The world of 2020 upended lives, but for Goodnight Moonshine, the disruption became fertile ground. Guitarist Eben Pariser and vocalist Molly Venter, seasoned touring musicians, suddenly found themselves tethered to home, raising three children—including newborn twins—while navigating the emotional weight of isolation. Out of this chaos emerged Business Unusual, an album that turns domesticity, exhaustion, and emotional recalibration into a resonant work of folk jazz.
Every track feels both personal and expansive. The record captures the tension of having everything one once dreamed of while feeling completely overwhelmed—a duality that will resonate with parents, caregivers, and anyone balancing ambition with responsibility. Songs like “Kitchen Table” highlight this lens, transforming ordinary routines into moments of quiet revelation.
Musically, the album occupies a rare, compelling space where folk storytelling meets jazz improvisation. Pariser’s guitar is both fluid and deliberate, emphasizing tone and emotion over technical showmanship, while Venter’s voice carries a smoky, lived-in authenticity. Bassist Adam Chilenski and drummer Ryan Sands provide subtle yet anchoring textures, and Grammy co-mixer David Seitz preserves the immediacy of live performance without sacrificing depth.
Business Unusual also redefines what an album can be. In an era of instant streaming, Goodnight Moonshine personally delivered nearly 1,000 physical copies to their community, transforming listening into connection. The record is a meditation on the mundane, a reclamation of time and presence, and a testament to the fact that beauty often arises from the most ordinary moments of life.
