The first and possibly most important piece of news is that the digital release of our newest album If the Haves are Willing is finally scheduled for 10/04/10 with Halogen Records.  We released the CD’s ourselves in late June and have been working frantically to get the digital edition ready for the streets.  There will be shows celebrating the worldwide digital release, as well as a few other surprises to be announced later this fall.

Over the past few months our guitarist Zack has been feverishly working on the new studio album from his band the Zack Dupont Band.  This is the first full band album he has put together that features his silky smooth songwriting.  His debut album Paths was released last year to a roar of public praises.  For the new record he has been working with producer Jared Slomoff as well as some of the best musicians in Vermont.  Look out for this one when it drops!

Speaking of studio work, just this past weekend we had the privilege of returning to The Tank which is our favorite studio here in Burlington with our dear friend and former pianist Jon Goneau.  Jon made a special trip up to Burlington for this late night session while back on the east coast.  While we still have no idea what will become of the recording from this session,  it was fantastic having Jon back with us.  More info will be made available as we decide how and when to use these tracks.

While on the topic of Jon Goneau, there are outtakes from the recording of No Consequence that are slowly being mixed/mastered for inclusion in the digital extended edition release tentatively slated for Spring 2011.  When the main tracks were done for that album, the beer started flowing and we kept playing.  Out of this extra 4-5 hours of improvised goodness we’ll be compiling an EP for exclusive digital release.

The last bit of news for now is a coming remix contest.  Within the next month or so we’ll be launching a contest to remix a track from If the Haves are Willing.  The best remixes will land themselves on an EP to be released digitally.  Other prizes and information will be made available once we’ve finalized the details.

Here are a few of the pictures taken at the Tank with Jon.

Lastly, we have a video shot back in April at Nectar’s.  It’s of a song called Heavy and features our buddy Sam from Otis Grove on the organ.

We are pleased to be working with Halogen Records/Halogen Media Works in the release of this album.  The official release date has been set for June 22, preorder is currently under way.

We’ll be having Cd release parties on 6/25 and 6/26 in Burlington and Montpelier.  More info on those to come.

If the Haves are Willing (tracklist) Das Gutt Ain’t that a B Can’t Do It Brother, Be Tightrope the Fill Grinder Boob Diaper (untitled) Set Self Sail

The new record is appearing to be getting a summer/early fall release.  Comprised of 9 tracks, it is a solid representation of who we are, what we do and how we do it.  In an effort to save money and the environment we are not planning to print any CD’s,  we’re just releasing it digitally.  We apologize to all the anti-mp3 folks out there, but not really.

Last Friday Club Metronome was treated with a rare guitarless Japhy Ryder concert.  When Mr. Dupont informed us of a family emergency and his inability to attend, the only choice we had was to crush it.  Although Zack was sorely missed, with the help of our friends Alex Toth and Maria Eisen from the Rubblebucket Orchestra we proceeded to truly engage in the mystique of Jazz Fest.

Here’s 1 track from the show, its called Heavy.

(head on over to japhyryder.com and check out the audio)
The whole recording is available from www.vermontlivemusic.com

Many new features are being added to our website over the coming days.  Have a look around, you might find something you like.  A few of the new features are a finally listenable set of tracks on the Music tab and a brand new photo gallery.

That is the news for now.  We’re playing in Boston (Cambridge) on June 26 at the Lizard Lounge with fellow Ropeadope Artists Leo Genovese and Tim Collins.  Come on out and say hi.  But first, sign our mailing list if you aren’t already on it.

First, the gigs:
Friday 5/29/09 we return to one of our favorite places to play, Jimmy Mac’s in Rochester NY.  We’ll have our friends Jae Mood with us, should be a good time.

Saturday 5/30/09 we are pleased to be a part of Nelson Ledges Quarry Park’s Summer Kickoff festival out in Ohio.

Wednesday 6/10/09 we will be performing as part of Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival.  This free show takes place outdoors on upper Church St. on the ‘Fountain Stage’ at 7PM.

Friday 6/12/09 we will be supporting the Marco Benevento Trio at Club Metronome in Burlington.  This show is open to everyone over 18 years of age and tickets are $15 in advance, $18 day of show (with applicable service fees)

Friday 6/26/09 we are teaming up with fellow Ropeadope artist Leo Genovese’s band in Boston at the Lizard Lounge.  Tickets for this show are $10 at the door, and it is 21+.  We are working on adding a few dates around this one, we’ll announce as soon as we can.

After these two gigs with Ropeadope, we are taking a brief break from the world of Japhy Ryder while each of us explores different aspects of our lives over the months of July and August.  While we may add a few gigs to our schedules we primarily plan to take it easy – except for Pat and Joshua.

Why are they any different?  Joshua is not only the best damn percussinoist (shaker/triangle-ist) we’ve ever worked with, but he’s a badass drummer as well.  While holding down the beats in the Pulse Prophets, he has successfully drawn Pat into that group to fill the hole left while bassist Alex Budney goes on a leave of absence.  More info on the Pulse Prophets can be found on their website, and we’ll keep you updated on what Pat and Josh are up with them as well.

So there it is, Japhy Ryder version 2.0 shall make our official debut on April 2 to start the Ropeadope sponsored ‘Homedown Throwdown Tour’ in Philadelphia.  The tour then heads to Boston and ends with our hometown debut at Higher Ground on 4/4.

Here’s a little taste of what this new version of Japhy Ryder has to offer.

(head on over to japhyryder.com and check out the audio)

(if you are using Firefox and this sounds like a broken cassette player,
you can download the file – Tightrope)

Check out these two songs from the EP, Thruway Traffic & Charlie Brown’s Sound.

And while this is technically a transition period for Japhy Ryder, it is also time to look back at what we’ve accomplished and how far we’ve grown as a band as as individuals over the last 5 years.  We are tremendously proud of everything that we’ve accomplished as a group, and look forward to whatever the future brings for Japhy Ryder.

And now for the entertaining part, here are some photo’s taken at the studio while making the Soft Glow Sessions.  Looking back at these pictures made me remember why we’ve never recorded anything like we recorded these tracks – Will is in the kitchen!  It’s terribly difficult to use visual cues with someone that isn’t in the room.

Click on the the thumbnails for the full image.

Well, big changes are afoot in the Japhy Ryder camp.  Founding member and longtime guitarist for Japhy Ryder, Jeremy Kizina, has decided it is time for him to move on and pursue the next phase in his life.  While we are saddened by Jeremy’s departure, we fully understand and support him in his decision.  Furthermore, we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Naturally, this has raised many important questions about the future of the band.  Although we are all still very excited about making music together, there will definitely be a shift in focus as we make room in our lives for everything that has taken a back seat for the past several years.  As of this time, we have put booking on hold while we figure things out, although we are keeping the following gigs which were previously booked with our friends from Ropeadope:

Thursday, 4/2/09, World Café Live, Philadelphia PA
Friday, 4/3/09, Lizard Lounge, Boston MA
Saturday, 4/4/09, Higher Ground, S. Burlington VT

Other than these dates, you can catch us performing around the Burlington area with Will’s side project, W.E.S.T., most notably in support of The New Deal at Higher Ground on Thursday, February 19.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has come out to shows and supported us throughout the years and apologize to those who looked forward to the shows we were forced to cancel.  Most of all we would like to thank Jeremy for his dedication, inspiration, and comradeship as well as Jeremy’s family for the support, generosity, and hospitality they have shown us time and again in our travels.

We will be sure to keep everyone updated as we continue to figure out how we will proceed.  YES we will proceed, it may just take a little bit of time to arrange how.  Thanks again, and we hope to see you all in the near future,

Jay, Pat, and Will

So, to recap the weekend

12/31/08 (Wed) @ Lake Placid Summit Resort Hotel
w/ Steak D and Thomas Pearo Presents
show starts at 9pm and is all ages.
Tickets for under 18 yrs old are $15, 18+ are $20

1/2/09 (Fri) @ Nectar’s w/ Bad Suit
Free show, starts at 9:30. 21+

1/3/09 (Sat) @ the Monopole w/ Steak D
Free show, starts at 10.  21+