NEW YORK CITY (June 26, 2023) – Brewflies release “Anything is Possible” on July 20. The song written by Michael Veitch derives from his participation in the PBS Songs of Survivor project which paired songwriters with Holocaust survivors.
The song tells the story of a young boy’s escape after witnessing the rounding up of Jewish people into concentration camps. It starts from the harrowing revelation of the depths of the “possibility” of Nazi depravity and inhuman brutality of unimaginable proportions (that “anything IS possible and nothing is impossible) and immediately proposes the limitless hope of overcoming this dire possibility by taking “one step” toward freedom (“He told me just one step could start a road…”).
Brittain says, “We included the song because of its relevance now, too; it points to the possibility in our time that a microbe could bring a ‘sophisticated’ techno-scientific society and economy to its knees (a stark reminder that NOTHING is impossible)…and yet–actually overcoming that threat IS also, it turns out, a real possibility.”
The song features Kirsti Gholson on lead vocals and background harmonies, Billy Clockel on bass, Larry Brittain on acoustic & electric guitars, Gary Oleyar on violin, and Dan Hickey on drums.
The album documents Brewflies Covid-19 experience through interpretations of noteworthy songs representing the period. Artists represented on the album include Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Mary Gauthier, and three original songs by their musical soulmate and collaborator, Michael Veitch.
Brewflies are:
– Larry (Lars) Brittain—lead electric and acoustic guitars, rhythm guitars, lead and harmony vocals
– Billy Clockel—String bass, electric bass, acoustic Guild bass.
– Kirsti Gholson—Lead and harmony vocals
– Jeff Schmich—Mandolin, lead and harmony vocals
-Dan Hickey–Drums and percussion
-Professor Louie–piano and organ
-Joshua Pearl –piano and organ
-Gary Oleyar–fiddle
-Jimmy Heffernan–dobro
-Tony Trischka–banjo on “Above the Rain” and “Fortunate Son”
-E’lissa Jones–cello on “My Life”
– Additional background vocals arranged by Kirsti Gholson, E’lissa Jones, and Aaron Hurwitz.
-Marie Spinosa (Miss Marie) joined Professor Louie with her powerful harmonies on “Johnny 99.”
-Grammy winner Lisa Gutkin plays violin in “Mercy Now.”
“Rain Down Mercy” Track Listing
- For What It’s Worth—(Buffalo Springfield–Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay)
- Anything Is Possible–(Michael Veitch)
- Mercy Now–(Mary Gauthier)
- Johnny 99–(Bruce Springsteen)
- Above the Rain–(Michael Veitch)
- I Ain’t Got No Home–(Woody Guthrie)
- Fortunate Son–(Creedence Clearwater Revival…John Fogerty)
- Why Worry Now–(Mark Knopfler…Don and Phil Everly, Chet Atkins)
- Wait–(The Beatles…John Lennon and Paul McCartney)
- Who Are You Redbird?–(writers Beth Husband and Milan Miller)
- Those Memories (of You Still Haunt Me)–(writer Alan O’Bryant)
- Try, Try, Try–(Michael Veitch)
- The Rumor–(The Band…Robbie Robertson)
- New Morning–(Bob Dylan)
- My Life–(Iris Dement)
About the Brewflies
Brewflies’ roots run deep. Over the 40+ years the Brewflies members have been together in various musical projects, their musical tastes have changed, but none were ever left behind. Larry Brittain, Billy Clockel, and Jeff Schmich officially formed Brewflies in 1994 as an acoustic bluegrass trio. Early on, the British invasion bands, particularly the Beatles, were important. So were the Motown sounds, the emerging horn bands of the ‘70s, and folk and country artists who guided their musical approach and sound. When the Brewflies recorded their first album, “On The Fly,” in 2008, the band started experimenting with a newgrass sound and integrated more folk-rock, jazz, and Latin-Caribbean tilts. Their former collaboration, The Jumbo String Band, appeared with groups including the Lonesome River Band, Del McCory Band, Red Clay Ramblers, Tony Trischka and Skyline, and the Seldom Scene. They were featured with Tom Chapin (Harry Chapin’s brother) in a benefit concert for the Roots music radio programs at WFDU college radio. They also performed at the final Nyon Festival in Switzerland, which featured The Beach Boys, The Pogues, and Chuck Berry.
