Songwriters Peter and Gena (pronounced Jenna) met at an open mic in college. There were some really “interesting” acts there, including Enrique Inglesias Karaoke. In spite of that, they recognized musical compatibility in each other and began a long friendship and musical partnership. (They also got married😊) They share a love of the blues, classic country, and rock n roll.
Herd Of Main Street have been grinding away at a very rigorous gigging schedule for almost a decade. Independent musicians are never paid what they’re worth, but the Herd has used gigging to self-finance the production and release of 4 albums and 1 EP.
Their latest album, Heyday, is named for the glory days past, and that theme is present in it’s songs. Many of the songs deal with loss and the cycle of mourning that you experience when a loved one passes, or when a familiar stage of life begins to change. Peter wrote “Redbird” and “The One Who Cares” with his mother in mind, who recently passed on after a long and brave battle with cancer. “Ode to Alan Wilson” is also a tribute to the past, telling the story of Canned Heat songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player Alan Wilson, a great hero of Peter’s, and a big musical influence. “Yellow Flame,” a song co-written by Peter, Gena and drummer Lance Smith, is another song of remembrance for the old friends and pets of the past.
“Never Look Back” was written by Gena as a mantra to not stuck in the past, and be hopeful about the future, something she still has to remind herself of today. It’s easy to get bogged down as an independent musician in the mire of doing your own booking, being underpaid and sometimes underappreciated.
Comparing yourself to your idols doesn’t help either, especially when you note how much the music industry has changed since the 60’s and 70’s when most of the greats who taught us to love performing were having their own “heyday.”
But, for every moment of doubt, there are so many great moments where you make real connections, you feel so much gratitude for your audience and bandmates, moments that validate your creative journey and your whole life, really. Those are the moments that keep this small ‘herd’ going and the spirit they’ll be summoning this January when they begin to record a new album.
They have honored the past, now it’s time to meet the future.
Links to Herd Of Main Street
Website: http://herdofmainstreet.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerdofMainSt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdofmainstreet/
Similar Artists to Herd of Main Street
