B-Side Guys

Hidden in Minnesota’s musical heartland, something beautiful has been growing. Kaleb Braun-Schulz and the Nightingale Band’s latest album, released October 18, 2024, arrives like a collection of perfectly preserved moments, each of its 37 minutes offering glimpses into lives both ordinary and extraordinary.

“Someday Is A Long Long Time” opens the album with the kind of sweeping optimism that recalls Martin Zellar’s best work. The interplay between guitar and piano creates a sonic tapestry that supports rather than overwhelms Braun-Schulz’s earnest vocals. It’s a perfect introduction to the band’s expanded palette, with the seven-piece outfit demonstrating remarkable restraint and timing.

“Early Phases” follows, showcasing the production prowess of Colin Scharf (Good Night Gold Dust, Silver Summer). His power pop sensibilities mesh seamlessly with the band’s folk-rock foundations, creating something that feels both fresh and familiar. The influence of Big Star can be heard in the crisp arrangement, while the emotional delivery recalls The National at their most intimate.

The album hits an early peak with “One Arm Free, No Legs Free,” where Ryan Shirk’s trombone and Brent Ekstrom’s trumpet channel the best of Belle & Sebastian’s orchestral moments. The harmonies here are particularly striking, demonstrating the band’s ability to create moments of pure pop transcendence.

“Unbeatable” provides a moment of reflection before leading into “Vanilla Candle Scene,” a standout track that manages to make familial appreciation feel both profound and infectiously catchy.

The album’s midsection showcases the band’s range, with “Fountain Street” and “Debts” forming a powerful one-two punch. The latter’s driving bass line and horn arrangements create an irresistible groove that proves the Nightingale Band can rock when they want to. Cooper Fuller’s electric guitar work here deserves special mention, adding edge without overwhelming the song’s inherent warmth.

“Turned Out To Be True” and “For Tomorrow” continue the album’s exploration of hope and uncertainty, with Peter Klug’s subtle strumming on the former and Braeden Gatchell’s bass work on both providing a solid foundation for Braun-Schulz’s increasingly confident songwriting.

The album closes with “Willow Hill,” which like “For Tomorrow” was co-written with Andrew Braun and Jenn Melby-Kelley. The song is a bouncing reminder that sometimes not knowing the ending is part of the story’s beauty. When Braun-Schulz sings “We don’t know how the story ends but that’s alright, it’s gonna be alright,” it feels less like blind optimism and more like hard-won wisdom.

What sets “The Things You’ve Kept, You’ll Keep Until…” apart is its careful balance of influences and innovation. While echoes of The Clientele and John Prine can be heard throughout, the Nightingale Band never sounds derivative. Instead, they’ve created something uniquely their own, drawing from Mankato’s rich musical soil to grow something new.

The production throughout is notably accomplished, with Scharf helping to craft arrangements that serve the songs while maintaining a sonic consistency. The use of auxiliary instruments – from pump organ to mellotron flutes – adds color and depth without ever feeling gratuitous.

Lyrically, Braun-Schulz demonstrates a gift for finding universal truth in specific details. Whether he’s singing about relationship uncertainty or maternal appreciation, his words ring true without straining for profundity. The contributions from fellow songwriters Pete Klug and Melby-Kelley add additional depth to the album’s narrative perspective.

For fans of thoughtfully crafted indie folk-rock in the vein of Belle & Sebastian or The National, this album is essential listening. It rewards both casual plays and deeper attention, revealing new layers of musical and lyrical detail with each spin.

At a time when many albums feel like collections of potential singles, “The Things You’ve Kept, You’ll Keep Until…” offers a complete journey. From surreal hillsides to kitchen floors, from thunderstorms to calm seas, Kaleb Braun-Schulz and the Nightingale Band have created a map of the heart’s territory that feels both universal and deeply personal.

As autumn settles over Minnesota, this album arrives like a perfect soundtrack for contemplative walks through falling leaves. It’s a reminder that sometimes the things we keep – hope, love, uncertainty – are exactly what we need until we reach our own Willow Hill.