Van Fans and my fellow MJV dudes

This is sort of sad, sitting here, writing this post for the MJVblog, which Josh has awesomely maintained since its inception. Sad because this is my first contribution to the blog, and it will probably be my only contribution ever. It’s just one of those things that gets you, realizing that the ride is over. I would have never thought, when MJV first started to come together back in 2006-7, that I’d be this sad to see the experience end, even though it is ended unlike any other band experience I’ve ever had. No hard feelings, no malice, no hatred or egos. Just 4 dudes, moving on. For the past 2 years, the years MJV has been most active, the band has been a major part of my life, despite how little being in MJV stressed me, or made me bust my ass. The band has just been there, as an idea, a vibe, and an extension of my life. Working with the three dudes I’ve worked with (4, if you count our first drummer, Pat, who sat in on some jams in 2007 and backed Josh and I up at our first show ever, at Petit Campus in August 2010) has made being in MJV a dream, and the shit we concocted was so much fun to play.

To the Van Fans: From our first show to our last, we’ve seen more of you great people come out to support us. Singing along while we all fought the ‘Zombies,’ or chanting as we waited for snow from the ‘Horizons,’ you’ve encouraged me, and often surprised me (especially at our farewell show this past June). You’re a tight group, and I actually know most of you personally, which makes saying good-bye in this way more than a little hard. Just know that you will always be as much a part of MJV, and the experience, as any one of us. Thank you so much for the support, comments, critiques, suggestions, and backing vocals. See you on the flip side!

To the Appalachian Sensations themselves: You guys make the music. It’s true (and literal). From everything that MJV’s songs could have been to what they are, I’ve never played with a finer, more professional (while chill and vibe-friendly) group of musicians. From Mark’s ability to take a 3 chord slogging riff and turn it into something listenable and complex (and filled with spaceship reverb and absolute tone), Ryan always knowing exactly what a song needed in the back, knowing how to capture the rhythmic feeling of what the song needed and wanted to say/promote, to Josh’s laid back and/or fiery vocals, surprising even me with how a reggae song about skiing can be soulful, you three made Eastern Mountain Music what it is today. You were also such a pleasure to work with, even with our crazy tangents, off-topic arguments, and my sheer laziness when it came to professionalism, musicianship, and life. I love you all, and wish you all the best.

Well, it looks like I’ve written quite the novel. Thanks, those of you who are still reading at this point. That’s cool. My last thanks will be to all the places we played, all the bands we supported (notably The Hook Up and Radio Free Universe, both who are surely going to make some awesome noise as they move on; thanks for putting up with our craziness), and the organizations like Beads of Awareness and the Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program for giving us the chances to lend our vibey tunes to good causes that help people out.

I will think about MJV and everything attached to it each time I crank a turn in the gnar, and wonder what the mountains would sound like if MJV never entered my life. The winter wasn’t completely endless, that is true. Sometimes, even the best things ever need to come to a conclusion. Still, I know that after a long summer, and a chilly fall, Winter’s Coming, as it always does.

Peace and love,

Chris