Heaven means a lot of different things to different people and cultures around the globe, but for singer-songwriter Greg Gilman of LA-based Americana rock band Greg in Good Company, it’s here and now, in every joyous moment spent with loved ones.
Just days after recording folk-rock anthem Heaven Is a Moment Here with You with producer Mitchell Haeuszer in LA last summer, Greg embarked on a cross-country road trip back to the Pennsylvania farm he grew up on to help his mother move to the Kansas City area to start a new chapter in her life. He used his iPhone to capture the journey through America’s heartland, one moment at a time, and edited the footage together to create his most personal music video yet.
“It’s always a great experience to tour this beautiful country, but it was especially meaningful to travel with my mom, and an experience I never expected to have, since I live on the other side of the country in southern California,” Greg says. “Moments like this, I think, are exactly what I’m singing about in the song, even though it wasn’t written with my mom in mind. I hope it reminds listeners, of any belief system, to appreciate the people and experiences that make life worth living.”
The music video takes viewers on a ride from his hometown, Center Valley, Pennsylvania, to the Kansas City, Missouri, where Greg was finally able to perform on stage in front of his mother, for the first time. “I was a closeted singer-songwriter growing up, and didn’t really start playing publicly until I was living in California at the age of 26,” Greg says. “This cross-country trip finally gave me the opportunity to give her a proper show, so it was a real bucket list moment for me.” After spending a few days with his family, he hit the road again, taking viewers through the Southwest, all the way back to Los Angeles.
Greg in Good Company — which also includes pianist/co-vocalist Lee, lead guitarist Marty Vites, bassist Alex U’Ren and drummer Alexa Brinkschulte — released their debut album, American Way, in 2018. By 2019, fan-favorite single Monster’s Lair was in regular rotation on LA’s beloved adult alternative station 88.5 FM, and buzz began to build.
“The songs are written for you to think, reflect and question. And that, is a very good thing,” wrote OnStage Magazine after listening to the record, which Impose Magazine described as “a stirring, heartfelt experience” and The Odd Nugget praised as “rock with a dose of depth.”
Greg was invited to join acclaimed artist collective Flight of Voices, to perform alongside multiple Grammy winners, including Black Eyed Peas co-founder and musical director Printz Board. His band was set to tour through America’s heartland this summer to play the Red Ants Pants Music Festival in Montana, but of course, the COVID-19 crisis cancelled those plans.
“It’s a bummer we can’t play live music right now, but life is about so much more. I’ve been enjoying the creative solitude as well as moments with some of my closest friends and family,” Greg says. “I hope this song and video provides comfort to listeners during this historically difficult time, and reminds them to be grateful for what they have right here, right now.”
