Mike’s Blog: May 15th, 2009

This morning our good friend Matt Malpass is mixing the final track of our new LP, the title track, Sundowner.

I remember wrapping up the EP we did completely with Matt.  We were only supposed to spend four days on the record, it turned into five or six.  We were having a good time.  It was the first thing I recorded professionally, I was still learning my own voice.  I don’t think it was until we recorded Breathe In that I learned what was working for me.  All of the guys that worked on that record did a great job and were so supportive for something new, untested.  Learning came very quick.

I remember recording the final track American Dreaming, literally 10 minutes before we were supposed to head back to Orlando.  We did that track on Matt’s porch, with Louis walking around hitting a tambourine randomly hoping for something cool to happen in the distance.  Dogs barking, car doors slamming, sidewalk conversation.  It worked in the sense that it was immediate and you don’t have too much opportunity to lie or second guess yourself when you are in your moment, when you don’t have time for a second chance.

Recording American Dreaming 2006 (photo by Alterna180)

We have been equally blessed with this record and the approach couldn’t be more different.  We spent a long time on this record, almost a year and a half, and we probably could have spent more.  When I listen to the record I know that it is the record we wanted to make.  It’s big and lush.

If anyone calls us an indie band it’s only because we don’t make very much money.

I’m calm listening to this record though because we followed our rules, it just so happens those rules fit into a tradition pretty well.

*At this point in my blog writting I got sidetracked by Matt showing me some amazing pop songs he wrote.

Anyways, it keeps coming back to these simple things to me.  Be honest with your self, be honest with you fans and have absolutely as much fun as humanly possible.  Jacob and I watched this Hold Steady documentary yesterday and it was very refreshing to watch their interviews to see them echo the same things we care about.  There’s so much indie rock moping and rock box posturing, it breaks my heart, but slowly I think there are a lot of people coming around, letting loose a little bit, learning to have a good time again.  That DVD was a bit of an affirmation of that, that counts as fuel for bands like us.  Check it out if you have the cash.

The Hold Steady - A Positive Rage DVD

We’re heading out on the road this summer for a couple dates, things are picking up, times are getting tougher, we’re just trying to get better.