February 11, 2021
WHEN YOU CAME ALONG
“Some songs take a long time to develop, and this one did not.”
Most of the songs on Chapter Six are broad and epic, so we wanted this one to be simple and contained. A demonstation of our affection for the music of Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith, Jenny Lewis, Jon Brion, and Aimee Mann.
“I woke up over green covered hills, standing as still as the morning. I felt once like a stranger here, a stand-in in somebody’s story.”
Josh moved to Nashville. That lyric was written sitting in the studio looking out the window at the hills covered in trees.
A new writing approach: referencing several different stories in the verses and paralleling them with the chorus, which is the anchor. The intent, as always, was for the listener to be able to connect their own story.
Grant Pittman, total beast of a player, nailed it on the first take. Great timing and feel. This piano had just the right amount of instability of pitch too. We were thrilled he joined us on this tune.
Austin Fields on the pedalsteel. Great guy, fun session, cool sounds. We got some leads from him, but most of what we used was experimental in nature. It’s fun to sometimes just let the tape roll and see how far outside we can get.
Our friend, producer/drummer Dan Bailey, built a new studio and this song was the very first session he tracked in it.
The new old guitar and pickup Jerad sang into for the main hook.
January 4, 2021
PHOTOGRAPH
“Starting to feel like myself again...”
Looking back at the last couple years: raising a child that’s not our own, going through court battles to make sure she stays safe… and then my daughter going into heart failure. There was a lot of turmoil. So, when things started slowing down and smoothing out, it just feels like there’s more breath now. Things are a little slower- a little safer. I don’t know who I’ve been the last couple years. I look back and I don’t recognize that person. Some things for the better, but there are areas, even creativity, where a lot of what I was writing was really based off everything that was around me. To be able to write about stuff that wasn’t so dramatic was refreshing. I feel like I can be creative in a different sense now.
“An image tells a story.”
There’s a picture of me in the hospital after Rowen had her heart transplant, and she’s getting ready for another procedure. I’m in the full ‘bunny suit’- ready to walk her down to the OR. The way she’s looking at me is just what you want as a father for your daughter. To be in that scary of a place, but it’s like there’s safety there. When I look at that picture I’m just enamored by it.
“Overall, the song is about healing and change.”