I can honestly say this is my best work ever. I know a lot of artists say it to get people’s attention - but I really believe it to be true. I am not discounting my early records, they were a place and time, an imprint of where I was in my life, a fossil now. This new record is special in so many ways. Mostly because of one person’s contribution: my co-producer Greg Collins.

Greg is quite an amazing producer / engineer / mixer. He and I worked together for several months pinching costs in various studios around Los Angeles, including Greg’s home studio. Times being the way they are - it’s easier than ever to make records at home. But it’s embarrassing and humbling to ask favors from people you respect and admire. I was able to pay for the record entirely by myself with money that I had made selling my “Bee Ep” as I toured the country with Blue Man Group in 2003. But it certainly wasn’t enough money to pay the talented people (especially Greg) what they deserve. Greg devoted his time, energy, and mostly his heart for such little pay (he deserves to be paid WAY more!).

Energetically, creatively, and sonically, Greg brought this thing to life and helped me realize my dream. He understood me and my music better than anyone I have ever worked with. Often, I record my new songs from the ground up in my home studio - drum machine, pots and pans, guitars, bass, piano, violins, and sometimes odd symphonic samples to get my ideas on “tape”, and it feels as though I am producing the song from it’s inception. It takes a special kind of producer to hear this, acknowledge it, and not want to bowl it over leaving the nuances behind. I am not saying that he isn’t an artist in his own right. He most certainly is. It’s just that HE GOT ME. This, to me, says a producer is not afraid to put their ego aside and create an honest depiction of what the artist is trying to say and HOW they are trying to say it.

When I write a song it’s not just about chords, lyrics, and song structure. It’s about the way it sounds, the way it feels, the way it’s played, and the way the colors and parts work together. For example, a song could be built entirely on a repeating eighth note pattern played on the violin. Although it may end up having many other sounds and colors, if the violin part isn’t there, the song is lost for me. He completely understood this. One of his MANY talents is the ability to keep the spirit of the original home demo alive while re-recording it (which is very hard to do and stay true!) and make the song SOUND AMAZING! There were other songs on this record that wouldn’t have seen the light of day if it wasn’t for him and his genius production ideas. I couldn’t have asked for a better recording experience.

Anyone who became involved with this record was there because they wanted to be. They certainly were not getting paid what they’re used to, and what they deserve! I thank everyone so much, especially Greg, for believing in me and my music, and for giving their hearts and talent to something made with and from love.

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on working with joey waronker:
I also had the pleasure to work with Joey Waronker on this album as co producer and drummer on 4 songs: “And The World Has The Nerve To Keep Turning”, “Take Your Love Out On Me”, “Naked”, and “Shine”. Joey is such an amazing talent; drummer/producer/ idea man and a great human being. He creates his sonic landscape from the ground up; starting with the drums, using different styles and techniques of recording. Then creating and adding textures using the drums as the foundation - not waiting until the mix. We were simultaneously mixing and recording. It was a great way to work and familiar to me as I use a similar method when I write songs. You are gradually recording and building a mix day by day. It allows the spirit to remain, capturing it there in the moment instead of waiting for that day when you start the mixing process from scratch and the pressure is on, and your ears are burnt. We produced two of my favorite songs on the record: “And The World Has The Nerve To Keep Turning” and “Shine”.

Joey is a natural musician. I watched him play drums and felt like I was watching a master at work. He could play a cardboard box and make it sound amazing. In fact he did on one recording. He could play drums in the bathtub, or in a beehive and it would be phenomenal. His groove is out of this world. I am forever grateful for Joey’s contribution to this
record and to know him as a person.