Our Day in the Sun, as well as three previous albums released under the name We are Jeneric, were recorded entirely at The Kirk Estate, Altamont, NY, the haunted 19th century farmhouse 30 minutes outside of Albany where Eric Krans and Jen O’Connor have lived since 2006. The farmhouse sits on 5 ½ acres of land situated at the foot of the Helderberg Escarpment, tucked in against nature trails and waterfalls that empty into the creek at the North side of the property. The stream eventually turns into the Normanskill (as documented in the song “Both of Our Sake” In the Parlor With the Moon). The house has been called a “living museum,” and has been curated by O’Connor with artifacts spanning five generations of her family. There is the sense that one is stepping back in time – no clocks, no microwave, no television, rotary telephones. Heirloom feedsack quilts are draped alongside décor crafted by O’Connor, paintings by her maternal grandmother hang beside works by Krans. Velvet settees, a gramophone, a large ornate gold leaf mirror from a dismantled Albany train station all inform the feel of the place and of the couple’s music. The kitchen is filled with produce grown on the couple’s 3,000 square feet of organic gardens. Young fruit trees the couple planted grow along side aging pear and apples planted by their ancestors.
The Kirk Estate is said to be haunted by O’Connor’s ancestors. As a child Jen experienced a visit from her great-great grandfather whom she had never seen a picture of, but who she later described in stunning detail to her mother and grandfather. On several occasions there have been reports of hearing the piano playing on its own, which is always attributed to Aunt Margaret. Witnesses of this include Jen and Eric who experienced this in their first month living at The Kirk Estate.
“The parlor is the band’s music room. It’s where they write, rehearse and have recorded all four of their albums. Yet, the two talk about the space as if it’s another member of their band, in fact, the most important member of the band. “This place has informed our music more than anything. How can you not pay homage to the biggest inspiration you’ve ever stumbled upon?”” Metroland