What the hell happened to The Aches?
That’s a question I’ve been faced with by a person or two recently, and I’ll be honest- it’s nice to feel missed!
We were, after all, one of the rising bands here in Nashville, playing both clubs on the East side and showcases on the West in addition to select festivals.
We were good, of that I am certain. Every room we played, we owned.
I made sure of that we did by using the three voices I had to drown out everyone else. And yes…it is cheating to bring a vocal trio to a showcase. Singer-songwriters sound like shit when placed next to a well rehearsed band, even if that band is acoustic. I think it was one of my more brilliant tactical choices.
Like many other bands, Covid-19 wasn’t kind to us. But the truth is that we were on our way to taking a break in the weeks leading up to the shutdown.
Two of my members had personal issues that needed to be dealt with immediately. One of my guys stepped down and played his last show with us in February of 2020.
But the rest of the guys just went on hiatus when the shutdown began. My guitarist Sam had to address some lingering health issues. Matt, my drummer, Owen, my engineer, and I kept recording songs which eventually evolved into REYN, the project I am about to release.
Over the last few months, the Aches have been creeping back into my psyche. Old videos would pop up. Friends from East Nashville would ask about the band. My wife would directly tell me that I needed to start working with that project again….you know- subtle things.
I sat down with Sam and Matt individually and asked if they were still in- they were. I was surprised.
Funny enough- JRA’s original producer, Josh Reynolds of Little Big Town, sent me a message out of the blue saying he had listened to our back catalogue and felt it really held up. I asked if he wanted to take another crack at it.
He already had ideas for the studio he wanted us to use.
I thought this was a chapter that was largely over in my life, but here I am picking up right where I left off.
Hold on to something steady…
Jon, your musical talent is truly remarkable. Yet, there's a depth of expression and truth that I believe you haven't fully tapped into yet. You haven't had too perhaps. While your creativity and effort is evident, there's also beauty in spontaneity and the ability to adapt and evolve. Your skills as a singer and guitarist are undeniable, but who are you beyond those talents as a thinker and writer? Think about finding your most sincere and confident voice as a person, then you will be free from constraints except for the pursuit of catchy music.
Timeless values of unity, love, and honesty matter more. While it's essential to acknowledge contemporary norms, they shouldn't overshadow your connection to deeper truths in nature and wisdom. You must seek understanding and resolution, for they are crucial for both free expression and artistic creation. Issues like hate speech, censorship or diluted spirituality can disrupt the harmony of our souls and minds.
Change is inevitable and knowing when to embrace it or replace it can lead to exponential growth in learning or unlearning. By nurturing more profound connections in all aspects of truth, you could create music that resonates with others. Authenticity speak volumes, but understanding people is the volume control.