Brand New Heartache

  
Love is a long game and harmony, musical or otherwise, is not something you stumble into. Brand New Heartache, the husband/wife duo consisting of Matthew and Eleese Meschery, take their cues from the rich traditions of authentic Americana while channeling anthemic, indie-pop vibrations and dreamy harmonies. 

After having formed the band in Oakland, CA, the pairmade a consequential move in 2022 to Madison,TN-just outside of Nashville. With a rotating cast of session players that’s included members of Chuck Prophet’s band, Counting Crows, and Aimee Mann, they’ve sharpened a captivating sound and built momentum in East Nashville as they gear up for their spring release on Mule Kick Records.

Their music is flush with sentiments that reflect inner truths, particularly when it comes to evoking the highs and lows of relationships and the commitment it takes to maintain a certain passion and perseverance. Unlike diary entries, the songs are negotiations between devotion and doubt; spark and staying power. Given that their handle was taken from the iconic song made famous by Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons, the couple found inspiration in Gram and Emmy’s soaring vocals and seemingly effortless engagement. Indeed, the debut album rings with emphatic emotion and memorable melodies worthy of their predecessor’s early efforts.

With an additional focus on the visual aspect of their project, BNH leans into retro glitter, high fashion glam and a curated vintage aesthetic. The experience of their live show is an observable delight as well as a consistent effusion of musical gems.

“New Alchemy” describes the first date and the connection that leads to a first spark ofinterest. “It’s about that initial rush of excitement and anticipation, as well as an intrusion ofdoubt and uncertainty.” Matthew muses. “That first hint of romantic love seems to transform time and space and defy the laws of physics and pure reality.”

“Montreal” shares thoughts about that next step in the relationship when plans are made and new adventures are begun, involving travels to someplace new and enticing. “We wrote this song in the midst of some tumultuous times ,” Eleese explains. “The song imagines a couple that have some humble dreams–to leave the cold streets of a Baltimore winter and go to Montreal, a place that’s foreign and romantic, but still within reach.”

“Eurydice” references the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, as told from the perspective of Eurydice. “The song is about finding trust,” Matthew maintains. “Unlike it did in the early days, once that bond evolves, it’s rare to find both people in lock-step with one another, and that can be okay.”

A talented team of musicians and producers supported Brand New Heartache’s efforts. The album’s players included Jebin Bruni and Jimmy Wallace on keys, James DePrato, Matthew Szlachetka and Nat Gleason on electric and acoustic guitars, Michael Urbano, Darren King and Jim Boggios on drums, Ted Pecchio, Etienne Franc, Mitchell Cardenas on bass, and KP Hawthorn and Sarah Ailli on backing vocals. 

The album was produced and mixed by Michael Patterson (known for his work on the Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated albums “Midnite Vultures” by Beck and “Life After Death” by Notorious B.I.G) and engineered by Ryan Sandlin, Steve Berns, and Michael Rosen.

The Brand New Heartache backstory is as interesting a tale as their future promises to be.  Matthew, the son of a professional basketball player-turned poet and a mother who penned three novels, grew up in Truckee, a small town in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Hemade his move to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 90’s and formed an indie-soul bandcalled Cleveland Lounge. In 1999, he co-founded the band OPM and secured a signing with Atlantic Records. The band not only made its way up the Billboard charts, but also scored a hit song in the UK and Europe that garnered over 40 millions streams on Spotify, led to an appearance on Top of the Pops and a British Kerrang Award for Single of the Year. 

Eleese’s music was spawned from her roots in the Southeast. Born in Nashville, she was raised in Florida and North Carolina before eventually migrating to San Francisco after graduation. It was there that she pursued an interest in acting and performing. She was able to gain various roles in television, film, commercials, and stage production and became an associate member of a San Francisco theater troupe, and also earned her SAG card.

The eclectic Nor Cal scene was a fitting home for a pair of musicians inspired by power pop,indie folk, soul, 60’s-70’s Laurel Canyon sounds, and classic country. They cite such disparate artists and outfits as Mates of State (“one of the first shows we sawtogether in SanFrancisco”), John Prine and his various duet partners, The New Pornographers, The Head and The Heart, Aimee Mann, and of course, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris as prime influences.

The move to TN was a natural choice, sparked by a 2019 show opening for Nashville darling, Maggie Rose, at Oakland’s New Parish. It is more of an evolution than a reinvention, as the new location has not changed the core of who they are; rather it has given them a deeper wellfrom with to draw, and where the songs have a more reverberant echo.Brand New Heartache makes music for anyone who knows that love isn’t just about falling–it’s about staying curious after the fall.