A letter from Linford and Karin

Hello extended musical family,

Hope you are well. We have exciting news. You may want to settle into a comfortable chair with a good beverage. You know me.

The time has arrived for us to make new music. We would love to invite you to help us catch and release new songs into this beautiful broken world we all call home.

In these last few years, I have needed music more than ever. This surprises me. I thought perhaps the hunger would fade.

We have received so many letters over the years from people who leaned into our music during a particularly trying time. We always try to receive these good words, grateful that a real musical conversation has occurred, grateful some real connection has been made. And how encouraging that although we couldn't physically be present with a stranger who was feeling alone, or in need, or a little lost, a song could be present with them. Somehow they found the music useful, part of a healing process, part of making a new start. As our friend and mentor Joe Henry said, If that doesn't meet a songwriter's definition of success, then maybe we have lost the plot.

But I get it now. I can actually feel my body change when the music starts. I breathe differently. I find my balance. I feel my fears fade and my soul is reoriented to a deeper place that can't be touched, a place where a calm conviction whispers, Fear not. All will be well.

(Sometimes in lieu of an angel, a song will have to do.)

As young college students, Karin and I both remember our Armenian piano teacher, Marie Kassouny, telling a story. During World War II, two sisters she knew went to town on a chilly gray fall day with a little money they had scraped together to buy winter coats. When they arrived in the town square they realized that by some miracle a visiting orchestra was set to perform a program in the old theatre that afternoon. The program included one of their favorite symphonies. They looked at each other knowingly as they stepped up to the box office.

We can be cold for one winter, the older sister said.

I remember during one of my own seasons of dark personal struggle asking my aging mother what she did when she found herself oppressed by the cares and worries of this world.

I sing, she said.

During these disorienting times, at the end of our concerts, Karin has often wondered what to say. What she settled on was, Try to do what you believe you were put on this earth to do. And take good care of each other.

Well, we are feeling the deep, undeniable impulse to catch and release more songs. It's the work we feel called to do. Songs are safe places where the vulnerable truth can be spoken. Songs are a really good way of saying, Let's take good care of each other.

So what do you say: let's flood the world with music.

This river is going to rise.

For our last three records: The Long Surrender, Meet Me At The Edge Of The World and Blood Oranges In The Snow, we have collaborated directly with our extended musical family (YOU - Thank You) to bring new work, new music into being. Without you, songs like All My Favorite People, Only God Can Save Us Now, Sacred Ground and Let It Fall (plus about 40 others) would not exist in their current state. Without you, these records could not have been made.

Shall we do it again?

Maybe we need new music now more than ever.

We are at your service.

Let's make some records.

Peace like a river, love like an ocean,

Linford and Karin/Over the Rhine

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We have three projects ready to be born:

-A new Over the Rhine studio album
-A new solo instrumental album from Linford
-An album of long lost hymns, gospel songs and spirituals that have continued to haunt us over the years, filtered through the Over the Rhine lens

(We'll write more about each of these projects in the coming days.)

We are going to offer these three releases as a package deal, musical companions for the road ahead. Please visit:

http://overtherhine.com/lets-make-some-records/

and select whatever donation level is good for you. All donations no matter how large or small are appreciated.

We are planning national/international releases of the projects commencing this Fall, 2017 and moving into early 2018.

We can't do it without you.

Gratefully,

Linford and Karin

ps For those of you who pre-ordered the barn raising DVD: thank you for your patience. We are almost there! We plan to have them in your hands before this year's Nowhere Else Festival. We know how to make records. Films? We are still beginners. We only have one chance to make it good. It's going to be good. Soon.