Check out this upbeat, stirring song from Midnight North. ‘Back to California’ has an immediate impact, compelling from the first jangling notes to the last. The song is busy with musical layers, arranged masterfully; it’s rich, full and absorbing stuff that will have you smiling and dancing along to timeless sounds and rhythms.
Midnight North began as a collaboration between songwriters Grahame Lesh and Eliott Peck. The band and their latest album, ‘Diamonds in the Zodiac’, have a rich musical heritage spanning two generations of musical talent. Graheme’s father, Phil Lesh of Grateful Dead, appears on three of the songs, including supplying vocals on ‘Back to California’. Additionally, the album was produced by Amy Helm, daughter of Levon Helm from The Band. Grahame Lesh explains the connection with Amy Helm: “Things have come full circle in that it was meeting Amy and Levon Helm at a Ramble in the Barn that inspired my parents to open Terrapin Crossroads, and having Terrapin was so instrumental in the band’s development. And now Amy produced this album and shepherded these songs to their ultimate form. ‘Diamonds in the Zodiac’ feels even more like Midnight North to me than anything we’ve done in the past. Amy Helm, as our producer, really guided us into the best of ourselves musically, and I think these are some of the best songs that we’ve written so far. We hope you listeners agree that we succeeded and that you enjoy each and every note!”
Peck says of the new record: “This record truly showcases the many musical influences that live inside each of us. It was a novel approach for us to bring in a producer – Amy Helm – who we all respect tremendously as an artist. We hope these new songs and recordings will carry that tradition forward and be enjoyed by many generations to come!”
In celebration of the new record, the band have a series of dates in the US – check out the details here. In the meantime, check out the new album, starting here with a song that is a joy to immerse yourself in.
