“Box of Rain” has always been a song that carries an emotional weight, deeply intertwined with themes of love, loss, and the healing power of music.

Originally written by Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh as a poignant farewell to his father, it has since become one of the band’s most cherished and resonant tracks.

When Phil Lesh passed away in October of 2024, MASSEY found himself reflecting on the profound connection he has with this song. In collaboration with Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, he has created a new, rock-infused version of “Box of Rain” that pays tribute to Lesh’s legacy while breathing new life into the timeless classic.

Released today, this re-imagined rendition is much more than a cover. This is a wonderful tribute to one of MASSEY’s all-time favorite songs and a celebration of the enduring spirit of the Grateful Dead.

Working alongside an exceptional group of musicians including Charlie Wooton, Daniel Groover, Peter Oravetz, Michael Lemmler, and Doug Belote, MASSEY brought his vision to life at Dockside Studio, with the track being elevated by the mastery of JoeBaby Michaels and Abbey Road Studios.

But the journey didn’t end with the recording. The release is accompanied by a vibrant music video that allows listeners to experience “Box of Rain” in a new visual context. Directed by Jim Mimna, the video complements the song’s messages of connection and healing while also inviting a new generation of fans to discover the beauty in this timeless piece.

In this interview, MASSEY opens up about the inspiration behind reinterpreting “Box of Rain”, the collaborative process with Vince Herman and the emotional journey of revisiting a song so deeply connected to both personal and wider themes:

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

This is a cover of the Grateful Dead song Box of Rain. It is one of the few Dead songs written by bass player Phil Lesh, who passed away a couple months ago, just as we were preparing to record all the tracks for the upcoming MASSEY debut album: Reason For Being. JoeBaby Michaels, the founder and head of my label, Bent River Records, who is also my producer, had instructed that it would be a good idea to include a cover.

When Phil passed I immediately thought of Box of Rain. It is just about my very favorite Grateful Dead song. It has always struck me in a deeply profound and emotional way. And with Phil’s passing, I thought it was very appropriate. We did agree it should be a more edgy rock version, one of my natural styles, which I feel we accomplished, while still totally respecting and paying homage to the original, and Phil. 

It’s important to note that this is a duet with Vince Herman, a founding member of Leftover Salmon. A long time friend of JoeBaby’s, they had never worked together, and they agreed this would be a perfect, heartfelt song for them, and me, to collaborate. Vince is one of the nicest, sweetest, rockstars you’ll ever meet. And I believe our work together on this song shines the light.

2. What inspired this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

The song was written by Phil as his dad was dying. I believe it’s a metaphor of love, loss, and the personal peace and healing that’s available to all of us. It’s very beautiful. And I was always emotionally affected by it, as with much of the music I deeply love, from the actual music first, even more than the words.

3. What was the process of making this video?

The video is so excellently done by our videographer Jim Mimna. He combined the studio footage of me and Vince, as well as the amazing players in our band: Charlie Wooton on bass, Peter Oravetz on lead guitar, Daniel Groover on guitar, Michael Lemmler on keys, and Doug Belote on drums; Paired with very effusive illustrated images that, like the song lyrics, suggest deep emotional meaning but allow for interpretation by the viewer.