In an interview with Chicago Now, previewing his upcoming North Coast Music Festival appearance with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, beloved drummer Joe Russo spoke extensively about his current and future plans.

The interview contained a piece of unfortunate news for Almost Dead fans, as Russo said, “We are going to book dates in 2016, but the goal is certainly to play less Almost Dead shows in the future so we can all focus on all of our other projects. Soooooooo…… get it while it’s hot.”

So just what other projects is he talking about? Well, the Benevento Russo Duo, for one. When asked about their mini reunion at Mountain Jam, Russo said that “it was more of an improv with two humans who used to be in a two person band called The Benevento/Russo Duo. Marco was doing a lil’ workshop and texted me to come play. We just made stuff up for about 20-minutes on some terribly cheesy rental equipment.”

But he is open to reuniting the duo. “It’s always fun any chance I get to play with my buddy Marco. It’s nice to check in on that space from time to time and see we still have that connection. I’m ready to do the Duo again. I think it would be great to do at least do one proper show with all the tunes and our mass of crazy gear. I miss those songs and I miss that style of performance. It was purely us.”

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Russo also said he’s heavily involved with Bob Weir’s “cowboy album” project:

“I’ve also been recording a lot with Weir for his new ‘cowboy’ record. It’s been such a great pleasure getting to work with Bob outside of Furthur. I think there were times I “had” to play a certain way in that (Furthur) setting, that rubbed up against Bob’s concept a bit and it’s been a really great experience getting to come in as the drummer/musician I’ve always been, outside of the Dead world, and feel like peers making new music. It’s been a very fun, comfortable environment in the studio and Bob is just an incredible man. It feels really good to make a deeper, post-Furthur, musical connection with him. That all said, I can’t wait for this record to come out! The songs are incredible and Josh Kaufman is producing the hell out of it! It’s going to be very special record and I’m truly honored to be a part of it.”

And he also mentioned his love for keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, who performed with the Dead for “Fare Thee Well” and will reprise that role for the new Dead & Company shows.

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“I will always try to find ways of playing with Jeff Chimenti. He is one of the most talented, humble, incredible people I’ve ever had the chance to play with. The Dead world is damn lucky to have him. He was my lifeline in Furthur. If something wasn’t quite happening on stage, I could always just cue in to Jeff and hop off on a run with him for a while. His playing is always inspired and joyful. Any chance I get to play with Jeff is a great time. I need it to happen more often! Damn long distance relationships.”

We’re certainly excited to see what Joe Russo has in store throughout 2015 and into next year!