Bio : The Cactus Blossoms

At its best, harmony duo singing can transform simple math into a magic trick. One plus one, instead of equaling two, suddenly yields an unexpected third thing. An upper-case ONE. A universal hum. A deep vibration that encompasses two different points of view. On their latest release, Every Time I Think About You, brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey, aka The Cactus Blossoms, once again prove themselves to be among the most adept - and distinctive – modern practitioners of that magic. But like any great magician, The Cactus Blossoms can’t - or won’t - fully explain the illusion they create.

“Harmonies are a big part of our sound, but in some ways they’re the part we focus on the least,” says Burkum. “We put most of our attention and energy into the songs themselves and then the harmonies just happen.”

There’s all kinds of magic happening on Every Time I Think About You, a record that sounds more like a band than any other in the Cactus Blossoms discography, thanks to contributions from Jeremy Hanson (drums), Jacob Hanson (guitar) - yes these Blossoms contain two sets of brothers - and Phillip Hicks (bass). “Something's Got A Hold On Me” is pure Saturday night two-steppin' joy, “Keep Walkin'” has a T. Rex strut, and “There She Goes” casts its romantic regret against a danceable bop beat. “Statues” is a gorgeous meditation on the weight of permanent honor, and the title track is a heart-wrencher about loss and letting go. 

“Even if you don’t set out to write songs with a theme in mind it seems like one usually presents itself,” says Torrey. “This record keeps returning to the idea of ‘moving on’ — from one place to another, from people and situations that bring you down, from loss and grief.” 

And while the album may be defined by movement, nearly every element of Every Time I Think About You - from the recording to the artwork - is rooted in home. The sessions for the new record were captured at Creation Audio, in Minneapolis. “It has a storied history,” says Torrey. Designed and built by the late, legendary engineer Bruce Swedien (Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand) in 1958, the studio has yielded classic records from The Trashmen's “Surfin' Bird” to Dave Dudley “Six Days On The Road” and The Replacements' album Tim.

After woodshedding for several months, the band entered Creation more prepared - and more open to serendipity - than ever before. Torrey explains, “When we went into the studio we had seen the map, so we had a general idea of where we were, but it was the first time we had hiked up the hill to take a look around. It was fresh and exciting. We had a foundation to build on.”

Longtime collaborator Alex Hall co-engineered (alongside Tom Herbers) and mixed the sessions. “Alex is kind of our director of photography on the movie,” says Torrey. “We trust his instincts. Aside from engineering and mixing, he also played all of the piano and organ parts on the record.” 

Art for Every Time I Think About You is centered around a work by George Morrison, a Minnesota-native, activist and one of the founders of the Native American Modernism movement. Titled “Spirit Path. New Day. Red Rock Variation: Lake Superior Landscape,” it hangs in the Minnesota Museum of American Art.

“We wanted something expansive, ominous, wild, and meditative for the cover art,” says Torrey. “George Morrison’s painting of Lake Superior captures that range of emotion. The stillness of the horizon in the distance above the crashing waves of red and magenta on the rocky shore.”

Speaking of horizons, The Cactus Blossoms have a busy 2024 ahead, with an extensive headlining tour, an appearance at Nashville's Americana Fest, and more. But as always, there’s no place like home. “We’re looking forward to getting the album out and playing a big Twin Cities release show” says Burkum. “Our hometown shows are always such a boost and it’s a special thing to play for our fans and friends that have been with us for so long.”