Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Let's talk about everything

It's been a weird year for me filled with loss and possibility. I won't get too far into the loss, because, hey, we all get enough shit in our lives already without me adding to your pile. So let's skip to the brighter days of 2010, which actually started in 2009 (and which, coincidentally, so did the loss).

It all started with letters from a friend I've never met, who decided out of the kindness of his amazing heart that he would like for our band to make a record and would cover the costs associated with doing so. Were it not for his modesty and request to remain anonymous in this process, I would be screaming his name to the heavens, but out of respect for his request this is about all I will say about him.

OK - I know that I said I wouldn't talk about the loss, but it's essential to this story, so I'm sorry. In trying to verify the timeline of this story, I discovered that the same day I sent our prospective budget off to this fine patron, I got a call from my mother letting me know that she had had a scan of some kind (CT, PET?) and that it had shown what the radiologist believed to be loads of cancer in her lungs. Further tests confirmed this and also showed that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. The prognosis was bleak and my mom's illness became the central focus of my life. This was in September of 2009. On January 15, 2010, she passed away and I disappeared into what might be the longest and snowiest winter I will ever endure.

Some time in late spring, I reemerged and began thinking again about what kind of life my mom would want me to lead. She was always my greatest champion and my biggest fan. So this led me back to the album. My dear friend, who would probably like to remain anonymous as well, but failed to make that request in advance and shall therefore be named: Jason Ross, put me in touch with famed producer Brian Paulson, who had worked on Jason's last album, Day & Nightdriving (If you haven't listened to this, the album is amazing), along with albums for Wilco, Son Volt and Beck.

Much to my surprise, Brian not only called me back, but agreed to produce our album. So on July 9, 2010 we all met up at Greg Rike Productions in Florida to begin work on the tentatively titled, Secret Family. We only had nine days in the studio and planned to record eleven songs. I'd love to say that we finished the thing with time to spare, but the fact is, we're still working on it. All of the big stuff is done, but now we're adding oooooos and space sounds and flanged triangle parts. The experience in Florida was truly amazing and one that I will never forget - so, so much fun. I know that when we release this thing (hopefully in November) it will be an album that I will be proud of for the rest of my life.

Wow. I just erased a ton of sappy sentiment and will instead just say thank you for reading this and that I love what I do.



2 comments:

  1. Thanks for putting it all out there Steve. Always looking forward to your output, whether through song or something different.
    Jason

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  2. Really glad to see you sharing all this, Steve. It's been a true joy to hear the music evolving over the past few years -- and I don't typically use the word "joy," so you know I mean it. Can't wait to hear the collaboration with Brian - I'll be expecting lots of Auto-Tune. And God knows there isn't enough flanged triangle in music these days.

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