Jeremy Van Cleave’s first solo EP, Well Now!, is a collection of songs that take stock of where he has been and set an exciting new direction. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, with tenures in The Bridgebuilders and Air Traffic Controller, Jeremy steps to center stage with songs that evoke universal feelings of love and fear, loss and joy.
Jeremy has been surrounded by music from his childhood. His mother is a folk dance teacher, leading traditional folk dances in Boston; as a child, Jeremy would attend the dances, falling asleep under the piano when it got late. At age seven, he started playing fiddle, absorbing sounds and rhythms from all over the world. “Everything changed in high school,” Jeremy says, “when we got a piano. It’s tough to really explore chord structures and play more popular music on the fiddle, so learning piano was a gateway.” Soon after that, Jeremy expanded his repertoire to include the mandolin and guitar.
Jeremy’s experiences in The Bridgebuilders and Air Traffic Controller have been formative as a performer and songwriter. “The Bridgebuilders taught me how to crank things up and have six guys going all out. ATC taught me how to deliver for the audience night in and night out, doing the little things that no one ever sees.” With Well Know!, Jeremy focused on stripping out everything extra and making space for the lyrics and melodies. A former teacher’s words stayed with him as he crafted each song: “You have to be brave enough to know when not to play.”
With lyrics that evoke rather than narrate, each song allows listeners to find their own entry point to the feelings. “The focus each day in the studio was making honest songs,” Jeremy says. “I feel so honored the musicians on this record gave their time and believed in these songs.” Jeremy is joined on Well Now! by Michael Vitale (Body English) on violin, Seth Kasper (Mass Gothic) on drums, and Dylan Sullivan (As The Sparrow) on bass. Will Holland engineered Well Now! at his Chillhouse Studios in Charlestown, MA.
Listen to Well Now! and contact Jeremy for booking at
vancleave.jeremy@gmail.com
Credit: Ken Templeton, November 2016
released December 6, 2016
Jeremy Van Cleave: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Michael Vitale: Violin
Dylan Sullivan: Electric Bass
Seth Kasper: Drum Set
Will Holland: Electric Guitar
Recorded June, 2016 at Chillhouse Studios in Charlestown, MA
Engineered by Will Holland
Mixed & Mastered by Will Holland
Photo Credit: Sam Swan
Artwork by: Clint Chadsey
Artwork Design: Phoebe Poravas
