John Whoever and Who Are They perform the music of John VandenOever, an Iowa-born musician who returned to performing music after many years pursuing work and interests in pastoral ministry, writing, art and photography. During that time he honed his songwriting and performing skills, returning to venues and stages in the New York area when his body of work reached a kind of critical mass in 2011. He formed the band John Whoever and Who Are They with Ray Labella on bass, John Dyer on guitar, and Brett Thompson on drums. Their first CD,"What Is This" appeared in January 2013. That album also featured guest performances by artists such as saxophonist Erik Lawrence (Levon Helm Band) and Hudson Valley blues legend Chip Larison.The new album,"What On Earth," arrives in June of 2015 with much excitement on the part of both band and fans. VandenOever believes that among the many things that raises this album to a new level is a greater attention to the selection of songs to create a collection in which each song relates to the others and contributes to the whole as a work of art."The first CD basically was made up of songs that got special compliments at performances," he says."So even though there was a good flow to the album, it also had a little of the feel of a 'greatest hits.' And perhaps there was a little more of the folky, songwriter type thing on there. On this album there is a better sense of pace, of momentum toward a dramatic climax." Indeed, VandenOever feels that"What On Earth," while filled with some of his best songs to date, is greater than the sum of its parts."I know lots of people don't listen to complete albums anymore, but my wish is that many people will take time to hear this one through. I think it just might do what some of the great albums of the past have done, rewarding listeners at the beginning and all the way through to the end."