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Join us in welcoming Midnight North feat. Grahame Lesh for their debut at Lark Hall on Thursday June 25th. Doors 7 / Show 8.
Midnight North
“Wanderer shine on high/Brightest star in the midnight sky/Swing down low, the night so black/Ace of diamonds in the zodiac” — "Jupiter" (lyrics by Robert Hunter).
Midnight North takes its cue from the fertile Bay Area music scene. Formed in early 2012 by singer/songwriters Grahame Lesh and Elliott Peck, whose harmonies came as naturally as the initial songs, along with bassist Connor O’Sullivan. The band’s current lineup was completed when drummer/banjo player Nathan Graham joined after a chance meeting at a benefit concert in Philadelphia in 2016. The group grew thanks in part to an association with Lesh’s family venue, Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, California.
Diamonds in the Zodiac, on the Americana Vibes label, is Midnight North’s fifth studio album (along with three live discs). It continues the musical direction of 2021’s There’s Always a Story. The title comes from unearthed Robert Hunter lyrics for “Jupiter,” one of two extended tracks on the album — the other is Grahame’s opener “Questions.” Other than those two, Diamonds is increasingly song-oriented and steeped in bluegrass, country, soul, blues, funk, jazz and gospel.
The album was produced by Amy Helm and features Grahame’s dad Phil and brother Brian. Diamonds was mixed by D. James Goodwin. Micah Nelson (Particle Kid) created the album cover artwork using acrylic paint mixed with floetrol poured on wood. It was recorded at Dave Schools’ (Widespread Panic) Spacecamp in Occidental, California, and the 10 tracks reflect a collaborative effort with many friends and contributors, including Phil & Brian Lesh, Jason Crosby, and TJ Kanczuzewski.
Song notes and comments from the band:
- Grahame says he took cues for “Questions” from listening to the audiobook of Jeff Tweedy’s How to Write One Song; Elliott recommended it during the pandemic.
- Elliott based the piano-driven single “The Colors Here” (which features Phil Lesh on bass, Jason Crosby on violin, and Amy Helm on harmony vocals) on memories of tornadoes in her Midwest Chicago childhood and The Wizard of Oz. "It’s all about how suffering through a major tragedy can open the door to your salvation," Elliott explains. "There’s always hope."
- Grahame acknowledges the influence of Grateful Dead albums like Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty on “Back to California,” which features backing vocals from the full ensemble of studio contributors. The song first appeared in a different form on Under the Lights.
- Nathan’s “Walk the Runway” tells a story about falling in love with a bartender at an unnamed New York haunt.
- “Old Country,” written by Brian Lesh and featuring his harmony vocals and mandolin, is a folk song with Nathan and Connor’s driving country groove.
Good to know:
- Duration: 3 hours 59 minutes
- Under 18 with parent or legal guardian
- In person
- Free parking
- Doors at 7 PM
Refund Policy: No refunds.