Jonathan Francis, formerly of the NJ punk band The Moms (Bar/None Records), has released a cover of “Lungs” by Townes Van Zandt on January 20, 2021 (Inauguration Day). It is the third release in his series of covers and originals recorded at Little Eden in Asbury Park, by Pete Steinkopf of the Bouncing Souls.  

Jonathan says that the dystopian landscape in "Lungs," which was originally painted by Van Zandt in 1969, “believed to be about the horrific ICT treatments he endured, sure seems to be a premonition of what life is like in 2020’s America.”

Francis started developing the new project in 2018 while staying across town at The Albatross Hotel in Ocean Grove. Taking a collection of new songs that he had been developing over the past few years while living in the seasonally depressed city by the sea, Francis took The Moms’ recent breakup and the Fire Marshall condemning his apartment to mean it was time for something new.  Along with the help of his brother and long time music partner Matthew Stolpe (The Moms, MakeWar), the sound started to come alive with Steinkopf’s guidance and some Little Eden magic.

The song follows “Borrowed Song” & “Tear the Fascists Down” which were the first installments of the ‘Borrowed Songs’ series. With more tunes on the way; featuring Francis’ new band, The Anxiety Society, planned for release throughout 2021, these solo tracks are just the beginning.

PHOTO BY ABBY CLARE