We had planned to film Viva Voce awhile back.  The band, husband and wife Kevin and Anita Robinson, had a lot on their plate that day so Kevin asked if he could do a solo show for us.  We happily agreed and he played three songs for us in the darkened Middle East restaurant in between sips of beer.

Fast forward to a few months back, Kevin and Anita were playing Great Scott after being on the road for quite some time.  Kevin walked right up to us and started talking about their journey: all the cities passed through, the clubs and bars, the people they had encountered.  He talked about how difficult things now seem, how financial strain and politics have pushed people to the edge.  He was like a poet or a frazzled preacher running on fumes.  What he said made a lot of sense.

He told us it was all he could do to try and cheer people up just a little bit, and to sing them their songs.   There are some messages to be found in the new album, to be sure.  Analog Woodland Song, of course, is all about getting out of the city, finding a little bit of nature that may be lost in all of us.  But singing songs about what we need to remember, about trees and such, does not lead Viva Voce into naïve territory.  Their music asks us from time to time just to sit back, appreciate, and love each other.  Some may say that is naïve, but we say it’s genuine.

We weren’t sure whether or not they would be up for a show, the doors were opening soon.  Anita came over and smiled, and she and Kevin stepped away for a bit.  After a short time, they told us they were ready and we went behind the club to film their songs, the sounds of passing cars blending in with their harmonies.  A man who planned to see the show happened to walk by and asked if he could stick around.  Kevin and Anita were happy to oblige.

First up, Analog Woodland Song:

Second, We Don’t Care:

Finally, Thirteen, a beautiful rendition from Big Star:

One thing Kevin said really sticks with us.  He spoke about the Great Depression and how, even in the toughest of times, if a stranger stopped by, no matter how little you had, you offered him supper and possibly a place to stay.  It was a code, a code that is mostly lost in this day and age.  Perhaps music is a bit like a meal and lodging, a casual passerby can sometimes listen to the music he loves for free because those who play that music are generous enough to share.

To stay updated, make sure to find us on Facebook or Twitter.