A rising West Michigan mainstay more than a decade ago, the folk-driven Potato Moon hints that its first album in 10-plus years may be in the works. Find out what band members are up to now.
Potato Moon as The Lonely Jones: Band members played their characters to the hilt. (Courtesy Photo)
EDITOR’S NOTE: As Local Spins celebrates its 10th year covering West Michigan’s music scene, the online magazine has rolled out some new features for 2022, including the ‘Whatever Happened To’ series which digs into what became of high-profile West Michigan artists and bands who’ve moved or disappeared from the scene. Find out what they’re up to now and scroll down to watch videos and listen to some of their classic tracks.
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At the peak of its powers more than a decade ago, Potato Moon held West Michigan’s music scene in the palm of its family-focused, harmony-hued hand.
The folk-driven, bluesy, Americana-leaning outfit built around the Stancil family – Ben, Jane, Phil Sr., Laura and Phil Jr. – rose to prominence as an in-demand band with a series of acclaimed, top-notch albums.
They created a mesmerizing, sometimes-baffling mystique around their recordings and performances, even at one point changing the band’s name to The Lonely Jones, with members playing characters within the “Jones family” to further enhance this musical dream.
Rockford Brewing: Potato Moon’s last public appearance in 2017. (Photo/Local Spins)
But careers and relocations interrupted that intoxicating vision: Potato Moon released its last official album in 2012 and last played together – as part of a reunion show – at Rockford Brewing in 2017.
“So many wonderful memories. For us, it was a decade of family memories,” said multi-instrumentalist Ben Stancil, who led Potato Moon’s charge back in the day.
“It has become part of our family folklore and mythology. I remember how excited we were to crack our way into the local venues. It didn’t seem like an easy thing back in the day. We’d drop off CDs, make phone calls, pester bar owners and venue managers.”
LISTEN: Potato Moon, “Hey Yeah” (from 2004’s “Carnival”)
Those efforts eventually paid off, with the charismatic Potato Moon soaring to the top of the list for many booking agents while unfurling their singular, retro-flavored vibe.
“We were so thrilled when we got to play at Billy’s Lounge, Founders Brewing, The Intersection, One Trick Pony, Wealthy Theatre, Meijer Gardens,” Stancil recalled.
“We played so much: weddings, funerals, boat cruises, concerts in the park, theaters, graduation parties. We’d do little mini-tours on the lakeshore and in northern Michigan (playing) Blissfest, Dunegrass, Wheatland.”
WHERE THEY ARE NOW AND WHAT MIGHT BE ON THE HORIZON
But that didn’t last, as job and geographical moves eventually caught up with the band.
Ben now teaches college composition for Montcalm Community College; Jane started the Oh So Clean company in East Grand Rapids; drummer Jimmy Schultz runs the James Schultz Builders construction company. Guitarist Michael Sullivan, meanwhile, lives in New Hampshire, manages a small contracting firm and hosts a music series at a vineyard.
The youngest Stancil siblings, Phil Jr. and Laura, now make their home in Los Angeles, Calif., first performing as a duo and eventually forming the band The Morning Yells, which blends Americana, pop, folk and rock. Listen to their latest single here.
LISTEN: The Morning Yells, “Riddle”
“We don’t stick rigidly to one genre and take influences from a lot of stuff,” Phil said of The Morning Yells, which released an album, “On the Lash,” in 2019, with plans for a follow-up recording and West Coast touring.
“We all love the usual classic songwriters, country, psych-rock and pop rock stuff, and it all finds its way into the mix one way or another.”
The Morning Yells: Phil and Laura Stancil are now part of this L.A. quartet. (Courtesy Photo)
“My fondest memories of Potato Moon were the recording sessions we did at our cottage in Grayling, Mich., for ‘Carnival,’ ‘Midnight Water,’ ‘Life of The Lonely Jones’ and ‘Ghost Sessions.’ The amount of music that came out of short periods of time up there is incredible,” said Phil, now a Realtor by day. His sister, Laura, works for a non-profit organization focused on homeless outreach.
‘EVERYONE ALWAYS LOVED THE SIBLING HARMONIES’
Phil still marvels at the spontaneity of the band’s songwriting and the spirit of its live performances.
“Everyone (in Potato Moon) was completely on, and most of it was written on the spot. Everyone was just having such a great time and it jelled,” he recalled.
A Decade On: Potato Moon in concert in 2012 (Photo/Local Spins)
“The live shows around that time were also really great. I think the band and music stood out due to the energy of the live shows, the songs and the harmonies. Everyone always loved the sibling harmonies.”
Whether the world hears those harmonies again anytime soon is anyone’s guess. There’s nothing currently planned in terms of live reunion shows, though Phil and Laura do get back to West Michigan for visits a few times a year.
And Ben insisted the Stancils “are working on some recorded material and a potential album release this summer.” If that comes to fruition, he said Potato Moon will “definitely do some live shows to coincide with that.”
In many ways, it’s still all about that special family chemistry developed over years of performances and studio work.
“When you are together so much,” Ben said, “there’s a sort of camaraderie that develops.”
LISTEN: Potato Moon, “In the Mornin'” from “The Ghost Sessions” (2012)
VIDEO: Potato Moon at Rockford Barnstormer (2012)
VIDEO: Potato Moon, “Give Your Heart To Me” (2011)
VIDEO: Potato Moon at Tip Top Deluxe (2011)
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