Silverada

It took a lot of albums to get here, but it’s been worth the effort. That’s how true evolution gives you the most satisfying feeling. Songwriter/frontman Mike Harmeier of the newly christened Silverada (the band formerly known as Mike and The Moonpies) will tell you it’s all part of finding out who you really are as a music artist. Hell, as a person.

“Back in the day, all we wanted to do was play the Broken Spoke,” Harmeier says, in regards to the band’s early priorities. “We had different aspirations back then. We were still figuring out what kind of band we were gonna be, and that took a lot of time and a lot of records.”

Their new self-titled release is LP number 9, cut from the cloth of a group of musicians who’ve worked their asses off, including years of endless touring across the country to build momentum. Never in a million years would they have dreamt of recording an album (Cheap Silver & Solid Country Gold) at Abbey Road Studios, or performing at the Grand Ole Opry.

But it was time for a change. Harmeier knew – the band knew – it was time to explore new creative avenues, and Harmeier took it to heart. After playing around with writing styles, pulling inspiration from unlikely places, like some books he found at a Goodwill, it was time to record with longtime collaborator/producer Adam Odor at Yellow Dog Studios.

The Silverada LP is a testament to all those steps along the way, as well as a glimpse into where the band is headed. Who knows what the horizon holds? Harmeier is here for it all. “Now we want to evolve not only the sound of the band, but the dynamic of the live show, too. We’re all lifers here. We’re in this for the long haul. Silverada is us setting the stage for the next leg of the journey.”

Silverada resumes touring this summer with an album release show July 5 at the Ryman in Nashville. But first, a hometown show is in order tomorrow night, Friday June 7, at Radio East on Montopolis Dr. Doors at 8 p.m., and the line-up features The Weary Boys, and Rattlesnake Milk.