for our email list.

HT: Based on those four songs up for consideration for the single, the new album sounds like a bit of a shift in direction toward a slightly more pop-oriented sound. Was this a band decision to move in this direction, or perhaps the result of working with a producer/engineer like Justin Niebank who brings that “radio hit” type of experience having worked with people like Taylor Swift and Keith Urban?

MHB: My writing style has always been very poppy by default and I embrace it if it goes in that direction. Whatever comes out is what is meant to. All my songs start with a chord progression or lyric and a melody. The most random things inspire me each day and I write them all into the note pad on my phone.

The thing about Justin’s impact on the band is clear, and we are so proud to be involved with him. He has million dollar ears and is one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met. We really look up to him. In addition to his poppy elements he also helps us get tighter and find better chemistry as musicians. The funny part is we are such a departure from what he usually works on that this lands us square in the middle of something unique and different for all of us.

HT: What does the routine – or lack thereof – of a typical Van Ghost rehearsal look like these days?

MHB: That depends on if we are doing a song writing session at my place with a few of us, a new song development session at our warehouse or prepping for a show or run and playing all new and old stuff. We have very productive and fun rehearsals either way you spin it.

HT: On your tour this past summer, I noticed you guys hit the road in a seriously badass bus. Got any good stories you can share from the tour? Did you name it?

MHB: That’s been incredible and definitely affects the vibe of the tour, and the presence of the band as we roll into a town or festy. You get better rest and eat healthier too. All of this affects the show positively. We’ve all traveled in a passenger van, or our cars and such and this was a gift from our label to get this type of tour support. There are no insane stories, or at least ones I want to talk about but we did name it the Ghost Vost. As it was a prevost bus. Cheesy? Maybe.

HT: One of the challenges I imagine you face routinely in working with established musicians like Jennifer is coordinating schedules and managing the gaps when members of the band are working on their other projects. What’s your approach to maintaining the flexibility and ensuring the band plows ahead no matter what speed bumps you encounter?

MHB: Well, that is much tougher now. In the past with the original line up, if someone wasn’t avail we’d just sub them out. But that has changed now. This line up is THE BAND. Period. If people can’t play, we don’t take a date. We just try and plan as far in advance as possible to avoid stuff like this. Every member is essential to our sound at this point. It feels good to finally have that sorted out after three years of the project being alive. It finally came at the perfect time too because this summer has been our most successful season to date.

HT: In terms of the album, could you elaborate on why you decided on the name The Domino Effect?

MHB: The first reason is it’s our second studio album so the first one knocked into this one and we hope to keep releasing material one after the next. Then love it or leave it, the message of the song (not the story) is about spreading love. That’s all were trying to do with our lives and music. On the real though, some days are easier than others to practice that and it always works better in theory. But anyways, the last reason is it was one of the songs written in the era that bridges the gap between the old version of the band and VG 2.0.

HT: Alright, before we go, I know you are a big Bears fan, and most importantly a fantasy football fan. So, let’s get down to some business; of the consensus first-round picks, who do think represents the biggest bust potential?

MHB: Chris Johnson. He kinda flopped last year. Who knows though he can come on again. My eyes are on the prize of a few others but if I told ya I’d have to kill you. I’m in four leagues this year with tons of friends and folks around the industry. They might be reading this very article when it goes live (pre-draft) and I can’t get caught up giving away my secrets or it could bite me in the ass later! Know this: the Van Giggity’s & the Big Ditkas – two of my squad names – always kill it in fantasy every season. Have ya hurrrrrd? Holler.

In other news, our friends in Van Ghost are teaming up with Grooveshark to throw a Pick The Single contest. Entrants who listen to four new songs from the group’s forthcoming album – The Domino Effect, “like” the band on Facebook and pick which song they think should be the single are eligible to win a trip to the North Coast Music Festival that includes airfare, all access passes, accomodations, dinner with the band and more.

Elsewhere, Umphrey’s McGee LD Jeff Waful returns with the start of the second episode of Jeff Waful +1 over at Relix. For this episode, Jefferson shares behind the scenes footage of UM’s collaboration with Huey Lewis at Summer Camp 2011.

[via Jambands.com]

[Photo by Adam Kaufman]

Dumpstaphunk followed on the Pool Deck and were joined by Lettuce/Some Cat From Japan/Jam Cruise 8 MVP Nigel Hall and – shocker – George Porter Jr. The famous Meters bassist always makes his presence felt in every sector of the boat and yesterday was no exception. Zach Deputy has one helluva 2010 and you could sense his growth during his first performance on the Solar Stage. Cummins added some Moog to Zach’s originals after Karl Denson blasted some sax earlier in the set.

Another highlight from Day Two was the Some Cat From Japan set, which featured a ton of sit-ins. Whether it was Bob Weir joining in for Watchtower or Eric McFadden tearing shit up on Little Wing, the Hendrix tribute band had friends galore on stage with them during the nearly two-hour show on the Pool Deck. Tony Hall led the Jam Room on Day One and on Day Two he lent his vocal prowess to a scorching Them Changes with Some Cat. Guitarist Scott Metzger was clearly reveling in the moment and seemed to kick his playing up a notch from its normal ridiculous level.

Each day on Jam Cruise, one keyboardist gets a 45-minute set on the gorgeous grand piano set up in the ship’s atrium. On Day Two, Marco Benevento got the call and tackled some of his best material including Sunny’s Song, Real Morning Party and a cover of My Morning Jacket’s Golden. I always love these intimate performances as did Marco’s daughter Ruby, who nearly stole the show with her smiles.

The West Coast contingent took over the Zebra Bar during the evening with a short set by troubadour Nathan Moore leading into an action-packed ALO session. ALO energized the crowd with their cover of A Fifth of Beethoven and a sit-in from unannounced special guest Roosevelt Collier of the Lee Boys. From there, it was off to Scaring The Childen, where once again Steve Kimock kept things interesting by adding sizzling lead guitar to the mix. Jack Straw in particular featured a sly, slinky solo, which brought Kimock to his feet showing rare emotion.

I must admit, I’m not the biggest Galactic fan, but they kept things interesting throughout there set thanks to various guest spots from Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Ivan Neville and a killer rendition of Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ featuring Taylor Hicks on vocals. Hicks has been making friends a plenty on the boat with the American Idol’s willingness to sit-in on everything and anything.

[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]

Other guest spots on Day Two included Maceo Parker with England funksters The New Mastersounds and nearly every New Orleans musician on the boat joining in at some point during the JoJo’s Mardi Gras Band performance. My eyes at this point were on a bigger prize – two and a half hours of God Street Wine. I’ll have a full review of GSW’s crusher of a set at some point soon, but highlights included guitarist Lo Faber telling the story of how the NYC-based band rose up through the ranks in the ’90s and landed on Jam Cruise all these years later, a four-song Bob Weir sit-in (Book of Rules, Dark Hollow, Race Is On and Dear Prudence) that was straight out a dream from my mind when I was 16-years-old and an incendiary Feel The Pressure -> Driving West, Mile By Mile -> Epiphany -> When She Go segment.

You could’ve knocked me over with a feather as the old saying goes. Here’s a look at the GSW setlist…

Set: Princess Henrietta, R U 4 Real?, Fortress of Solitude, Cheap Utah Blues, Diana, Book of Rules*, Dark Hollow*, Race Is On*, Dear Prudence*, Feel The Pressure -> Driving West, Mile By Mile -> Epiphany -> When She Go, Better Than You, Waiting For The Tide -> Hellfire -> If I Can Dream

Over in the Jam Room, Stockholm Syndrome’s Wally Ingram was leading things with Collier, Butler, Danny Louis, Porter and Stanton Moore among those holding court. While the action finished at all the official venues at 5AM that didn’t stop Brock from playing another three hour sunrise set in which he took requests from the 40 or so fans gathered around him near the pool including Rainbow Connection, the Theme to Super Mario Brothers and the Fraggle Rock theme song. Not to be outdone, Zach Deputy threw an impromptu set of his own once Butler finished.

I’ve just spent a while laying out the highlights of Day Two and there’s still so much I didn’t get to cover and so much more I want to explain in depth. That said, I don’t want to miss anymore music so I’ll aim to cover a few sets in more detail (Brock, JHa and GSW) at a later time. Last year’s Jam Cruise was the best week of my life and yesterday may have even raised that bar. Jam Cruise is a music lovers dream come true and I’m eating up every moment of it.

In case you missed Scott’s Day 1 recap, you can get caught up right here

For these reasons, my favorite blog on the web is Hidden Track. I really wanted to announce the launch of this podcast series exclusively through HT to its community of passionate music lovers. I hope you enjoy it, will share it with others, and are off to a great start for 2010. With mad love for y’all…

- Michael Harrison Berg of Van Ghost

11.21.09 – Kingston, NY – Keegans Ales (*)
11.25.09 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean (**)

1. Do It For You    2:38 (*)
2. Coliseum    3:01 (*)
3. Head Above Water    2:47 (**)
4. Danimal Plays For Keeps    0:23  (**)
5. Wednesday    4:07 (**)
6. Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full of Promise (The Avett Brothers cover)    4:04 (**)
7. Return To Innocence    3:58 (**)
8. Heart Broken On The Wrong Day    3:25 (**)
9. Not Feeling Me    3:28  (**)
10. Domino Effect    3:25 (*)
11. Telling Stories    3:48 (*)
12. Everyday Music    3:22
13. Hurry Up –>    3:16 (*)
14. On The Way Home –>    4:20 (*)
15. Find The Cost Of Freedom (CSNY cover)    2:41 (*)
16. Summer Promise    3:20 (*)

All songs are from November’s “The Breakdown Acoustic” tour.

We were out on the road as an acoustic trio featuring Michael Harrison Berg (vocals/guitar), Jennifer Hartswick (vocals), and Chris Gelbuda (guitar/vocals) supporting our friends Nershi/Law Duo having too much fun. The performances feature material from our debut record, “Melodies For Lovers“, our forthcoming record, (currently titled) “Heartbroken On The Wrong Day” as well as a few covers by The Avett Brothers and CSNY. The track listing above will show you which show each track is from but all cuts are from.

• Breakdown Acoustic Podcast Downloads: Single Track Podcast [iTunes/libsyn], 16 Tracks [split up for easy skipping around between songs]

Van Ghost – A Summer Promise Webisode

Next week, the Van Ghost Acoustic Trio featuring Michael Harrison Berg, Jennifer Hartswick and Chris Gelbuda hits the road with the Nershi-Law Duo for The Breakdown Acoustic Tour. Check out the Van Ghost website to find out when they’ll be in your neck of the woods.

Here are six more shows we found on the Open Source Archive…

• Perpetual Groove: 05-08-2009 SBD
• God Street Wine: 12/30/1989 FOB?
  
• Marco Benevento Trio: 05/07/2009 SBD?
• Skinny Singers (w/ Phil Lesh): 09/13/2007 SBD
• New Mastersounds: 07/28/2007 DAUD
• Scarecrow Collection: 02/08/2008 MATRIX

The Skinny: The Disco Biscuits have debuted a slew of covers over the past few years, but none as powerful as their take on Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name. Bonerama add a dash of funk to this delicious version of Frank Zappa’s Peaches en Regalia.

Spanish Castle Magic – PBS vs. A Day In The Life – Phish

The Skinny: Brian Stoltz channels Jimi Hendrix during PBS’s show-stopping cover of Spanish Castle Magic, while Phish channels The Beatles for a song that Paul McCartney didn’t even have the balls to cover until recently.

Sledgehammer – DMB vs. Wind Cries Mary – Martin Sexton

The Skinny: The Dave Matthews Band busted out a number of covers last summer, but none as good as their take on Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer. Martin Sexton also plays a ton of covers with his take on Hendrix’s Wind Cries Mary standing out from the pack.

The Seeker – Pearl Jam vs. Sittin’ In Limbo – Garcia/Grisman

The Skinny: Pearl Jam has been covering The Who since their early days and sneak their fantastic version of The Seeker into setlists on rare occasions. Jerry Garcia has always loved to sing Jimmy Cliff’s Sittin’ In Limbo and brought the song to his project with David Grisman, where the two greats teamed up for this beautiful cover.

Making Flippy Floppy – UM vs. Bell Bottom Blues – Trey Anastasio

The Skinny: Umphrey’s McGee first covered Making Flippy Floppy for a Talking Heads tribute album and the tune quickly became a band and fan favorite. Trey Anastasio debuted a number of tunes he always wanted to play on his first solo tour with this Clapton cover standing out from the rest of the pack.

Jealous Guy – RMB vs. Can’t Find My Way Home – Widespread Panic

The Skinny: Ryan Montbleau channels Donny Hathaway’s version for his band’s cover, while John Bell goes falsetto to tackle Winwood’s vocals on the Blind Faith masterpiece.

Creep – Gov’t Mule vs. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover – Mr. Blotto

The Skinny: Warren Haynes eschews Thom Yorke’s falsetto in favor of belting out this cover of Radiohead’s most radio-friendly song, while Mr. Blotto works a rap about Bill Clinton’s impeachment into their impressive Paul Simon cover.

Don’t Let Me Down – Van Ghost vs. Not Fade Away – Grateful Dead

The Skinny: Van Ghost vocalists Michael Berg and Jennifer Hartswick deliver top-notch vocals on their Beatles cover, while The Dead have made this Buddy Holly cover their own thanks to over 20 years in heavy rotation.

Now, we’re not going to give guidance on how you should judge each entry. Vote for whatever cover you want for whatever reason you want. The polls close at 11:59PM EDT on Sunday night and we’ll be back with our Round of 8 one week from today. If you feel like sharing your choices, let us know which covers you picked by leaving a comment below…

Our first taste of Melodies For Lovers is a single called Summer Promise that sounds equal parts Oasis, CCR, Wilco, Moonboot Lover and The Byrds. Van Ghost worked with the talented Wiggle Puppy Productions team to create the perfect visual for this catchy tune. Let’s take a look…

Further Viewing:

• Van Ghost – Telling Stories
• Van Ghost – Wednesday
• Van Ghost – On The Way Home

Van Ghost is the brainchild of Chicago indie promoter Mike Berg. After spending some years booking and promoting other top-notch national and local acts, Berg decided it was time for his own music to be heard. No slouch himself, Mike filled in with some of the country’s best musicians whose resumes include the Trey Anastasio Band, Fareed Haque Group, and RANA.

Self-described as “classic or folk rock,” the heart of Van Ghost’s songs lie in the interaction between Berg and vocalist/trumpet player Jennifer Hartswick. Berg’s voice has just the right touch of timidity, making each word he sings seem honest and direct. Hartswick has an impressive resume herself stemming from being a staple of Trey Anastasio’s band since he expanded from the trio. Her powerful vocals and elastic trumpet phrasing leave the audience hanging on every note, eagerly awaiting what she will do next. Their voices mesh beautifully, allowing the feeling and passion of Berg’s lyrics to shine.

As a band, Van Ghost evokes a sound reminiscent of Glenn Campbell’s 70s big sound mixed with a touch of CCR and the Dead’s country period. They perform Berg’s songs with precision and tenderness, allowing the lyrics and music to blend in a way that the overall songwriting craft becomes the center of attention.

Triple Dot Mas Presents:
Tim Reynolds Band
Van Ghost
The Double Door
1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-489-3160
$15 adv / $17 dos