Sourav MondalBent River Records is thrilled to announce the release of ‘Box of Rain,’ an electrifying new single by Massey featuring Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon. Set to drop on January 31, 2025, this captivating rendition of the Grateful Dead’s iconic track pays tribute to the legendary late Phil Lesh, the band’s co-founder and bassist, who passed away recently. Massey’s rendition breathes fresh life into this single, transforming it into a Grungier, Rockier, and Poppier masterpiece that bridges generations while celebrating Lesh’s profound legacy.
Box of Rain
Massey, an artist who seems to have descended from another planet with his visionary approach to music, described the inspiration behind the single: “It came to me in a vision—covering Box of Rain felt like the perfect way to honor Phil Lesh and set the tone for our debut album: Reason for Being. This song is more than just a tribute; it is a beautiful invisible connection between the past and the future, reminding us of the timeless power of music to connect and heal.” He further shares, “When we first started working on the album, we wanted every track to have a deeper meaning, something that resonates universally, and this song was that moment of clarity for me. It’s a reflection on loss, love, and finding light even in the darkest moments—ideas that align perfectly with what Reason For Being is all about.”
Known for his ecological consciousness and genre-bending style, Massey has already made waves with his previous single, (Never) 2 Hot. It became an overnight sensation, amassing tens of thousands of views and solidifying him as an artist to watch. The song, performed during the World Entertainment Awards in the wake of a devastating ecological disaster, reflects Massey’s commitment to creating music with a message.
Massey’s version of Box of Rain offers a bold Pop twist, infusing the track with fresh energy while staying true to its emotional roots. Producer JoeBaby Michaels, a powerhouse behind Bent River Records, describes the track as ‘a mystical version of an incredible Grateful Dead song.’ He reveals the serendipitous story behind the project: “We weren’t initially considering a Grateful Dead cover. But when Phil Lesh passed, Massey came to me and said: Let’s do Box of Rain. It felt like the perfect choice. The duet between him and Vince was the icing on the cake for this single.”
The Pop single was recorded at the legendary Dockside Studio, one of the most renowned analog recording spaces in the world. From its Grammy-winning beginnings with B.B. King’s Blues on the Bayou to hosting icons like Arcade Fire, Dockside has long been a birthplace of musical alchemy. As the producer Joe proudly states, “Recording at this studio, with its storied history and spiritual energy—pushing them to create something extraordinary—brought everything to life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”
Vince Herman, renowned for his global performances and rich musical heritage with Leftover Salmon, described the experience of collaborating on this single as transformative. “Phil Lesh’s Box of Rain was a meditation on life and loss, written as his father was nearing the end of his life. The song reminded the listener that they can choose to see sun or showers around themselves,” Vince reflects. “We found that sun when we recorded this tune.”
The track features an all-star ensemble. This includes celebrated talents like Charlie Wooton laying down his signature bass lines, Daniel Groover and Peter Oravetz’s electrifying guitar performances, Michael Lemmler weaving rich and intricate textures on keys, and Doug Belote’s energy shown through his drum work. Mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, the song is both a sonic and spiritual masterpiece.
This journey is just the beginning for Massey. With his music resonating across boundaries and his artistry pushing the envelope, the world will undoubtedly be seeing a lot more of him in the months and years to come. It is confirmed that Box of Rain will be the cover song from Massey’s debut album, Reason For Being, set to release on April 18, 2025. So, stay tuned, because he is just getting started.