While my music tastes veer more towards country, CCM, roots-rock, indie and singer-songwriter these days, the reality is this writer was an emo kid from 2000 – 2011 and once emo, always emo. And you can’t talk 2000’s era emo without discussing Brand New.

Last month I referenced the band’s Nashville gig for friends and family only. Since that gig, frontman Jesse Lacey performed a Grammy week, California fires benefit show for friends, family and industry folks only. As with the December Nashville gig, no recording of new material was allowed. But the second gig in two months certainly got the Brand New hive all stirred up. And for good reason. It’s been seven-plus years since we last heard from the band. And it was a band at the top of their game no less. For real, listen to Science Fiction and tell me it doesn’t stir your soul in some capacity.

Well, the music gods have once again gifted Brand New faithful with a Jesse Lacey solo show at Eastside Bowl in Nashville this Sunday. As expected the show sold out and Brand New fans are flying in from all points throughout North America. What does this mean? No one knows quite yet. Brand New has always been taciturn and evasive when it comes to media and public announcements, but one has to think this coming Sunday’s gig is reason for hope and optimism.

New music can’t come soon enough. Here’s to hoping.