John Courage

The people I play shows with are some of the best I’ve ever known. Not just on stage, but in the endless in-between moments. In some ways, that’s the whole point—flying down the highway, getting lost in conversations that mean everything and nothing at all. We’re finishing some new music now, and we’ll be playing shows on the West Coast next October, along with a few East Coast dates. I can’t wait to do it all again!

Join us as we close out a memorable @jazzfest at @chickiewahwahnola tonight 8pm - tix link in bio here

Another @mattpondpa tour and recording session for the books! Despite having a cursed rental car, i had such a fun time playing songs across the east coast with John and Matt, and getting to hear @danmanganmusic melt hearts every night! I learned that I can hold my breath for a minute (thanks wimhoff), that Im finally starting to like steely Dan after all these years and love yes the band. Ending the run by recording a new Matt Pond PA album was the cherry on top! @petecaigan at Bearsville studio is simply the best!

We threw ourselves into a few all-consuming, amazing days at Utopia Studios. It’s an honor to work with such talented musicians and engineers. When the dust settles, I can’t wait to share what we’ve been making. @utopiastudiosbearsville

April 22 @BabysAllRight , it was great to see New Hampshire/Philadelphia, PA-originated, Hudson Valley, NY-based singer-songwriter @MattPondPA for the first time since 2002 (when he was on tour with @TheNewPornographers & @TheFramesOfficial ), this time on tour opening for his longtime friend @DanManganMusic , and, with @TheRealJohnCourage 🎸 & @BathtubCig cello/🎤, playing exquisite versions of intricately-crafted songs from throughout his career, including some that were written when he was living in a small Brooklyn apartment with roommates not far from the venue in the mid-2000s, and a cool cover of Oasis' “Champagne Supernova” that he recorded for mid-’00s teen TV show The OC. Setlist: So Much Trouble Halloween Brooklyn Stars Several Arrows Later New Hampshire Specks Closer Love to Get Used (see earlier post for an extended clip) Champagne Supernova (@Oasis cover) After Matt Pond PA’s excellent set, it was a pleasure to see for the first time Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada singer-songwriter @DanManganMusic play a captivating solo acoustic set of poetic and subtle Nick Drake-influenced folkish songs, including the hummable “Melody”, the anti-depression ballad “In Your Corner (For Scott Hutchinson)” dedicated to the late Scottish singer-songwriter @FRabbits , and a venture into the center of the crowd for fully unamplified singalongs on “Robots” and “So Much for Everyone” with Pond, Courage, and James. Fully indie artist Mangan also builds strong connections with audience, giving out his mobile number to later share an audio recording of the show with them (scan the QR code in the last 📸 to get on his mailing list). Setlist included: It Might Be Raining Melody Peaks & Valleys Road Regrets In Your Corner (For Scott Hutchison) Goodbye America (unreleased) You Silly Git Basket Robots  So Much for Everyone  I Have Won The War Already (unreleased; see earlier post for an extended clip) #GoodMusic #MattPondPA #DanMangan #IndieRock #AcousticGuitar cello

We’re circling around the northeast right now, surrounded by bright yellow forsythia, while red and green buds on the trees get bigger and bigger. I’m grateful for these audiences. I’m grateful for my bandmates. There’s an unavoidable disorientation to all of this—a constant motion, new rooms, new nights—that keeps you in the present. I’m grateful for that, too.

@BabysAllRight great to see New Hampshire/Philadelphia, PA-originated, Hudson Valley, NY-based singer-songwriter @MattPondPA for the first time since 2002 (when he was on tour with @TheNewPornographers & @TheFramesOfficial ), this time on tour opening for his longtime friend @DanManganMusic , and, with @TheRealJohnCourage 🎸 & @BathtubCig cello/🎤, playing exquisite versions of songs from throughout his career, including some that were written when he was living in a small Brooklyn apartment with roommates not far from the venue in the mid-2000s. Here's an extended clip of banger "Love to Get Used" from 2013 LP The Lives Inside the Lines in Your Hand. #GoodMusic #MattPondPA #IndieRock #AcousticGuitar #cello

I wrote Brooklyn Stars in Greenpoint, one mile from where we’re playing tonight. Can’t wait to see you @babysallright !

Playing shows and traveling with people I admire—who are wildly talented and won’t stop making fun of me—somehow is the dream. Boston tonight!

Spaceland is about the first time we played in LA. We’d made it all the way across the country, surviving blizzards, bad motels and wild bars. We thought we had reached the promised land, and even if it was just another show at a venue with a glassed-off smoking room in the back, it still felt like we’d arrived. It’s a dream we keep chasing. Shows this week! 4/21 Boston MA * 4/22 Brooklyn NY * 4/23 Providence RI * 4/24 Manchester VT * 4/25 Southbury CT w/ @danmanganmusic

Last year, I had the privilege of photographing a guy with a cooler name than me and much, much better hair. This year, John Courage has released his latest album, Decades - a solo acoustic guitar collection of insight and mellow grooves. Be sure and download a copy from #bandcamp and stream it from your favorite music player. / Leica M6TTL | Leitz 50mm Summicron Tiger | Kodak TMAX P3200 | Kodak HC110b

I believe in energies that no one has to see for us to prove. I believe in you and me and everything we’ll ever see and do. Specks and more coming up! 4/18 Catskill NY 4/21 Boston MA * 4/22 Brooklyn NY * 4/23 Providence RI * 4/24 Manchester VT * 4/25 Southbury CT w/ @danmanganmusic