Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train), Neal Morse (Transatlantic, NMB) & Ross Jennings (Haken, Novena) return with their ‘Sophomore’ album out today, continuing their exploration of more acoustic-led music and three-part vocal harmonies. To celebrate, the band have launched a live session video for the track ‘The Weary One’, recorded at Neal’s studio earlier this year.
‘Sophomore’
is available on Limited CD Edition (incl. 2 bonus tracks), Ltd Gatefold
Transparent Red LP, Ltd Gatefold Transparent Blue LP & as Digital Album.
Order now here: https://dvirgiliomorsejennings.lnk.to/Sophomore
The
band comment of the album release:
Ross Jennings: "I'm so glad the three of us got to do this again and I couldn't be happier with how our 'Sophomore' record successfully continues to expand upon what we set out to achieve with 'Troika'."
Neal Morse: “It’s release day for DMJ album number 2! If you enjoyed the first one, there’s lots more for you to dive into in album number two. We’ve combined the vocals - which is what this band is all about - with many diverse musical styles. And all the guys brought their songwriting A game to this one. I can’t wait for you all to hear it!”
Nick
D’Virgilio: “I love record release day! It's always very exciting
knowing that the thing you worked so hard to create can now be shared with the
whole world. Although "worked so hard" are not really the right words
to use. It was a total "labor of love" creating Sophomore with Ross
and Neal. Those are the right words. I hope you enjoy the music as much as we
did making it!”
Watch
the previously released clip for ‘Anywhere The Wind Blows’ here: https://youtu.be/NSLKOQ-JPMs
Watch
the previously released clip for ‘Tiny Little Fires’ here: https://youtu.be/RyW0iMu-_lU?si=EtYUxZqqUuuL8UIk
1. Hard
To Be Easy
2. Linger
At The Edge Of My Memory
3. Tiny
Little Fires
4. Right
Where You Should Be
5. The
Weary One
6. Mama
7. I’m
Not Afraid
8. Weighs
Me Down
9. Walking
On Water
10. Anywhere
The Wind Blows
11. Right
Where You Should be (Alternative Version)*
12. The
Weary One (Alternative Version)*
*CD
bonus tracks
The
three musicians began trading song ideas in late 2022, before choosing 10 of
those to record in January 2023. “I think there was always a plan in the back
of everybody's minds about doing a second one. We just got the conversation
started and then started checking out some tunes. There were a lot of songs
that were a little less fleshed out than with the first album, but once we got
the ball rolling, it kind of went really fast”, says Nick D’Virgilio.
For
the three members, this group serves as something different for all of them.
Morse explains, “I've never been part of a group that was like this one. Most
people know I'm a big CSN fan and I love Yes’s three-part harmonies and The
Beatles as well. My dad was a choir director, so harmonies are in my blood! DMJ
is a special group that is its own unique cup of tea and has such a nice
flavor. Great blend. The main thing for me is to be working on good songs; it
doesn't matter to me who writes them or necessarily that much about styles. If
the songs are good, then I'm all about it.”
Jennings
agrees, “I'm a huge fan of country and folk music, I love the three-part
harmony style. As a vocalist known for progressive metal releases, prior to
forming the band I could never have predicted that I'd be considered to be part
of a group making music like this. It's still mind-blowing to me since I'd
never officially recorded and released any music of this genre to prove that I
can do it. Making these records with Nick and Neal has been such a pleasant and
rewarding experience. It's funny how things work out sometimes!”
D’VIRGILIO, MORSE & JENNINGS Online:
https://www.facebook.com/ndvofficial/
https://www.nickdvirgilio.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ndvirgilio/
https://www.facebook.com/nealmorse/
https://www.instagram.com/neal_morse_official/
https://www.instagram.com/rossjenningsofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/rossjenningsofficial
https://twitter.com/RossWJennings
INSIDEOUTMUSIC
Online:
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