In “Only the Stars Remain,” guitarist Jeff Pearce shares his musical journey during his trip to the Philadelphia area in mid-May 2023. The ambient electronic music album comprises three songs, two of which were recorded during his rehearsal sessions before the trip. The first song, “Beyond and Within,” was initially rehearsed for an Echoes Living Room concert and later performed at the Gathering concert. Pearce reflects on the longevity of his musical career and expresses gratitude to American radio show Echoes for being one of the few programs to support his music in the early years.
The second song, “Only the Stars Remain,” carries a profound story. Pearce composed its main parts on the night of his father’s visitation, after revisiting the family farm where he grew up and discovering the absence of his childhood home and orchard. Despite the changes, the stars remained a constant presence. The recorded version of the song features two acoustic guitars and loop pedals, creating transformative sounds. Although Pearce initially aimed to debut the song at WXPN’s Star’s End set, he found that the emotional stillness required for the piece didn’t align with the live on-air setting. However, the song’s themes were present in his improvisational performance during the show.
The third song, “Of Nostalgia and Goodbyes,” came into existence while Pearce was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike after leaving the Philadelphia area. He quickly hummed some musical notes into his cell phone’s recording app, and then pulled over at a service plaza to work out the arrangement on his guitar. The song reflects Pearce’s contemplation of nostalgia and bidding farewell to friends he had known for a significant portion of his life.
The album was released on June 6, 2023, and presents Pearce’s skills on both electric and acoustic guitars.