Watchhouse - Better Way (Official Video)

ON WATCHHOUSE:

Dearest Friends:

We’re very excited to share some foundational news today—our band is now called Watchhouse. It’s a new name to carry this music you know as Mandolin Orange into the future. We’d love to tell you a little more about it, and share our new video and song, Better Way.

Watchhouse comes from a memory—a place where I spent memorable, secluded, and meditative time as a teenager. During those same years I learned how music wasn’t just something that happened. It’s a place, it’s gravity (Strawberry Fields was the song that did it). It was an escape, and I began spending all my time there. I wrote song after song, and found someone to share it with when I met Emily.

This past year has been the first time we’ve stayed still since we were 21, and the pause gave us the opportunity to sit with ourselves and set intentions. We have long been burdened by the dichotomy between our band name and the music we strive to create—if you’ve heard the songs, you know they are personal. Now that we can see a future where music is a shared experience again, we're defining the space we share with you on a stage or in your headphones, and making it one that welcomes our creativity and anyone who wants to listen.

We are lucky that Mandolin Orange means something to many people, and have no intention of leaving behind our older material. It’s as important to us as ever, and we can’t wait to bring it back to your ears as Watchhouse, alongside a brand new album that we're particularly fond of (news soon!). Thank you for hearing our music—we owe something to anyone still reading this and can’t wait to continue this journey with you.

With love and gratitude,
Andrew & Emily/Watchhouse

SONG CREDITS:
Written by: Andrew Marlin (Tiptoe Tiger Publishing, BMI)
Produced by: Josh Kaufman & Andrew Marlin

Performed by:
Andrew Marlin - Singing, Mandolin, Nylon String Guitar
Emily Frantz - Fiddle, Singing
Josh Oliver - Acoustic Guitar, 12 String Guitar, Electric Guitar
Clint Mullican - Upright Bass
Joe Westerlund - Drums, Percussion
Josh Kaufman - Organ, Percussion, Electric Guitar

Video Directed by: Lachlan Turczan

#Watchhouse
#BetterWay
#YepRocRecords

[audiophileman]

Here's to a new beginning, Andrew & Emily! Names may change. Times may change. How music affects us never changes. As a man in the last third of his life, I've heard a lot of music over the decades. Yours is some of the best I've ever heard. Keep touching our hearts and souls, and we'll keep listening. 👍💖🎸😎

[unitedsongbirds]

And this is what the gift of music is all about...so much to love here

[cujeu]

Shocked by the name change. It was one of my favorite names to reference. However, talent supersedes a name and I will listen to Emily and Andrew always. Cheers and Wellness

[bryanambrose]

Yep, absolutely love it. They could damn near be singing the phone book, but it's how it all comes instruments, is so good!

[andrewturke]

Well alright. The only constant is change. Mandolin Orange or Watch House, y’all still make incredible, transforming, heartfelt music. 🙏🏼

[manojtilloo]

“Buried in your phone for hours, what a waste of the day” - What powerful words and what beautiful music! You guys are fantastic! ❤️ alright, phone down and eyes closing now to just soak this music up

[danielfros]

The tension in the extended outro to resolve is stunning sonic tightrope that the band walks.

[ZenDragonJP]

Mandolin Orange, or Watchhouse, or whatever you want to go by, keep making wholesome, heartfelt, and sincere music and I will keep listening. This tune is spacey, it's different, it scares me a little that you are changing. And yet change is exciting and I like this direction. Don't know why but Khalil Gibran comes to mind. "And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields. And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief." I grieve for the passing of Mandolin Orange and for the joy of things since passed, but am overjoyed at the birth of Watchhouse and what new moments will bring. "Like the seeds of the pines when the forest burns, they open up to grow and burn again." Love you guys!

[cosmicsunbeams]

Love this ❤ song and Video. It has a light airy feel. Like a mind Trip. Very nice 😊

[bryanambrose]

My father sings opera and holds his own quite well in the folk singing realm, playing his Martin as he goes. So I played this for my Padré; told him of all the songs collectively recorded, and purely accepted through the doorways of my heart, this song, has through the panels of His heart(I pray we know who He is), and ever-so gently moonwalking in and through the doorways of my father's heart, is working to bring us all together as one heart prevailing and seeking life as one. I'll be honest, it's not the words, but the chords, the progressions, the harmonies that lift that passion within us to it's new and enthusiastically united, hand-held heights untouched by ANYTHING normal. Good stuff.

[deborahbrown]

I love your older music and have seen you in concert, but the vibe of this song took me beyond the words. Count me in for wanting more.

[wheelesrollin]

The end of this song sounds like Xanadu.... I absolutely love it

[CoachDave]

If you listen you can feel why they changed the name. This is different. If this is the start then I think we're in for something special the next few years.

[billysmith]

Wow! Really liking this band, New to me. Both are really good singers, songwriters. Melody, Harmony and emotions, Love it ❤️

[shakyhandpictures]

I’m not a big “ music video “ fan but this is at an entirely different level! The use of simple lines with sound is inspired, absolutely outstanding!
This should be award winning, the combination of the band and these amazing graphic interpretations is fantastic!
I love that you’ve had the opportunity to STOP, a rare gift born from a tragic circumstance. Growth means change, change take courage, congrats!
I hope being parents is everything you’d hoped it to be! Thanks for the distraction, well done, again!

[benjaminmiller]

Change is what makes life worth living. Thank you for reminding me of that today... if Mandolin Orange can change and grow, so can I. As a HUGE fan of Mandolin Orange and now Watchhouse, I cannot wait to see what lies ahead on our respective new paths.

[sunnysalmon]

Watch House has been shifting for quite some time, to me, it still sounds like them, a natural evolution.

[stevebrown]

I've been an MO fan for a long time now and cherish all the music and memories. Very much looking forward to what the new Watchhouse coat of paint will bring. As long as Andrew & Emily are behind it, I'm sure it will be most excellent! See you on the road soon?

[susannepiercy]

Nice new song !, I am a madolin player and about 3 years ago another mandolin player turned me on to you all and I am so grateful . I love your alls songwriting and I am constantly sharing those amazingly real story songs with others. I enjoyed you all at Railbird in 2019 and I am going to louisville to see you all again at the Iroquois theatre, can't wait. Blessings

[annetteconant]

I'm sure I can learn to cope as long as you promise me you will never stop making your incredible music! love to you both!