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I Love You - mp3 |
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A: It’s been the busiest year of my life so far, and I’ve cherished every quiet moment I’ve managed to sneak in. When I was writing for this record, I found that most of the songs had a natural hush. So, Listening ended up a very quiet record that explores dreams and disappointment, wonder and worry, and relationships, both vertical and horizontal.
It’s perfect for a mellow, rainy night or an early morning. It’s a driving-a-long-way-home-late record, and a cup-of-cocoa-on-a-cold-afternoon record, and a looking-up-at-the-summer-stars-with-headphones-on record. It’s even got a bit of a hipster-dinner-party-background-music possibility. I wanted to make a record that didn’t demand attention, but came by it honestly and earnestly.
“Listening” was recorded at Alex the Great in Nashville, which has been home to a number of fine musical projects including Jump Little Children, Josh Rouse and Butterfly Boucher. We tucked ourselves inside its warm, cozy walls and hid out for a few early spring days while it rained cats and dogs outside.
I got awfully lucky when we put the band together. What a treat to live in Music City where these fabulously talented folks roam around! This is the section where I name-drop like a champ: Players and engineers on “Listening” include Audley Freed (The Black Crowes, Jimmy Page), Gabe Dixon (Paul McCartney, Maura O’Connell, OAR), Jen Gunderman (The Jayhawks, Dag, Caitlin Cary), Steve Ebe (Dixie Chicks, Kim Richey), Chris Cottros (Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Kami Lyle), Neal Cappellino (Allison Krauss, Dolly Parton), Peter Finney (Allison Moorer, Patti Loveless) Tim Marks (Delbert McClinton, Jessi Alexander), Jeremy Ferguson (Apollo Up, Josh Rouse, Swan Dive), Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Patti Griffin, Paula Cole), and recording artists Linnae Cappellino and Sara Beck. We made quiet a racket recording these quiet songs.
Want the Behind-the-Music story on this album? Head to “News” and check out the March 31 entry. It’s quite a story. Especially the part about Neil Young.
Demo - Just As Blue - mp3
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Starting
Now - mp3 |
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A: At almost every show since the release of the first record, I've been asked "Why didn't you put such-and-such-song on your record?" Often, the only answer I had handy was "Someday I will." So here it is Someday and these are the Someday Sessions: live, simple and begging to have you sing along.
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This
Road Ends In Water - mp3 |
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A: This record is so special to me. Getting to team up for an album with my great friend and writing partner Josh Elson was a huge treat. Working with a group of unbelievably talented players and having Dexter Green's super sharp ear for production made this record come alive. Players include Dexter Green, Steve Ebe, Robbie Harrington, Matt Thompson, Chris Cottros, Michael Inge and Rachael Gill Taylor. Between visits back and forth to San Francisco, CA and Nashville, TN, we've found pieces of ideas that have turned into songs that have turned into a record that we are proud of. If not for love, this record would have never come to be.