For the first time since probably 2011 Tim, Dave and I have been in a band that lasted over a year.  That first month is always exciting – more energy than you can channel, really.  You set goals and plan out the year to come, and jam a lot.  But soon after the jitters are out the real productivity begins.  The ten months that follow are full of writing, playing and recording.  Then, as December closes in you reflect on how successful you were and make harder, bigger goals for the following year.  This month, in episode 5 of The Paper Street Post, Bobby sits down with Tim to discuss just that.  In the first month of 2017, we reflect on the year behind us and plan for the next one. 

Our “South to North” tour in Ohio was definitely the biggest accomplishment for us in 2016.  We’re all familiar with being on stage and writing new music; we’ve been in the studio before as well, but none of us have ever planned and executed a real tour.  It was not successful because of its scope, length or monetary benefits.  It was our biggest success because this time last year we stood outside in the cold and said “It’d be awesome if we could go on tour this year,” and then we did it.  We cold-called venues, bands and friends that we knew in the area, put together three packed shows, appeared on the Makeshift Podcast, and made money along the way.  If we can set a goal – especially one which none of us have any experience in – and still succeed, then we’re obviously setting the bar too low.  That’s exhilarating! 

As memorable and encouraging as being on that tour was, we continued to reap the benefits from it long after we had unpacked the cars back in Nashville.  Bobby says that when we left Cleveland we left as a band, and he’s right on several levels.  We spent a decent amount of time preparing for our run in Ohio, but both JP and I were each gone the two weeks before we left.  I was prepared for things to be little sloppy during that first show at Suzie’s Dogs and Drafts, but it went better than most of our Nashville gigs!  Then we did it again the next night in Mentor, and again in Geneva-on-the-Lake!  I learned more about these guys musically in on weekend than I had in over seven months of writing, practicing, jamming and performing.  We could push and pull songs when they needed it, or drop out knowing someone would jump in to fill the space.  The songs came alive again in Ohio.  One song in particular really hit its stride, and this is probably my favorite memory from the tour:

“On My Feet” was written by Tim and me in 2013 when I had just moved down as a guitar-and-piano tune with two voices.  We had tried to arrange it for the full band several times with moderate success.  It’s a slow song, though, and wouldn’t fit at most of the dives we play in town, so we never got a chance to let it fly in front of a crowd.  In Mentor, Ohio where most of the people there were there to hear us, it was the perfect place to test it out.  And it was beautiful.  It was the one moment on the entire tour that I closed my eyes and let the music hold me up, move my hands and sing my words while I enjoyed the show.  The music we’re currently writing has, for me, a beauty reminiscent of that song at that show. 

As much as I love “On My Feet,” I can’t disagree with Tim and Bobby that the defining song of the tour was “South to North.”  It’s now a band favorite, but it was quite different when it was originally written.  Tim and Bobby talk about the writing of the song, but it underwent a change even after it was finished being written.  It was much slower, in a lower key and had an intentionally strong “Simon and Garfunkel” vibe.  The harmonies were the same, but we really milked them.  It was beautiful.  The day that Tim and I showed the song to the guys Dave said that he was not a fan almost immediately because it was too slow or lacked energy.  We nearly dropped it to move on to another tune!  If memory serves me well, I think I was the one who wouldn’t let it go.  If Dave didn’t like it slow, let’s speed it up.  Let’s try it a couple different ways to be certain it won’t ever work.  

We changed the key, sped it up, trusted the band and Bobby came through for us.  Making the song faster didn’t exactly fix the problem, but the faster tempo let Bobby try this incessant rhythm between the snare and rim which somehow tied everything together, and the song just rolled forward.  It was the exact sound that the song needed to survive.  Bobby had already proven himself to us as a musician and drummer – he had already impressed us countless times in rehearsal and performance—but this was how I knew that he was more than a good drummer.  Now he was capable of matching our song-writing and creativity with his own, which I’m convinced is a much harder task as a drummer than any other instrumentalist.  Our sound has changed to follow that lesson –to follow Bobby more – and we have found a more mature sound in 2016 because of him. 

With twelve shows in the books (three of which were out-of-state) our first merchandise ordered, a small handful of writer’s nights played and a seven song EP we have closed out 2016.  We didn’t do it on our own, though.  Without having these guys pushing me to be better, without our parents, friends, coworkers and cohorts 2016 would have been very different.  Our friend Kim and Bobby’s sister Melissa took some stellar photos of us, and Tim’s buddy Kyle helped us with an electronic press kit and videos of a live show.  My friend and colleague DeAna Duncan has been to more of our shows than I have and has been an immense creative asset as an artist helping us with logos and other marketing images.  My sister Liz moved to Nashville just to see us play more frequently, but she has also helped us to meet people at shows since she’s not as awkward as we are.  Dave’s wife Julie has been putting up with us making loud noises for several years.  Aside from selling our EP at shows and taking donations, she is honest and supportive: two of the most helpful traits a bunch of guys playing music could ask for.  Bobby’s fiancé, Kaela, is always trying to bring new friends and fans to our gigs and does a great job of not being embarrassed by our childish antics.  Lastly, though JP Gerner has decided to take his musical talents in a different direction in 2017, we are immeasurably grateful to have him as our friend and brother.  He was an essential part of our journey’s success this year and we wish him the best!

All of that leads us to 2017.  We have our four newer songs demoed and prepped to take into the studio this spring.  Hopefully that will lead to a full-length release late 2017.  We’re going to play more shows this year.  We’re going to get you more PSMCo. gear to slap on your car and body.  We’re going to write more music for you to enjoy.  We’re going to have a good year.  We'll see you along the way.