This song is the second track on my record, Gin & Rosewater. It’s an exploration of all the ways we can inflict – or feel –emotional pain. Some of it may be caused by cruelty, some by misunderstanding or thoughtlessness, and some is completely unintentional. It’s all in the head or the heart of the person who feels wronged. The interesting thing is how often and easily it happens. And for many, the cumulative effect of feeling wronged – or of being constantly accused of infli

Belvedere is an ode to loneliness, to love lost. The topic is not new by any means– so I attempted to convey that sense of loss in a non-literal way. Rather than tell the story of how and why the road turned wrong, I threw out images - a tear-stained cheek, laughter thrown among the stones, memories looking for a home - to conjure a mood of loneliness. It leaves the protagonist simply "standing here, outside Belvedere". Chuck McDermott: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar Marco Giovino:

This is the narrator talking to himself. The litany of things he “doesn’t need” is split between things he may truly not need and things he doesn’t want to need. He doesn’t want to need a boat, or a drink, or rubies or buckets of silver. He doesn’t want to be a slave to the affirmation of others, or to win every argument. The song covers the desires for the physical – money, possessions – as well as the emotional – affirmation, praise, religious salvation. It ends with an ode

I have the distinct pleasure of starting my first new record in several many years. I'm working with an amazing producer and an amazing team of players, and am greatly looking forward to release this new collection of 13 songs. Stay tuned!