Last week included the final performance of The French Henchmen for a while, as my partner in crime is heading to grad school at Indiana University. It was a successful gig, and we were quite solid. Over the last year, we’ve enjoyed a twice-a-month residency at The Brass Cafe & Saloon, along with various other gigs. Furthermore, though the group is now a duo, The French Henchmen actually started out as a trio with Pat Harris (my musical other) in 2004, and we’ve played together in various groups since 2003. In other words, we’ve done a lot of playing together through the years. And it shows.

There really is no substitute for time. I’ve played in many short-lived groups with regular, involved rehearsal regimens, and the product has usually been pretty good. In fact, Nate and I used to rehearse many hours each week together in various groups. However, the simple fact that we’ve played and performed together for six years does so much for our musical interaction, and no amount of rehearsal with another, younger group could replace that. Over time we have developed a particular repertoire, sound, and niche that sets The French Henchmen apart. Along with that, the countless hours we’ve played together have allowed us to musically communicate in a way that makes words unnecessary, and we’re consistently able to take familiar tunes to new places and surprise even ourselves.

Part of me is being nostalgic, as I’ll miss performing as The French Henchmen on a regular basis (though future gigs are definitely in the works). And I’m obviously partial to the group, as I’m 50% of the ensemble. But stepping back from those two points, the fact remains that a big reason (arguably the biggest) for the group’s success is time. Rehearsing is good, as are gigs. However, allowing time and patience for a group to cultivate a sound and persona are irreplaceable, and something for which there is no shortcut.