Advertisement
Photo provided by: Jesse Davidson
____________________________________________________________________________________
There’s certain eras of music that are deeply etched in our psyches. Sonic moments that have become timeless in the collective zeitgeist. Various shades of musical expression from the late 60’s, early 70’s that retained a mystique worldwide. Along with the infinite ocean of people gathered at Woodstock and the musical hit factory of Motown, the Southern California sound of the late 60’s and early 70’s remains a time that continues to captivate and capture imaginations across continents.
Much like the songs and records from that iconic period, the artists keeping that sound alive continue to endure. Venice, a band who moniker is dedicated to their hometown, has been creating their own unique twist on the SoCal sound for 45 years. Inspired from elements of folk heroes like Joni Mitchell and Crosby Stills and Nash, fused with their love of harmony driver rock from The Eagles and The Beach Boys, their sound is forged by a vocal blend only achieved through their years spent singing together as kids.
Being able to harmonize effortlessly together is in their DNA. Comprised of members of the Lennon family, their family’s musical crest was made famous by the Lennon Sisters on the Lawrence Welk show. Most notably, Kipp, Marky and Pat Lennon performed as backing vocalists for Roger Waters The Wall Tour from 2010-2013.
After a long delay brought on by the pandemic, their 23rd studio album, Stained Glass, was released in March 2024. Although they have built a dedicated, loyal following in the Southern California music scene, they have found an even bigger audience in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands playing to large audiences at festivals, theaters and clubs across the continent. Maintaining good relationships amongst band members, especially siblings, is no easy task for any group to preserve for multiple decades.
Sitting down with Michael Lennon, he describes their unique dynamic. “Our whole family upbringing is respecting each other’s differences, priorities and let them speak their piece. Respect them enough to hear them out. You can still give you honest opinion but don’t just cut people off. We’re all four totally different guys but there’s a common work ethic and respectability that has allowed us to be together this long and make this many records.
Setting up a mobile studio on his back porch, what began as laid back writing circle quickly turned into the foundations for the album. Utilizing an electronic drum kit, small tube amps, direct acoustic guitars and bass and the SM58 stage microphones for vocals. This small and simple setup allowed the band to work on ideas at low-volume levels by using headphones or low-level playback through studio monitors without bothering the neighbors with live drums.
“The beauty of this approach on Stained Glass was that one person’s idea would be presented to the other 5 musicians and each guy added a different color to that idea”, says Michael. “Whether it was an unexpected drum beat, or a moving guitar line, those simple ideas turned into pieces of art, colored by the different musical and lyrical contributions. That only happens when you are working that idea out, together, and playing as one unit”
Although drummer Andre Kemp re-recorded live drums for the album, most of the performances, including the vocal takes, were from those porch recordings. “Lunches made by Michael’s wife, Danielle, and visits from their dog Sachi, kept us grounded and let us stay in the creative bubble without leaving that space”, said bassist, Mark Harris.
That spirit of Laurel Canyon still lingering in the backyard, their approach harkens back to an era where recording and songwriting felt more spontaneous. The time spent apart several years prior fostering a new creative spirit within Michael Lennon. “Life is precious. I always thought that but didn’t realize it until there was the thought of being separated from my brothers, sisters, and family. Life is more precious than it was before.”
Currently, Venice is getting ready to release their second covers record, Brunch Buffet 2, a follow up to it’s 2016 predecessor, which contained their harmony driven re-imaginings of classics like “She’s Always a Woman” by Joni Mitchell, Home At Last by Steely Dan, and Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland. They are also prepping for the Get What You Give tour of Europe in the fall. Having travelled there extensively, I asked Michael about the difference between the European and American music/art scenes:
“It’s funny because America is probably most famous for being on the cutting edge of popular culture, arts and especially music for sure. It’s funny that the Government is not as supportive of the arts as everywhere else (chuckles). Even the theaters (in Europe) are government subsidized. They are well run, the backstage are immaculate, the storage rooms are itemized, the crews make decent money.”
Taking a cue from our European counterparts, combined with the never-ending love for their home community, Venice has organized and hosted a series of local concerts benefiting local arts programs in public schools over the past 20 years.
“I think we’ve raised almost a million dollars for the arts in public schools. We would include the student body as well as Jackson Browne, David Crosby or Billy Idol as our guest artists” Lennon recalled. “Venice would be the house band and we’d have the high school orchestra, choir, and jazz band horns. We’d be able to do these anthemic Beatles songs, Queen, Chicago, all the biggest hits we could create on the stage. These kids are given an experience different than the classical music class or chamber orchestra they’ve been spending four years doing.
Suddenly their playing with Billy Idol doing, “Eyes Without A Face” and it changes their lives, I’m telling you. They come out of there with this whole new lease on music” Reflecting on his own high school experience, Lennon sought to provide the kids with more than what he had growing up. “I had no avenue to study music other than a midterm elective class we did for two or three week” said Michael. “There was a cooking class or pottery. Things that weren’t on the normal catholic high school menu. Coming out of that, I didn’t want other kids to be deprived of that stuff. I think it’s so important, especially for kids who are struggling in high school, to make friends and be social. Especially at Santa Monica Public High School, its a nationwide award winning orchestra and choir. They really got their s—- together there because they got the funding to build their music department. It changes kids lives. Maybe they aren’t the athlete or the debate kid but they find music and have their own community.” Two years ago, when their beloved friend David Crosby passed away, they posted a 2011 concert they organized for Santa Monica Public High School. Crosby was the featured guest artist along with Gerry
Beckley and Dewey Bunnell from America. As of writing this, the concert has accumulated of a million views on YouTube. Timeless songs from the Crosby Stills and Nash cannon like “Long Time Gone” “Guinevere” and “Ohio” were displayed at peak performance with Venice’s musical and vocal prowess in full effect.
“The thing that stood out to me, at the end of that video, we’re all sitting on couches backstage and going over Suite: Judy Blue Eyes and other songs. The great reward I got in sticking it out in my music career was sitting in a room with Crosby and the guys from America going over these songs. That was just as powerful as being on stage. It still gives me goosebumps thinking about it” said Michael.
After being introduced to the band through Dallas Taylor, the original drummer for CSNY, Crosby became enamored with their vocal harmonies and began to sit in with the band on occasion, this led to the formation of a long friendship. In describing the band, Crosby previously said, “Venice is the best vocal group in America right now. I love all kinds of harmony. But I particularly love theirs, because it’s so natural. It’s not like anybody else’s. This is my favorite band in the world.”
Along with befriending one of their heroes, the band found a fellow generous soul and human being in their idol. “We became so close with David, I think it was after that concert, he has a custom signature Martin guitar, he actually gifted Pat and I one of them. We found out James Raymond, his son has serial number #1, Graham Nash has #2 and Pat and I have #3 and #4”
After an incident on the road in Europe where the first gifted Martin D-28 was smashed and then later repaired, Crosby sent Pat Lennon another Martin while that one was in limbo. “David came to the show that night we played and he goes, ‘F—-, you played your ass off tonight. I feel really bad, we need to give you a guitar to. I went to his house, he opens his garage door and he pulls out a plastic wrapped Martin case. After that, we went into his room, I smoked a joint and looked out his bay window over, looking over his horse stables and we just doodled around on guitar together. That was one of the best days of my life.”
In a time where division seems to be rampant throughout music and society in general. Venice represents a dynamic of what’s possible when respecting each other differences is made the focus. Borrowing from the spirit of their heroes, friends and colleagues, dynamics like theirs show what is possible when we can unite over things that bind us.
“There’s this great chemistry that works it’s way out. Of course there’s headbutting once and while. I wouldn’t say it gets heated but there are debates and challenges that we face that get worked out. If someone is really adamant about something, we trust them enough and have respect for their opinion, let’s chase that idea and whittle it. We’re It goes back to why the band is still together. We’re totally different people but there’s a respect there that allows us to find common ground and find a happy medium”
A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
