Dave Maurischat and Jesse Powers – Woodstock (2026)
With his first solo release, ‘Who Woulda Known’, landing in June 2024, singer-songwriter Dave Maurischat invites audiences to a genre-defying world of sound and song. From pop-punk to indie-folk and psychedelic-rock, the USA-based artist describes and celebrates life in all its dark and bright moments. Having not heard of Maurischat before, this was an intriguing introduction – I mean, what better way to enjoy the week than discovering some new talent.
Joined by USA-based singer-songwriter Jesse Powers, Maurischat tackles the Joni Mitchell track ‘Woodstock’. As an international effort, ‘Woodstock’ was recorded and produced by California-based Maurischat with mixing duties by Poland-based Islam Gaytamirov. Jesse Powers’ vocals and Bryn Brookes’ penny-whistle playing were sent in remotely from Ohio – it really embraces the power of online collaboration.
I’ll admit, I didn’t know ‘Woodstock’ was originally a Joni Mitchell song, having known the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young version. So, listening to Mitchell’s 1970 original was interesting and a little surprising, hearing a female singing the track. Heartfelt and emotional, with Mitchell’s vocals adding an odd haunting, this version isn’t necessarily my favourite, but it did hit a nerve in a good way. What about the Dave Maurischat and Jesse Powers cover?
Leaning further toward the CSNY tone, the combination of Maurischat’s guitar, bass, drums and percussion lay a folk-rock foundation. Easy on the ears with a toe-tapping quality, ‘Woodstock’ perfectly captures the message behind the iconic Woodstock festival. Yet, unlike the other versions, this one opts for female and male vocals, acting like a conversation between two characters. Maurischat explains:
“We felt that the world could use a little “getting back to the garden”, as the song suggests… Jesse’s character in the song (the young woman) is the one who knows the way and invites the male character (Dave) to join her on the path.”
For me, the addition of Brookes’ penny-whistle rolls in well with the folk-inspired vibe, but is also somewhat ear-piercing. It fits in, offering a diverse swing to the track, yet I believe it is out of place. Sincere and sentimental, the track’s theme burns bright in its anthemic suggestion for people to turn around to that garden in today’s uncertain society; I just wonder if that penny whistle was really necessary.
Find out more about Dave Maurischat on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp and Spotify.
Find out more about Jesse Powers on her Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more folk-rock music on The Other Side Reviews Folk Rock playlist:
