Ten Mile Tide Returns: "Healing Loss with Music"

The group Ten Mile Tide first came to my attention via their wonderful guitarist Jason Munning and his work with Berkeley songwriter Cas Lucas and his band. Munning's laid back, yet beautiful, fluid style really complimented Lucas' originals, so much so that it compelled me delve into his own group, Ten Mile Tide. What I found I was a musical triumph amid personal tragedy. The last two years have been a rocky ride for this San Francisco-based Americana/Fiddle-rock sextet. Their band has gone from national success to burnout to tragedy and back again. Their first shows of 2008 began at the Fillmore's famed Poster Room last Saturday and continues through Sunday at Potrero Hill's Connecticut Yankee.

In January 2006, Ten Mile Tide was nominated for a Jammy for the New Groove of the Year. In March, they released their third and much anticipated self-titled album that redefined the band’s sound, and was met with strong reviews to debut in the Top 50 Americana charts in the U.S. and Europe. The quintet teamed up with Mt. High Booking out of Boulder, CO and found the selves touring extensively and profitably. From an outsider’s perspective, Ten Mile Tide seemed unstoppable, having played the major festivals, receiving regular audiences of 1000 +, and having a fan sponsored/organized festival held in their honor.

From the band mates’ perspective, the weekly rollercoaster between gigs, airports and hotel rooms, was beginning to cause what hard-working musicians refer to as “musician burnout”. They became frustrated and irritable, most often with the people they loved and lines of communication were failing. They decided Mulberry Mountain Music Festival, at the end of September 2006, would be their last show of the year—and the unspoken sentiment was it might be quite some time before their next tour; that is, if they were to tour again.

Less then a month into the hiatus, Ten Mile Tide was hit with a devastating tragedy. Nathan Munning--tour manager, best-friend, and adored little brother of the twins Jason and Justin Munning, overdosed and died on Oct. 16th, 2006, 24 days before his 27th birthday. Time stopped. The remaining days of 2006 and most of 2007 were dark times for the Munning twins. The absence of Nathan’s infectious energy left a gaping hole in their foundation. The twins struggled with grief, depression, heartache, and loneliness almost too powerful to bear.

“What helped me most was music. It took me a long time to be able to start channeling my sadness in the form of music, but once I did it was the most cathartic experience I could ever have. When I would get so sad that I couldn’t shake it, I picked up my guitar and played until the music I was playing matched what I was feeling,” recalls Jason. “Two years before Nathan died we played a show in Salmon, ID and a woman came up to me and told me that her best friend had just lost a son, and that our music was what got her and her family through—kept them breathing in and out and getting out of bed each morning. I was moved at the time but had no way of knowing just how powerful that was. Now I know. Music is the ultimate way of connecting on a deep emotional level with people.”

Ten Mile Tide put aside their differences and united in Nathan’s loss. “When your whole world is shattered by grief, nothing matters anymore.” says Jason, “Everything mundane is stripped away and you are left with the single most important thing - Love.”

The music community stepped up. Emails and phone calls from friends and fans poured in, offering heartfelt thoughts and urging them to continue playing. In the fall of 2007, Ten Mile Tide answered with a mini tour in the NorthEast, and returned to Mulberry Mountain; where the twins had last seen their brother alive. This circle confirmed their belief in each other and the music they together make.

Ten Mile Tide is looking forward to a rewarding 2008. They’re hitting their native state of California for a two week tour the end of February and into March, booking festivals, spring and fall national tours, and are working on songs for a new album. Nathan’s nature and spirit remain the inspiration for the Tide. “It’s been over a year and Nathan is still the first thing I think of when I wake up,” explains Jason, “the second thing is that I have to keep making music. And I have to keep playing with Ten Mile Tide. The band, the friends, the fans—these are my family and I need to be with them.”

Welcome them back and lift their spirits; their music will surely lift yours.

Ten Mile Tide
Sunday, March 8th @ the Connecticut Yankee
100 Connecticut Street, Potrero Hill, SF
415-552-4440