The two words, “thank you,” as a response to the fans who came to Salvo’s Fond Farewell Show, sound as pathetic as a pair of dessicated fungi muffins, and I don’t even know what those are, but they sound awful. I guess I could go all caps—-THANK YOU—-but so? You all deserve so much better than that. So much better.
Prior to the show, I didn’t think I would become as emotional as I did. I sometimes forget that I have what metallurgists call “eutexia.” Easily melted. It was even hard to sing, sometimes, because my heart was crushed up against my vocal chords.
All of you—-some, for years…some for decades–have allowed me to be a small part of your lives, me and my ragtag band of musical misfits. How can I show my gratitude? How can I say what it means to play a song and have a crowd of smiling people sing right along with it, like a choir from some part of Heaven where God has specifically cordoned off a riotous No Hymns/No Christian Rock section because He just wants to hear joyful people singing about whatever they want, for no other reason than that it makes them feel spectacular and reminds them to be unafraid.
I know there has been plenty of sadness and heartbreak for you and for me over the years. There’s no getting around that. But I want to thank each of you—-whether you could make the final show or not—-for choosing to carry us with you through it all. No band ever had better fans, and no fans have ever been better friends.
God bless.
-Dan Lord
NEWS: I’ve been working away at three projects.
1. A new non-fiction book I’ve been commissioned to write, title and subject matter to be declared soon. It is meant to be entertaining, funny, educational, strange, and inspiring; I guess you’ll be the judge of how near or far I come to crafting a monster with those parts.
2. Wild Goose Chase, the first full album by Dan Lord & His Goblin Orchestra. Some excellent, talented people are contributing their musicianship. I can’t wait for everybody to hear it! It will be available on CD and vinyl, and on streaming platforms everywhere. Release date TBA.
3. A second album by DL&HGO, with instrumental stuff meant to go with a film or TV adaptation of my book, By the Downward Way.
I’ll keep you posted on everything as I go along!
My friend Adam Guthrie, guitarist and collaborator for Pain and Salvo, has just released his first Guthrie Echoes album, Hearts and Ears, and it’s a beauty. He’s such a top-tier songwriter and producer, and he’s assembled a bevy of impressive singers and players to bring his vision to life: Early James, Heath Green and the Makeshifters, Chad Fisher of St. Paul and the Broken Bones, members of Salvo, including Rachael Wilson, and more. I highly recommend it. ALSO: they’re playing live at the Merry Widow in Mobile, Alabama on September 11, 2026. I’m a big fan of Mobile…if you’re in the Port City area in September, go see Guthrie Echoes!
My cartoon with the obscure pun is now a coffee mug. The writers, editors, and English teachers in your life most likely need one. Email me at thatstrangestofwars at gmail if you’re interested in this limited-time silliness.
There you have it. DLC Newsletter Issue #1 complete. Have a superb August, and thank you for all your ongoing support and encouragement. Cheers! -Dan