"I just finished up working in studio D at blackbird recording studios here in nashville. It seems to be the place where a lot of great music gets made in town. Everyone from Martina McBride to Jack White and Alcia Keys were working next door while we were recording. Walking up and driving just a mile from my front door reminded me what an incredibly inspiring town this is to live in. When I jumped into a truck headed east for the summer 8 years ago, I didn't know that I would grow to love tennessee as much as I do--enough to still be around eight years later. I still feel all the six generations of Oregonians running through my veins, but the southern world of songwriting has cast its spell on me.

Last night, I found myself at one of the many clubs down on Broadway listening to a charming old man with an enormous white cowboy hat sing classic bluegrass and country songs along with his band of waxed mustached musicians. He played the fiddle and had to be in his late 70's. Someone next to me leaned over and told me he played with Patsy Cline along with most to people that made the songs he was singing famous. A bucket for tips floated above dozens of older couples that spun and dipped sing along to "Ring of Fire."

We are taking all that we recorded to Robert's home studio to sort out the 30 or so songs I have going. I think we have it down to 20 now, but I'm not sure how to narrow it down any more. It's so hard to pick which ones deserve to be heard. Bono said bands shouldn't break up over money they should break up over song listings. I agree, I can see the different sides of trying to figure out which ideas and songs seem to work together best. So far, there is a lot of songs about the relationships I have found myself in over the last few years. From strangers to unrequited love. It keeps me up at night because I want the right songs to survive together.

I really believe we have captured something special on tape over the last few months. 4 years of highways, tears, prayers, loves gone wrong, young brothers, midwest families, best friends leaving, breakups, pleads for forgiveness, Birmingham road trips, newborns, birthday sing alongs, homesick nights and still small voices have lead to these songs. I can't tell you how excited I am to share them with you... so I'll hurry up and finish.

I hope to see you soon...

mat

p.s. I decided to bypass my usually email to the lovely people that edit my blogs and make sure i dont misspell anything. sorry im a terrible speler. i mean terible.

 

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