For nearly a decade Michael Harrison Berg of Van Ghost was a behind the scenes type of guy. Having poured his energy into his ventures as a concert promoter and band manager, little was left over for personal creative endeavors.
That all changed in 2007 when Berg's close friends encouraged him to revisit the acoustic guitar he put down in his younger days and asked him to perform a song at their wedding. Melding the inspiration from the many talented bands he has worked with and his own passion for music, the singer returned to his roots. He began writing songs, drawing from his life experiences, creating a heartfelt and staggeringly honest perspective. After building up a solid repertoire of folk ballads, gritty Americana tunes and classic rock laced jams, Berg assembled an all-star cast of musicians and named the project Van Ghost.
With an exquisite 6 piece band flavored with pedal steel and psychedelic guitars, an earth shattering rhythm section, and haunting guy/girl harmonies, the band played it's debut show before a packed audience at Chicago's revered Metro in January 2008. It was an auspicious beginning for one of Chicago's most promising new acts.
Following up their debut record, "Melodies For Lovers", on Split Red Records, the band headed down to Nashville, TN to begin the tracking of their next release. With 2009 Grammy award winning Producer/Engineer/Mixer, Justin Niebank at the helm the bands sound continues to develop and expand. Berg has established that he is as comfortable operating under the spotlight as he is behind the curtain. With Van Ghost, he sets out to inspire music fans the same as other artists have inspired him – one song at a time.
Van Ghost: Melodies For Lovers was produced in Chicago, IL by Michael Berg, Dan Wean & Van Ghost, and was mixed by Sean O'Keefe both at Pragma Studio. Tha album was mastered by Dominic Maita at Air Show Mastering in Boulder, CO.
A HUGE THANK YOU to the writers and editors that have given VAN GHOST their time and attention!!! Please click any link below each quote to visit and support the sites that are supporting our music:
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- Van Ghost's debut "Melodies for Lovers" gets a lot of mileage out of singer-guitarist Michael Berg's endearing, vulnerable voice. His delivery is well-suited to subtle songs like "Wednesday," which seem like routine Midwestern pop until they rise to something transcendent and touching, while growing on you like other generic artists never do. The band crafts honest tales of love out of folk sounds energetic enough to drift out your car window, and gentle enough to sing outside someone's bedroom window. A lovely slice of local alt-country. http://chicago.metromix.com/music/essay_photo_gallery/albums-you-need-to/877688/photo/1337762 (RED EYE / Chicago Tribune Company)
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What distinguishes Van Ghost as a bright new standout amongst the crowding indie Americana set is when brainchild Michael Harrison Berg and Jennifer Hartswick sing together, it truly is peaceful. For whatever reason, this band seems honest. http://www.jambase.com/Articles/19177/Van-Ghost-07.29-Brooklyn
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- Van Ghost doesn't simply give us another name to add to the bunch of emerging alternative bands. The songs brim with the inspiration of returning to music. And if you're tired of rock vocalists, the sultry harmonies of fellow singer, Jennifer Hartswick, transform Berg's into something else. Van Ghost has given us a well-crafted debut and a developed vision. The tunes on Melodies for Lovers will charge up a crowd for sure. http://www.urchicago.com/content/van-ghost-melodies-lovers
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One listen to the album's rough mix belies Van Ghost's relative youth. From the evocative lope of opener "Summer Promise" to the dramatic, somewhat darker flourishes of powerful closer "Coliseum," its atmosphere is warm and vibrant, its rootsy grooves tight and assured. Berg's pensive pipes intertwine with the sultry jazz-schooled tones of Jennifer Hartswick, a Vermont transplant who is best known as a member of Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio's band. It's obvious why Berg says O'Keefe called the material "the perfect blend of desperation and hope." (Jeff Pizek - Daily Herald)
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- End the fest on a high note with the country meets indie-folk tunes of local outfit Van Ghost - http://chicagoist.com/2009/07/24/wicker_park_fest_2009.php
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- CSNY Inspired - http://flavorpill.com/chicago/events/2009/7/25/wicker-park-fest?utm_source=chicago&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=issue_253
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- There's a good chance you've seen their name before. The band have already played high profile gigs at the likes of Metro, SXSW and Rothbury Festival, and have scored favorable press in and out of the city. Over a year in the making, the debut LP, Melodies for Lovers, is bound to propel the band even further into the spotlight. http://www.examiner.com/x-427-Chicago-Rock-Music-Examiner~y2009m7d17-QA-with-Michael-Berg-of-Van-Ghost
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- His desire to relate personal stories was fulfilled by forming a six-piece band that could express a full range of textures and ideas without abandoning the notion of staying true to one's craft and morals. http://www.luminomagazine.com/mw/content/view/2793/1
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His voice has just the right touch of timidity, making each word he sings seem honest and direct, allowing the lyrics and music to blend in a way that the overall songwriting craft becomes the center of attention. (Joel Berk - glidemagazine.com)
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Their My Morning Jacket countryesque sound is certainly addicting (analoggiant.blogspot.com)
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- There are several different variations of rock in the genre dictionary, and this band can perform each one capably and confidently and without sounding like it's taking any major effort to do so. Highly recommended. http://localvertical.blogspot.com/2009/07/proper-introductions.html
