Introducing: Gowanus Radio Orchestra, Daniel Messé's Hem side-project

Daniel Messé's Gowanus Radio Orchestra features singer Caroline Pernick and other members of Hem. Listen to two songs below.  

Apparently, there's still a way overdue new Hem album in the works but the group's mainman Daniel Messé has begun a new collaboration with New York musical theatre rising star Caroline Pernick (A Walk On The Moon, Like Father). The ensemble has been dubbed the "Gowanus Radio Orchestra" in keeping with the Gowanus Canal-inspired nomenclature employed for other Hem-associated musical ventures since the GRO involves his Hem bandmates Steve Curtis, George Rush and Dawn Landes along with many string playing friends. 

Daniel recently spoke enthusiastically about the new project in a Facebook posting which you can view here. Fans of Hem will find lots to like about the two brilliantly orchestrated tracks they've released so far. Check out "In A Cavern, In A Canyon" and "Dark Out" from their forthcoming album Sea Of Lakes below. 

Adds Daniel... 

"Dear Friends, your response to the Gowanus Radio Orchestra song was so very gratifying! After years of working on this album in private, it feels good to finally crack open the door and share a glimpse of what we've been up to. Here is the tentative track-list for the upcoming album, titled "Sea of Lakes":

Sunrise / Draw Your Sun in the Corner / Still Life With Bathtub / The Do-Over / There’s a Hole / In a Cavern, In a Canyon / White Out / Charm Bracelet / A Shipwrecked Fool (am I) / Old Growth / Vespers / Plague Song aka “Flowerprint” (note: still deciding on title) / Sea of Lakes / Dark Out / Sunrise Waltz / Outtake: Apart at the Seams

"You can help us complete this album by pre-ordering the album via our kickstarter campaign (see below). Lots of rewards to choose from as well. Thank you for helping to make this dream a reality!"

To help meet the production costs of GRO's planned 15-song recording, Messé launched a crowd-funding campaign and with 9 days left to go, they're over half way to their goal of $28,580 (Canadian). Those who would like to contribute should visit their Kickstarter page right here. 

NOTE: Anyone interested in supporting the completion of the GRO's debut album had better act fast. If the target isn't reached by the deadline – set for Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 7 pm EDT – contributors won't be charged and unfortunately, the album won't get made.