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NEWS/BLOG
New Faces of Hotel Carolina – Philly!
April 25, 2013A great showcase for the Hotel Carolina singer/songwriter festival is coming up in Philly, and I’m very excited to be on the bill! I share some more details in this video, and the event banner is below.
If you’re in the Philly area on May 16th, come out and enjoy some tunes! Tickets are on sale now at welcometothehotelcarolina.com
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Recording Update and Pics!
March 2, 2013Hey!
The record’s done. Actually, just the recording part (there’s still a lot of post-production stuff to be done – mixing, mastering, photography, design, manufacturing, etc.), but we’re done playing instruments, singing, hand clapping, stomping, etc., and it feels good. CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO HEAR THIS STUFF!
Got home a few days ago, and I’ve been readjusting to a slightly more normal lifestyle again. Living in the studio is great, but you can definitely get a little stir crazy 
I wanted to share some more shots from the journey…
Dylan making it boom.
Tracking electric.
Yoda overseeing things in the studio.
Vocals!
Buttons!
There’s still a long timeline before it’s ready, and I know the wait is going to drive us crazy. We’re so excited for you to hear this thing!
Talk to you soon, and thanks for supporting and following what we do and giving us a job that we love,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Recording Update and My Man, Kurt Scobie
February 3, 2013Hi All,
Hope you’ve been doing well over the past few weeks! I wanted to drop you a quick line before the Super Bowl begins and I’m lost in a world of spinach artichoke dip and barbecue Fritos. (Don’t worry, I don’t mix the two together.)
Making this new record has been super exciting so far! Every time we hit the studio, I forget how different the experience is from everything else we do. It’s like being in a bubble, and the only other thing in there is music. And maybe frozen food. (For a Christmas present this year, my mom stocked us up with all kinds of casseroles and other frozen meals that she made, so we don’t have to eat only peanut butter and jelly. Pretty awesome mom, if you ask me. Just try some of her hot chicken salad and you’ll know what I mean.)
Anyway, I thought I’d share a few shots from the process so far, and stay tuned for more!
That’s Austin (a really cool assistant we worked with) getting Dylan set up.
Jim and Dylan layin it down.
Our awesome producer, Dustin Burnett, working with Ben on some piano stuff.
Yup, there’s ukulele on this record. (Thanks to Dustin for the pic!)
In other news, I need to give a shout out and big thanks to my good friend, Kurt Scobie. Many of you have heard me sing his praises, and he just continues to stand out as a great musician and a really nice guy. On Friday, he posted a very kind blog about me on his site, just to help spread the word. It really meant a lot, and I wanted to share it and Kurt with you. I hope you’ll check him out. I can never get his songs out of my head (in the good kind of way!):
Kurt Scobie: www.kurtscobie.com
That’s it for now. It’s been weird not playing shows for a while. The guys and I are definitely looking forward to getting back to it. We miss you!
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Remembering the Victims of Hurricane Sandy
January 10, 2013Hi All,
As we move into 2013, let’s remember our friends on the east coast still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. There’s still much to be done. Rock Ridge Music and the very talented Michael Liggett helped us put together this wonderful lyric video as a tribute to the courage of the hurricane victims, and also as a reminder that many still need aid. Please consider helping!
Lyric Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AM_y8nd-fI
American Red Cross:
http://www.redcross.org/hurricane-sandy
World Vision:
http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?item=1753180
Thanks,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Holiday Music Video!!!
December 13, 2012Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaaa…
Hey. Guess what?
Actually, I’ll just tell you…
For the holidays this year, we decided to do a little stop motion video for our “Jingle Bell Mash” tune. CLICK HERE to check it out!
The video was produced by our amazing friend, Joe Ligo of Ambassador Films (who also worked on the video for our song, “Easy”), and we actually recorded this track in my apartment! …with questionable equipment. But it’s just for fun for the holidays.
We really hope you like the song/video, and it would be an amazing Christmas gift to us if you would share this on Facebook, Twitter, email your friends, etc. and spread some good cheer!
Did I mention that I mention a Yeti in this song?
Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for supporting what we do – it’s the best Christmas gift we could ask for.
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Columbus Show moved to Monday, December 10th.
December 3, 2012Hi All -
Just a quick note that the solo acoustic date with Todd Carey in Columbus has been moved to Monday, December 10th, due to a scheduling conflict with the venue/promoter.
Hope you can still be there if you’re in the area, and so sorry for any inconvenience!
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A little bit of news and a lot to be thankful for…
November 21, 2012Friends,
This past year has been a busy one. Lots of ups, lots of downs, lots of driving, lots of shows, lots of obstacles, lots of Fritos, lots of changes. Lots of hope.
I know it’s sentimental and cheesy to say it, but you’re the hope part. The band and I are SO grateful for your support – for coming to shows, listening to our music, spreading the word, buying our junk, reading our blog (yeah – this blog), and staying in the loop. We have this job because you’ve given it to us. Please know that’s not something we’re going to forget. And thank you so much.
We’ve been faced with a lot of challenges in 2012. One of the biggest ones has been keeping the band going amid membership changes. Early in the year, we had to say goodbye to keyboardist and friend, Dan Prokop, as he left to pursue another career, and this fall saw the departure of drummer and longtime member, Ryan Kirk, as he moved to the Baltimore area for a new job. It wasn’t easy saying goodbye to these guys after building friendships and working with them for so long, and it’s always a scary thing when you have to look for a new member.
He’s already played on a few shows, but we haven’t officially announced his joining the group until now. I thought Thanksgiving would be a perfect time to welcome our new drummer, Dylan Kollat. It was a quick search – Dylan impressed us right away. He’s from the Youngstown, OH area, has a formal background in drums/percussion, and he’s one of the nicest guys I know. We’re extremely thankful to have him working with us, and I know you’ll enjoy his fresh perspective/style and contribution to the music.
The whole band was over last night to work through some arrangements for the new songs, and I just couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I was to be there, working with these amazing musicians, living a life like this, making music.
I don’t know who’s reading this right now. Maybe you’re a friend of mine; maybe we’ve never met; maybe you’re here by accident. Whatever the case, thank you. Thanksgiving felt like the right time for this post, but not a day goes by when I don’t feel gratitude.
Doing my best to dish it out.
Happy Thanksgiving,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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December Tour! Probably Near You! I Hope…
November 9, 2012Internet Users,
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. I really hope that all our friends, family, and supporters on the east coast are safe and warm and doing alright.
The time has come to announce a December tour with a great artist, Todd Carey! I’ll be playing (solo acoustic) as support for Todd, as will Honor by August, as we make our way from NYC into the Midwest. We’ll be hitting a few cities I’ve never been to, along with a few that I don’t get to go to very often. It would be so good to see you at one of these shows!
Please take a look and mark your calendars! Full details are up on the tour calendar.
12/6 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2)
12/7 – Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
12/9 – Columbus, OH – Scarlet and Grey Cafe
12/11 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
12/12 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
12/13 – Indianapolis, IN – Birdy’s Bar and Grill
12/15 – Spring Lake, MI – Seven Steps Up
Super excited for this – hope you can make it!
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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KITCHEN CONCERT WEBCAST POSTPONED TO NOV. 5TH @9PM EST
October 25, 2012Friends,
I’m very sorry to have to do this, but I need to postpone tonight’s kitchen concert webcast. I know that some of you planned to take time out of your busy schedules to watch tonight, and it kills me to inconvenience you. I’m really sorry, and I want you to know that I value your time and your support. Here’s why I need to postpone:
Last week, I came down with a sinus infection, and with the help of antibiotics, it went away by the weekend. Unfortunately, I woke up Monday morning and it had come back in full force. I was on the road at that point, and I did my best to sing through shows on Monday and Tuesday, but it took a toll on my vocal chords.
I was hopeful that I’d have my voice back today, but after spending this morning using a vaporizor, hot tea, neti pot, and a million crazy remedies to try and revive myself for tonight, my voice is still struggling. I’ve been back to the doctor, gotten stronger medication, and I expect a full recovery for this weekend’s shows. For now, though, I need to be quiet!
Thank you for understanding. I almost never call in sick, but this time I need to. I hope you can join me on Nov. 5th @9PM EST for the rescheduled kitchen concert.
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Signed to Rock Ridge Music!
September 26, 2012Hi All,
We’re very excited to announce our recent signing with Rock Ridge Music Management! It’s a great team of people with a great roster of artists, and we’re thrilled to be moving forward with them. It will give us more time to focus on the music (and not the business – phew!), help us tour near you more often, and – so excited about this one – help us get things rolling for the NEW RECORD!
Oh yeah, by the way, this is thanks to you guys! The amazing support we’ve been given by all our fans, friends, helpers, etc. is what caught Rock Ridge Music’s attention. Thank you so much for following what we do, spreading the word, and listening to our music. Below is the press release that went out announcing the new partnership.
Excited, grateful, excited, and excited,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JD EICHER & THE GOODNIGHTS SIGN MANAGEMENT DEAL WITH ROCK RIDGE MUSIC
Pittsburgh, PA and Youngstown, OH-based pop-rock band JD Eicher & the Goodnights have signed a management deal with Newark, NJ-based Rock Ridge Music. The band joins other management clients such as Tony Lucca, Brendan James, Todd Carey, and Matt Duke on the Rock Ridge Music roster.
Says Eicher of the new partnership: “We’re really excited to be signing on with such a great management team! Working with RRM will mean more opportunities for the band and more time to focus on the music.”
Says Rock Ridge Music CEO Tom Derr about the signing: “The band has laid an excellent foundation. Now we begin the next level together.”
JD Eicher & the Goodnights have had a very busy summer touring in support of their sophomore release, Shifting (which came out in 2011), performing at a number of festivals and in an opening slot for the Dave Matthews Band. Virgin America Airlines used the band’s song “Level Out” in the teaser for the airline’s upcoming movie, “Departure Date.” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N7DczpEbg4)
Forging their diverse musical backgrounds, JD Eicher (vocals/guitar), Ben Portz (keys), Jim Merhaut (bass), and Ryan Kirk (drums/percussion) combine seasoned songwriting, rich vocals, melodic arrangements, and emphatic delivery to establish their own brand of subtle pop; they were named one of the top 10 unsigned bands of the year in 2011 by Alternative Addiction.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Shifting has “the light, poppy quality of British bands Keane or The Script… but with more detail in the songwriting,” while the Uniontown, PA Herald-Standard praised their “mainstream likability that is both charming and contagious.” Pittsburgh City Paper says of the band’s music: “A kind of gentle innocence pervades, as if not trying to grab you as it passes by, but hoping you’ll be touched.” The Erie Times-News praises JD Eicher & the Goodnights’ “big, open-hearted pop songs with the type of expansive, reach-for-the-sky ambition that graces albums by Coldplay, the Killers and Death Cab for Cutie, among others.”
In addition to the aforementioned Dave Matthews Band, JD Eicher & the Goodnights have shared stages with Coldplay, Hot Chelle Rae, Pete Yorn, Anberlin, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams, Cartel, Matt White, and many more. Upcoming tour dates are listed below; a JD Eicher solo acoustic tour run with Todd Carey is planned for December (all confirmed dates are listed, and more will likely be added with Todd Carey).
JD EICHER & THE GOODNIGHTS TOUR SCHEDULE:
9/21/12 – New Wilmington, PA – Westminster College (JD solo acoustic)
9/22/12 – Youngstown, OH – Science of Brewing @ Oh Wow! Children’s Center for Science and Technology
9/26/12 – Butler, PA / Butler Community College (JD solo acoustic)
9/28/12 – Boardman, OH / Vintage Estates (JD solo acoustic)
9/29/12 – Ebensburg, PA / Ebensburg Potatofest
10/7/12 – Foxburg, PA / Foxburg Art, Food & Wine Festival @ Foxburg Green
10/16/12 – Camden, NJ / Rutgers University (JD solo acoustic)
10/22/12 – Newark, DE / University of Delaware (JD solo acoustic)
10/23/12 – East Stroudsburg, PA / East Stroudsburg University (JD solo acoustic)
10/28/12 – New York, NY / The Living Room
10/31/12 – Austintown, OH / Quaker Steak and Lube (JD solo acoustic)
11/2/12 – Castleton, VT – Castleton State College (JD solo acoustic)
12/6/12 – New York, NY / Rockwood Music Hall (JD solo acoustic; w/Todd Carey)
12/7/12 – Philadelphia, PA / Tin Angel (JD solo acoustic; w/Todd Carey)
12/11/12 – Cleveland, OH / Beachland (JD solo acoustic; w/Todd Carey)
12/12/12 – Chicago, IL / Lincoln Hall (JD solo acoustic; w/Todd Carey)
12/13/12 – Indianapolis, IN / Birdy’s (JD solo acoustic; w/Todd Carey)
www.jdeicherandthegoodnights.com
www.facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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They’re giving us a week!
September 17, 2012Hello Friends,
We were recently informed by Westminster College’s Titan Radio that they’re giving us a week! Yep – this week, in fact. September 17-21 is “JD Eicher & the Goodnights Week” on Titan Radio, and they’ll be playing music from both of our records, giving out shirts and CDs from the band, sharing interview clips, and more, all leading up to an acoustic show on Friday in Westminster’s chapel. Here’s the announcement video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIs0d7AHXGI (“greatest hits” might be a stretch haha)
This is definitely a first for us, and we are VERY honored by this. Westminster College is where the band began (three of us went to school there), and the continued support of the Westminster community has been such a blessing. It might sound cheesy, but Westminster really is family. TRUTH.
To tune in, it’s 88.9FM in New Wilmington or TitanRadio.net on the web (click where it says, “listen here!”). Who knows, maybe you’ll win a shirt or CD!
So grateful for this support,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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New shirts, chosen by YOU!
August 30, 2012Hi All,
Our new shirts are in! A few weeks back, we had our Facebook fans choose the newest t-shirt design, and it’s now available in our online store! Hoodies and necklaces are on sale too!
Get yours here: http://bit.ly/NUfdzH
Also, if you feel like procrastinating today, swing by our Facebook page and click “Photos” to check out a bunch of new shots by our photographer friend, Andrew Jefferis (www.andrewjefferis.com)! Just posted them yesterday.
Hope to see you soon,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Beatles (and thankfully not “beetles”) in the kitchen!
July 8, 2012Hello Internet User,
In honor of summer (my favorite season), I recently sang “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles, in my kitchen. Here’s a video of said performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEjDAQIJ1ro
Lately, I feel like the sun may have gotten a little too enthusiastic, though. This heat is insane!
Hope you have an excellent week,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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“Level Out” News
June 7, 2012Hey All,
In the middle of this busy (but fun) week of shows, I got word of a cool little tidbit: Our song, “Level Out” is being used in the teaser for Virgin America’s new film. Cool stuff! You can check it out here: http://bit.ly/IJOWvT
Also – completely unrelated to the above – Jim Gaffigan is my favorite comedian, and I’ve been on a kick recently (while I probably should have been doing work). This is a funny clip of his about camping, if you’re looking for a pick-me-up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdqIpYhM6PE
Godspeed,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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“Hallelujah” in the Kitchen!
May 23, 2012Yo,
Hoping all is well with you on this beautiful Wednesday afternoon! We’ve had a great couple weeks – there was a tour, we released new music on iTunes, and we even got a little bit of downtime just for livin’. Thanks to everyone who came out to a show, bought the new recordings, and/or helped us spread the word. You’re pretty cool, you know that?
Currently, the band is gearing up for a TON of shows this summer, and we’ve started work on some new original material, too. AND the weather isn’t crap anymore. Life is good.
Anyway… It’s been a while since I sat down in my kitchen and did a “Kitchen Cover,” so I thought I’d cook up a new one. Here’s a rendition of “Hallelujah” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jly80iOiwE
Hope you like the video, and I hope we’ll see you at a show sometime soon! Thanks so much for your support – you’ve given us a really cool job, and we’re super thankful that you lend us your ears!
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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AVAILABLE NOW: Shifting – The Deluxe Edition!
April 24, 2012Hi Friends,
Today is the day! Shifting – The Deluxe Edition is now available on iTunes, and the full, 17-track album is only $4.99 for a limited time!
The Deluxe Edition includes 4 new bonus tracks. One features an awesome rapper friend of ours, BenniB; one is remix of “Love is Gonna Find You” by Crystal Craig; and two are alternate acoustic versions of songs on the original record (one has a particularly special twist).
You can get your copy for only $4.99 (limited time) right here: http://bit.ly/deluxerecord
We really hope you like the new recordings, and please take a moment to post/tweet about them and help us spread the word!
Thanks so much for supporting the music!
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Eich, Ike, & Scobie: (small) World Tour!
April 9, 2012Hi Friends,
Guess what??? There’s an acoustic tour coming up: “Eich, Ike, & Scobie: (small) World Tour!” I’m going to be hitting a bunch of cities with two very good friends of mine, Joy Ike and Kurt Scobie, starting at the end of this month! They’re awesome singer/songwriters, and you should definitely check them out! We’re going to be playing songs, telling stories, and just having a good time. The dates/locations are below, and the full details are available on the tour calendar. I really hope you can make it! Good times to be had!
4/27 – Harrisburg, PA – Midtown Scholar
4/28 – Lancaster, PA – LAUNCH Music Conference @Mosaic
4/29 – Private house concert
4/30 – Boston (Cambridge), MA – All Asia
5/1 – Springfield, MA – Bing Arts Center
5/2 – New York, NY – The Living Room
5/3 – Philadelphia (Ardmore), PA – Milkboy
5/4 – Washington, DC – Ebenezer’s
5/5 – Pittsburgh, PA (with the Goodnights!) – Club Cafe
Full details: www.jdeicherandthegoodnights.com/shows.html
Hope to see you soon!
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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New Band Member and New Music On the Way!
April 5, 2012Hi All,
I’m gonna get right to it. Lots to share:
We’ve just recently had a change in our line-up. Our keyboardist, Dan Prokop, has left the band in order to allow more focus and attention on his other career. Dan is a great friend, and we’re super thankful for his hilarious sense of humor and excellent contributions to the band’s musical arrangements during his time with us. We’re gonna miss him!
Entering the band on keys is our longtime friend, Ben Portz. He’s a great musician, a cool guy, and he has facial hair kind of like Dan’s, so we figured that would help make the transition as smooth as possible. It will be a little while before Ben starts showing up in pictures, but he actually stars in our music video for “Feel the Rain,” so check it out if you’re curious about this new mystery man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiqNqi4RX5Y
In other news, it’s time to announce that we have new music on the way: Shifting – The Deluxe Edition will be released on April 24th! In February, a fruitful trip to Nashville yielded some special acoustic tracks and “surprise” tracks that we think you’re really going to enjoy. It’s a digital release of our latest record, Shifting, including 4 bonus tracks. Mark your calendars!
More soon,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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New Tour Dates and New Music Video!
January 14, 2012Hi All,
Hoping that the new year is treating you well so far! We have some exciting things going on in 2012, including tour dates in new cities, a new music video, and even a little trip to Nashville for some top secret recording! And that’s just the next few months. Can’t wait!
If you haven’t gotten a chance yet, please check out the new music video for our song, “Easy”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51RMBGCkONk
Westminster College students, Andrea Tice and Joe Ligo, wrote, directed, and produced it for a class project, and they had a $0 budget! It features stop-motion animation, a green paper mache dinosaur, and a strange series of events for a dull office building. We think they did a really great job, and we were honored that they asked us to be a part of their project.
We also have a bunch of shows coming up, including dates in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, Columbus, and more. Here’s the tour calendar: http://jdeicherandthegoodnights.com/shows.html
If you live in any of these places (or have friends there who might be interested in coming), it’d be great to see you at a show! I have solo acoustic gigs in Chicago and Cincinnati, and I’ve never been to either, so I’m hoping I’ll get lucky and see some friendly faces.
Not a day goes by that we don’t feel lucky to have your support. Thanks for reading, and thanks for listening!
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Jingle Bell Mash
December 19, 2011Hi Friends,
I hope you have been having a wonderful holiday season! This year’s holiday shows have been a blast. We were glad to have an opportunity to showcase our ugly Christmas sweaters and put together our first Christmas song, “Jingle Bell Mash.” Here’s a video of us performing it at one of the shows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deNOvQrh5S8
Some other holiday stuff:
1. We’re having a sale at our online store! Through Christmas, CDs are BUY 1, GET 1 FREE! And we now have hoodies and necklaces. Please do check it out and consider us for a little last-minute shopping: http://jdeicherandthegoodnights.bigcartel.com/
2. We teamed up with some musical friends of ours to give away FREE music for the holidays! It’s called A Merry Mixtape, and you can download your copy right here: www.noisetrade.com/amerrymixtape. We didn’t have recording in the budget for a Christmas tune this year, so we included our song, “Wooden Shelves,” from our first record. It’s a song about humility, and we felt it would be especially suitable for this time of year. There’s no obligation to donate, but it is an option, and all donations go straight to Operation Christmas Child (more info on the site). Hope you like our song and the songs by our friends, Kurt Scobie, Joy Ike, Brooke Annibale, Maura Jenson, and Hiram Ring!
3. If you’ve been following my “Kitchen Covers” series on Youtube, you may have seen this already, but – if not – here’s a cover of “Let it Snow!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-LCUnLXQsE
That’s everything. I truly hope you have a wonderful holiday. The fact that you’re here, taking an interest, reading my scatter-brained blogs, makes my holiday all the warmer!
Fa la la la la la la la la,
JD
facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Yes. I’m in a hip hop song.
November 2, 2011Hello Friends,
We knew it was inevitable – I’m now featured in a hip hop song. If you listen to JD Eicher & the Goodnights, then I’m sure you hear my natural tendency toward the genre.
If you know I can be a little sarcastic sometimes, then I’m sure you know I’m kidding.
Nonetheless, I’m in a hip hop song, and I thought you might want to know.
This summer, the manager of Seattle-based artist, BenniB, contacted me about collaborating with Ben on his new record – he’d write the verses, I’d write the chorus. I was obviously a little hesitant, since I haven’t written much hip hop, but I thought it might be a cool way to cross genres and try something new. I love all kinds of music, so I figured it might be fun.
It was such an interesting process writing and recording for this song. BenniB and I were never in the studio at the same time, and we just worked from the pieces that we had. I was excited to hear how it turned out.
You can now stream and download BenniB’s new album for FREE, which includes the track, “Won’t Stop (Feat. JD Eicher)” – check it out here:
http://www.datpiff.com/BenniB-Journal-Of-A-Journey-mixtape.279131.html
I know it’s a little different, but I thought you might get a kick out of it. It was a really fun experience. BenniB is great at what he does, and the team behind this record was killer.
Hope you dig it!
I be out,
JD
www.twitter.com/jdeicher
www.youtube.com/jdeicher
www.facebook.com/jdeicherandthegoodnights
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Islands on the Run
October 29, 20111:08 a.m.
It’s not always dark when you get there, but it’s always dark when you leave. Tonight, sheets of rain collide with the pavement, adding particular menace to an already cold, dark night.
Last one out. Like usual. You drag your gear to the car, and your back muscles flex reluctantly as you heave a box into the trunk. Another fastener on the handle snaps. Great.
Last trip. Heavy breaths. The stupid mic stand won’t fit in the trunk. It always fits this way – why not tonight? Throw it in the passenger seat with the mixer and get on the road.
Club shows are so draining – long sets long after you’d have normally gone to bed. Then there’s loading out and driving home. Or wherever you’re going.
Tonight, home is a hotel somewhere between here and tomorrow morning’s college gig near Philly, and you hit the highway, figuring you can cover some good ground. At this time of night, traffic flows. It’s just you and the trucks. Islands on the run.
Your ears ring from a night in front of speakers, but you need music to drive, and it’s a combination of the Beatles’ harmonies and the occasional squawk of the GPS that keeps you awake as you fly across PA. God. The harsh sound of that GPS has probably saved your life on a couple of nights, jolting you back from small slips toward sleep.
Ears on the speakers, eyes on the pavement, mind wandering. Your eyes burn, your voice hurts, and your nose can smell the bar smoke that clings to everything.
How much more have got in you?
Will you reach enough ears to keep it going?
Will the songs keep coming to you?
The bills will.
1:50 a.m.
Things felt pretty good tonight, thank God. You drank extra water so the voice was there. Wasn’t the best it’s been, but you had the headroom for the high notes. People seemed to like the new song, too, so that’s good. Yeah, it was worth it. You connected. Maybe they’ll come again. Maybe they’ll tell their friends. It’ll make a difference.
You remember why you do this.
2:43 a.m.
Eyes have begun their coup, and they demand sleep. Their lids gain weight by the minute. Open the windows. The air howls too loudly. Shut yourself in again and grab the water bottle. Twist the cap, pour some into a cupped hand and splash your eyes. The water hits hard and works – might keep you up long enough to find that hotel.
2:57 a.m.
Score. You see the sign off to the left of the highway. A Super 8 – “Rooms from $42.99.” Take the exit, ring the bell at the hotel. You can see her from the counter – head down, asleep at a desk in the tiny back room.
“One adult, non-smoking.”
“Yeah,” she says.
Two minutes later, you’ve found your suite and parked outside. Dig around for the essentials (phone, tour sheets, water bottle, half a bag of Fritos), slip the key into the door, and you’re in. Lift the mattress and check half-heartedly for bedbugs. Lose the shoes. Get in bed.
Tomorrow you’ve got to be moving by 7 a.m. to make the next gig. Gross, but this is what you do. This is who you are.
Just keep going.
Isn’t that the mantra? Isn’t that what we all do? Everybody is moving. Everybody is doing her or his best. Pay it forward. Dig in a little bit.
Maybe we’re just islands on the run. Maybe it never changes.
We’ll know when we get there.
3:14 a.m.
You give in and let your eyelids have their way. They’ve got a big day tomorrow.
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I don’t just cook in my kitchen…
September 14, 2011…In fact, I barely cook in my kitchen. But I have found myself playing a healthy bit of guitar at the kitchen table lately, and it sparked an idea.
A long time ago, I started a video series on our Youtube page called, “Acoustic Chronicles” (I have a disorder that forces me to come up with dumb names for everything.). Basically, I just recorded video of acoustic gigs and posted them. I didn’t really keep up with it, though, because something would go wrong each time (bad sound quality, someone would sit in front of the camera, etc.), and I eventually stopped doing it.
But, sitting in my kitchen recently, I came up with the idea for a new set of acoustic videos…[dramatic pause]… “Kitchen Covers!” (Again – the dumb name problem.) As tempting as it was, I decided not to spell “Covers” with a “K.” I respect you too much.
Basically, it’s just me at my kitchen table sharing some of my favorite songs, old and new, and I’ll be posting them sporadically to our Youtube page. The first one is “Blackbird” by The Beatles. I figured it best to start where it all began. I hope you enjoy it, and stay tuned for more covers to come!
Finally cooking something in my kitchen,
JD
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Something We All Need to See
August 17, 2011Hey All,
It’s a hot August day, and I’m sitting out on my porch, melting a little bit, because it’s the only place where I get consistent cell phone service. I’ve been on hold trying to get the band’s money back from a company that accidentally doubled charged us, and my call has already dropped twice. AHHHHHH. Where am I going to make calls when it starts getting cold?
Anyway, while I listen to smooth jazz over the phone and get sunburned, I thought I’d whip up a quick blog and share a video that I think is really important for all of us to see.
This video, by Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, is eye-opening about the way our government spends money, and it’s incredibly easy to understand. Who knew Oreos could be so political???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9kXPTwIO08
I checked out http://truemajority.com, and took a minute to enter my email address. Now I’ll at least be in the know about opportunities to push our government toward more equitable spending. It’s CRAZY to think about how little (relatively speaking) it would take to make such a tremendous change. Isn’t that change the kind of thing America is supposed to be all about?
I’m still on hold,
JD
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NEW MUSIC VIDEO – “Feel the Rain”
July 14, 2011Hi Friends,
July has been great so far! We got to play several festivals and events where we could reach new ears and make new connections, and it’s a great feeling to know that the music is getting out there. Festival food is also great. We had some deep-fried Oreos last weekend, and I’m still thinking about them. They were good. GOOD.
AND! And we have a new music video.
I wrote “Love is Gonna Find You” and “Feel the Rain” pretty close together, and I always felt like they were two sides of a story – like they were “partner songs,” if you will. Thanks to some hard video production work by our friend, Steve Vargo, we give you both sides of the story:
“Love is Gonna Find You” (Official Video)
NEW! “Feel the Rain” (Official Video)
We’re really excited about this, and we hope you’ll help us spread the word by posting and tweeting the new video!
Hope you like!
JD
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World Vision
June 27, 2011Hey Everybody,
I feel like summer always moves too quickly. Maybe because it’s my favorite season. I’ve already got anxiety about July. I don’t want it to come and go like June did.
Anyway, I hope all is well with each of you. I wanted to touch base with a blog/update about World Vision.
As many of you know, JD Eicher & the Goodnights have been an Artist Associate with World Vision since we formed, and we’ve accepted donations at our booth (in return for JD Eicher & the Goodnights buttons) and provided materials about the organization and its programs. We’ve just recently begun working with World Vision on a new program called The Human Wrong Initiative.
Human trafficking is a worldwide problem, and it doesn’t get enough attention. The Human Wrong Initiative is a movement geared toward helping the millions of children who are enslaved and forced into labor, sexually exploited, and turned into soldiers. For $10 a month, we can help fund centers that offer shelter, food, healthcare, trauma counseling, skills training, job placement, prevention programs, and more. These are recovery centers that help these children get back on track.
I encourage you to consider becoming a “Child Crisis Partner.” You can learn more here, and you can sign up here or at our merch booth at shows. We have all of the necessary materials on hand, and when you decide to donate, you get a handmade bracelet as a thank you gift. Your pledge can be set up so that your credit card is automatically charged once a month, which makes donating really easy.
When we were first looking for an organization to team up with, World Vision stood out right away. They’re in almost 100 countries helping any person suffering from poverty and/or oppression. And it’s a legitimate organization that is open about its financials – 85% of their proceeds go directly into their programs. You can learn more about World Vision here.
I’m an independent musician. Money is not abundant for me. But life is good. I just became a Child Crisis Partner. Think about becoming one too. Let’s help.
Thanks and love,
JD
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Superstition!
May 28, 2011hi all,
i’m always fighting the urge to indulge in superstitions. i’m actually kind of superstitious about it
here’s a live video of us covering “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder for the encore at our Hard Rock CD release show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZRetIcnlYI
hope you like it! the band is so grateful to have such awesome people supporting what we do. hoping to see you all out at a show again soon
peace,
jd
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We Have a Winner!
May 8, 2011hi all,
just a quick announcement… Haley Ostendorf is the winner of the signed ukulele and t-shirt. thank you so much to everyone who participated in sharing the news about our iTunes release – we wish we had 100 ukuleles to give out
congrats to Haley and thanks to all of you! please continue to spread the word – we can really use your help getting the music out there!
jd
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New CD on iTunes! Win a ukulele!
May 3, 2011hello friends,
today is an exciting day for the band – our album is now available on iTunes! you can get it now at this link: http://bit.ly/kNt8jH
i really hope you like it, and i hope you’ll help us spread the word! every time you post the album’s iTunes link (http://bit.ly/kNt8jH) AND tag us on Twitter (@jdeicher) or Facebook (@jd eicher & the goodnights) this week, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a signed ukulele and a t-shirt from the band! it’s kind of a crazy idea, but we thought we should come up with something for all of the people who help us get the music out there. we’ll draw the name on Sunday (5/8/11), so posts through Saturday at midnight will count.
last week’s release shows were so much fun – thank you to everyone who came out! it meant a lot to have you there
until next time,
jd
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NEW MUSIC VIDEO!
April 28, 2011hi all,
this has been a great week! the Post-Gazette ran this article about our new record: http://bit.ly/jtkNGh, our song, “Crazy” was played in the stadium during the Pirates game, and we have two very fun shows planned – one tonight in Youngstown and one tomorrow in Pittsburgh!
oh yeah – AND our new music video for the song, “Love is Gonna Find You,” just went live at this link: http://bit.ly/kBlhNF — Please help us spread the word!
we are so excited about all of this stuff, and it’s really encouraging thank you so much for being a part of it. your support is the reason we can do any of it!
Hope to see you at tonight or tomorrow’s show!
jd
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PREVIEW VIDEO FOR “SHIFTING”
April 21, 2011hi all,
here’s what’s happening:
-we have a NEW CD coming out in one week, and you can preview it RIGHT NOW here: http://bit.ly/i7n0vc
-advanced tickets for the Pittsburgh Hard Rock release show on the 29th are still available! you can order them until Monday, April 25th at 10 a.m. right here: http://bit.ly/hHV9r6.
you won’t want to miss this show! it’s starts at 9:30 p.m. with Christine Blackburn’s live “Story Worthy” podcast, featuring DVE’s Jimmy Krenn, and then we’ll hit the stage!
here’s the timeline for the next week:
-Monday, 4/25: Hard Rock pre-sale ticket sales go offline at 10 a.m.
-Tuesday, 4/26: our new song, “Crazy,” will be played in the stadium at the Pittsburgh Pirates game.
-Wednesday, 4/27: stop by www.youtube.com/jdeicher to see our new music video!
-Thursday, 4/28: Youngstown CD Release Show (7 p.m. at the Ursuline Center)
-Friday, 4/29: live, full band performance on the DVE Morning Show (9:10 a.m.) and Pittsburgh CD Release Show at the Hard Rock (9:30 p.m.)
-Saturday/Sunday: we’ll probably be sleeping
-Tuesday, 5/3: the new record drops on iTunes and Amazon!
we are SO excited to share all this new stuff with you, and it means so much that you’re a part of it. thank you for supporting us – hope to see you next week!
jd
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NEW SONG – TWO WEEKS BACK
April 2, 2011hi everybody,
in the two weeks since my last post, i’ve been all over the place playing acoustic college shows in CT, NH, VT, IL, and PA. it was a fun adventure, and i got to meet some really cool people along the way. thanks to everyone who came out and gave a listen! i’m learning to love driving, too. i have to, you know.
we’re very excited to share our first single from the new album with you! our good friend, Cole, made this video for its release:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh3dWJFtriQ
you can also hear the full song right now at:http://listn.to/jdeicherandthegoodnights
we hope you like it, and we hope you’re planning to attend one of our cd release shows later this month! check out our tour calendar for details.
until next time,
jd
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NEW RECORD, NEW SITE, NEW BEGINNINGS
March 14, 2011hello listeners, supporters, and friends,
the past several months have been an absolute whirlwind of activity for the band. we’ve been busy with recording, video and photo shoots, and performing all over the east coast. lots of hours of driving, hard work, and logistics, but things are coming together!
if you’re reading this on our new site, welcome! if not, you should really check out the new, www.jdeicherandthegoodnights.com! we’re hoping the new site makes it easier for you to keep in touch with the band.
we are so excited to announce that our BRAND NEW RECORD, Shifting, will be coming out at the end of April. it will first be available at our Pittsburgh and Youngstown Area CD release shows:
4/28 - FULL BAND CD RELEASE PARTY at The Ursuline Center, Canfield, OH – ALL AGES!
4/29 - FULL BAND CD RELEASE w/TV Personality, Christine Blackburn at The Hard Rock Cafe, Pittsburgh – ALL AGES!
these are going to be very unique shows – you really, really, don’t want to miss out. plus, we’ll be selling the album at a special introductory price.
i.am.so.excited.for.you.to.hear.this.new.music! be sure to stay tuned and stay in touch! you can follow us on twitter, facebook, youtube, and subscribe to our newsletter (click here to sign up!). lots of surprises are on the way!
true gratitude for your constant support,
jd
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