"My new album is all recorded.

...Almost two years to the month since I finished my last record.

The last record was made to be really ambitious, really outwardly focused, it was made to seduce you and your headphones for ever and ever, amen. I wanted to prove something to...I don't know who...someone out there. I am pleased that I managed to prove some things to some of them. That alone, is pretty wonderful...I owe you all for that.

This new record, on the other hand, was really devoted to proving something to myself. Instead of staying up nights worrying, "what will THEY think of this?!?"...I stayed up nights worrying, "how am I going to do this?!?". I wanted to prove to myself that I could write something other than introspective indie-rap experiments...big songs for you to sing in your shower...telling stories instead of secrets. That is what I set out to do and I feel pretty damn proud of the final product.
I spent two years writing the whole album, and then recorded it in two 5 day sessions in dallas, with the help and guidance of these marvelous musicians:

John Congleton (the paper chase {produced: explosions in the sky, black mountain, and polyphonic spree, the mountain goats, and more}) captained the ship as the producer, engineer, spiritual advisor, guitarist, mixer, and doplestilskin...blame him for half of the creepy stuff (not ALL of it though) and you can give him credit for the strength of this record...he molded my songs into shiny lil' diamonds.

McKenzie Smith (midlake) made my tinny little ditties into giant anthems with his marvelous drum work, I knew from the first time I heard him play that I HAD to have him on an album...a dream come true. He will always be one of the best drummer I have ever witnessed with my own two eyes.

Sean Kirkpatrick (the paper chase) truly saved so many songs from the trash heap with his beautiful piano and synth. Really...a few songs were touch and go till he came and tickled the ivories. He is so quietly brilliant, be sure to check out his solo project...it is really astounding.

Sarah Jaffe has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard in person, and she is an unbelievable songwriter to boot! The rock lottery gods shined down on me when we were drawn together and the vocals she added to my songs are nothing short of astounding. I can't wait to hear her new album...it is going to blow all of our minds.

Audrey Easley (the polyphonic spree) made spooky whistles and howls with her magical EWI, bizarre monster growls and bird sounds with her flute, and I think she even played piccolo...audrey is a badass. Flute Rock 4 lfe...End of story.

Tamara Cauble (the polyphonic spree) came in to the studio all smiles and southern charm and sang some sweet sounds on her violin, just beautiful beautiful stuff from a beautiful southern girl! Can't ask for more than that can you?

Jay Jennings (the polyphonic spree) came through in the clutch, we NEEDED trumpet and we couldn't find a trumpet player to save our lives...Jay drove down from Denton on the very last day in the studio and knocked it right out of the park in under 20 minutes. Then he went to watch the Dallas Stars whip ass in the NHL playoffs.
Jay is an American hero and we never would have found him if it was not for his band mate Matt Bricker! Thanks Matt!

Chris Godby banged out some incredible loops, beats, and sequences for a few songs and then left us to work full time in Miami with TIMBALAND! I am not f**king kidding...TIMBALAND! Not many of you understand this about hip hop producers like Timbaland and Kanye West...but those guys don't sit in their bedroom alone and bang out beats all day...they have a team of folks working with them. Chris is now one of those fine folks hammering out crazy drums, synths, and samples for future timbaland projects ...Holy fuck! How cool is that?! One of the last things he did before leaving to work with Timbo was my fucking record! Sheesh.

Last, but certainly not least, none of this would have happened if it wasn't for Kris Youmans. Kris was the hand that guided the guild. He has been pushing for Congleton and I to work together forever, he suggested Sarah and I work together month ago, he has been pulling the strings in the background for years. Beyond arranging this entire project, Kris plays cello on so many songs on my record and half of the albums made in dallas. I owe Kris 6,734,568 scotch and sodas. F**k Tom Leppert...Kris is the Mayor of Dallas. If you want s**t done in this city...you talk to Youmans...and that is a stone cold fact."