The OtherHand

Who are the OtherHand? Each and every one is a stellar artist in their own right, and all are very busy doing their own thing.

Because I seldom gig my own music, the OtherHand has mostly been a studio band, changing from record to record to suit the size and scope of each project. I like to think of it as an ever-increasing circle of musicians: my “go-to” crew.

Jeff Kossack and the OtherHand, four musicians in black and white with the Hollywood sign behind them — Jeff Kossack and the OtherHand.

The core group on Less is the New Black

With its more economical arrangements, this record called for a small but very agile core group. They truly shine on it and treated the music as if it were their own, and I owe them a true debt of thanks.

Nick Kirgo

The OtherHand, on my last three records

I first saw Nick perform with another very talented friend, Lauren Adams, and I was knocked out not only by what he did play, but by what he did not play. That is a hard lesson for some players. For Nick it’s just how he rolls, knowing that songs must breathe to be truly great. He’s been with me on my last three records, our sessions remain some of the most effortless and fun work I’ve ever done, and our chemistry just keeps growing. Many thanks, Nick.

Daniel Rhine

Double bass, the OtherHand

Daniel first came to OtherHand while I was producing Phil Christie’s Ghosts of Christmas Past at my studio, and he was called in to play the CD release gig. He was just awesome in rehearsal and onstage, drawing incredible emotion from his double bass. His instincts are a huge reason Less is the New Black sounds so open, and yet so rich. Much love, brother.

Ed Tree

Guitar, the OtherHand

If you’ve frequented L.A.’s acoustic scene, it would be near impossible not to know of Ed’s immense talent: perhaps the most prolific producer of singer-songwriters in Los Angeles, a longtime member of the Spencer Davis Group, and a fellow member of the Talls. I met Ed during the halcyon days of Billy Block’s Western Beat in the early ’90s, and even then he was a legend. If and when I ever grow up, I wanna be him. Respect, my brother.

A funny Nick story

After all our years working together, I recently told Nick he’d been pronouncing my last name wrong since we met: it’s “KO-zak, not KAH-sack”. He laughed. Then he told me I’d been butchering his name all these years too: “KEER-go, not Kur-go”. We both laughed, and we have it straight now.

My post-production team

These two were the “ears after the ears”. And if you’re making a record, don’t skimp on this part.

Alf Rodenas

Mixing

One of the “ears after the ears”. Thank you, Alf, for working patiently with me and making the mixes better than I could have done on my own.

Marc DeSisto

Mastering

Marc, your mastering was perfection. If you do not know exactly what mastering is, look it up; Marc is certainly among the best.

Guest artists

I love unusual instrumentation, and I love making music with friends. Luckily, I have a large and wonderful network of talented artist friends who joined Nick, Daniel, Ed and me on this project. Thanks to each and every one of them for keeping the vibe of the record intact, even though most played on only the one tune where they were featured.

Special props to Joee Corso on backing vocals, for adding texture to the record, and to Janeen Rae Heller for making “My Life Fits” so hauntingly beautiful.