new dKOTA album in the works

I'm excited to share that I have the privilege of recording a new album in one of the best studios in Portland, with some of the best talent and equipment available. Indeed, quality music -- of which I can only aspire to make -- ultimately comes down to the songs themselves, but I've never had the proper opportunity to package my songs in a way I felt delivered them properly. Previous efforts have been either me in my apartment with a $99 microphone and GarageBand, or in a decent studio at the mercy of limited resources, rushed schedules, and semi-invested musicians (to their credit, it was a volunteer hobby for all involved).

But now I have the unique opportunity to translate my songs onto the best medium possible: one of relaxed schedules, with the best equipment available, and with nothing but fully-invested musicians at my back (and sometimes lead). It's like finally finding a clean mirror to reveal an honest reflection, for better and worse. But as an artist, this is the pinnacle of actualization. It doesn't have to be perfect, or even good for that matter -- just honest. I've never had that. For so many years I've made songs, tracked them, translated them with meager tools and multifarious limitations, and accepted their grainy and cracked reflection as though one accepts their reality through a compromised mirror. But it's all I had.

The album is being recorded in a place that looks more like a livable art installation than a studio. There's really no other way to describe it. I've found "wooden spaceship" to be accurate. It consists of five stories, multiple bedrooms and bunks, a skate pool, a bar, mini golf, meticulously detailed and aggressive architecture, and a recording studio that's stacked with some of the best resources available. It's a private locale, catering mostly to the local band, The Decemberists, but also housing the likes of other local greats such as Stephen Malkmus (formally Pavement) and Portugal. The Man. The engineer, Adam Lee, happened to record Mr. Malkmus's as-yet-unreleased new album, whereby the first single has garnered recent acclaim (I've heard snippets and it's fantastic). Adam has also engineered for Built To Spill, another Pacific NW legend. And to add to the insane talent mix, the live strings trio layers real strings to the songs (FINALLY REAL STRINGS!) has played for My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, the Decemberists, dot, dot, and dot... accomplished and talented musicians nonetheless.

At any rate, this feels like "name dropping," and I suppose it is. But it's testament to the respected musicianship and engineering at hand. I couldn't be more excited. In fact, the initial trackings are sounding just lovely -- beyond my already high expectations. And the strings are just melting me. I can't wait to get this out there and hopefully play a show. It's been a while. Too long, in fact. Stay tuned!