“Side Trips” by Kearns Family celebrates Furstwurld and other hi-desert originals (and covers)
Pat and Susan Kearns have spent decades making music together. Since coming to the Morongo Basin, they’ve become part of a community of artists and musicians who inspire one another.
That spirit of community lives throughout Side Trips. One of the EP’s most personal songs is The Ballad of Bobby Furst. Pat Kearns collaborated with songwriter Will Amato on the piece for an unfinished documentary. It became a tribute to the late Joshua Tree artist whose home, Furstwurld, brought together artists, musicians, and friends.
Pat: ”He was an eccentric artist who brought the community together at his amazing place called Furstwurld, where he would have performances of sometimes music, but all kinds of things. The place was about art.”
Community is something Pat continues to build every Sunday as host of the Z107.7 Local Music Showcase.
“I’m really curious what people are doing in the music community. But the most important thing that I love about doing the show is how it builds community.”
That same feeling of inclusiveness shaped Side Trips. Instead of leaving several recordings behind after finishing their vinyl album Together and Alone, the Kearns compiled them into a five-song EP. The songs reflect both the music they love and the community that shaped them.
The collection includes four cover songs and one original. Two tracks were recorded during the Together and Alone sessions but were not included on the album. Another is an unexpected country-inspired version of ABBA’s Dancing Queen. Pat said, ”We’re a country and folk band, so I just turned it into a line dance.”
Pat records the music in the couple’s Goat Mountain Recording studio, while Susan creates the artwork for the cover. Together, they strive to keep every part of the project as personal and handcrafted as the music itself.
“We try to incorporate hand-done art… when you come see us live, what you hear is what it sounds like on the recordings.”
While preparing the EP for distribution, Pat realized it would be released on August 8 — Bobby Furst’s birthday. They couldn’t imagine a more fitting day to release Side Trips.
