Park Experts 195 - Maria Taylor (Story’s End)

Hey everyone, Steven Ray Morris here, host of Sea Jurassic Right. This podcast, you may remember me from The Podcast, All Gs with Allie Ward, and of course, my favorite murder with Karen Kilgareff and Georgia Hard Stark. Steven! Now, this podcast is not just about the Jurassic Park franchise and most recently the Alien franchise, but also about dinosaurs, movies, museums, and anything else that keeps you curious as an adult. It's about celebrating our pop culture connections, celebrating science, having a conversation with nostalgia, and just chatting with lots of creative and talented people about what fascinates them and you. If you want to support the show, please join the Patreon, patreon.com/seajurassicright, for $7 a month and you get two bonus episodes monthly, a paleontology and dinosaur news episode with wildlife illustrator and frequent collaborator Andrea Ciaflo, aka Strangepert Art, and full length commentaries of Jurassic Park movies and more. Sharing the show, rating, reviewing, and subscribing help so much too. Thank you so much, hold on to your butts, and enjoy the show. One, two, three, four. Build with all fright, sea Jurassic Right, with an ember light, sea Jurassic Right, sea Jurassic Right, sea Jurassic Right, sea Jurassic Right, sea Jurassic Right, sea Jurassic Right, sea Jurassic Right, sea Jurassic Right, sea Jurassic Right, sea Hey everyone, Steve Moray Morris here, and you're listening to Sea Jurassic Right. And I'm so thrilled to share this very special chat with songwriter and musician Maria Taylor. Now I talk about the way I talk about Jurassic Park being part of my lore. Maria Taylor's music is very much a part of my lore, my young adult life, late teens, early 20s. Really the soundtrack to my college experience when I discovered her work through Azure Ray, as well as drumming for bright eyes, but her solo work is what really is captivated me, and it feels like her particular brand of gauzy folk atmospheric, folk pop music really just is the soundtrack for the inside of my brain and her music. It's really special to me, and I'm so thrilled that she wanted to sit down and chat with me. We went outside into nature very much in the vibe of her music and being outside, and it was so much fun. And yeah, today her new album is out, go listen to it, go to her website, buy the record, get it on vinyl. And I wanted to tell you about some show dates that she's doing. The album release show is next Friday, April 10th here in Pasadena at Sid the Cat Auditorium. Please go to that. I'm selfishly being like, it's also, you know, go because my birthday is soon, so that's like, I'm gonna, my birthday show. But really, I just want everyone to see Maria perform live because I love seeing her perform live, and I think it's gonna be a fun night. And if you're in New York, she's playing at the nightclub 101 on April 15th, and then in Seattle on April 28th at the Under Toe Show. And then on April 30th in Portland at another Under Toe Show, I'll link to the website so you can get tickets and all that good stuff. But yeah, I'm so excited for all of you to listen to my chat with songwriter and musician Maria Taylor. I couldn't remember. I couldn't think of which way I was gonna either embarrass myself in front of you, but I feel like I've already done that. Anyway, this is Stephen Ray Morris, and you're listening to Sea Jurassic Right. And I feel like I talk a lot about on this podcast how Jurassic Park was like a very big awakening for me growing up. And I feel like for all the Stephen Loreheads out there, this person's music I feel like is that equivalent for me when I discovered them. And I'm very excited that they're sitting in front of me and I get to talk to them about their music. They have a new album called Stories End. And I mean, it's Maria Taylor. How's it going? It's good. It's going good. Yeah. Thank you for coming out. We're outside, which I feel like feels very appropriate to your music. I always feel like you have a strong nature theme in all your songs. Yeah. That's actually where I write a lot of my lyrics. Right? So cool. Yeah. Oh my gosh. Well, okay. I want to go back to the beginning, but before that, I mean, the new records coming out April 3rd. What was that process? Like how did it all come together? Like from the, just the very beginning? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, these songs, a lot of them, most of them started during the pandemic. And, but everything, you know, was so crazy that I was working on them, but I don't know. I didn't know we were going to be alive. And I just really didn't have a plan for that. I was just working on them at my own pace. And then I guess a couple of years later, or was it a year later, Connor had asked me to play drums. And I hadn't played drums in 10 years. I was like, I can't play drums. And he, of course, is like, yes, you can, please. So I just went into drum mode. And I was practicing eight hours a day. I was taking drum lessons. I was just, because it was, you know, I was going to go to Australia and New Zealand and this US tour in Mexico and Bright Eyes. When I used to play drums for them, it's a whole different ballgame now. Sure. You know, playing these huge places. Yeah. I mean, just back then it was more punk rock and it didn't matter that I was real sloppy, you know, but now I have Nate Walker on the band. It's like, I can't be sloppy. Okay. Okay. So, yeah, my attention just for about two years was drumming. Then I would come back to these songs and then I would kind of work on them. And then I would, so they were just, I've never done this before. Usually I write with the intent of putting out a record as soon as I can and I get the songs to where I think they're done. And then I immediately go in the studio and I record them. But yeah, this, like I just realized five years later that I thought I was like, I think I have an album's worth, you know, and I hadn't even been really keeping track of how many songs. This was, I don't know, in a different mindset. And then I realized, okay, yeah, I definitely have 10 songs that I have spent a lot of time on. And then I decided when I recorded them that I wanted to keep all the demo tracks. So that would have that like the vulnerability and the like spontaneity of it. But then build on that. So we kept all my demo tracks and then Mike Mogus went to Nebraska and I played the real drums in a big studio. And my brother, who is my secret weapon, was playing bass. And then yeah, Nate Walcott arranged strings. And then I just had other friends come and play. My friend Brad Armstrong helped me with the demos because during the pandemic we were just emailing back and forth and working on music together. So he already had like put a lot of love and parts into the songs. And then yeah, my friend Ben Brodeen, who had just moved from Nebraska, he was working with Mogus for a long time there. He was in LA and I, I don't know, I was just like, would you want to maybe like take over this project and just like mix them and you know, finish producing them and just, and he lives in Highland Park right near me. So it was really easy to like hop over there. And yeah. So then five years later he finished producing and mixing them. And then I think it's just too long. No, no, I love this. No, no, no, no, no, I'm nerd now. Okay, good. Um, I wanted to, I kind of realized I think there's something special here. Like I feel, you know, it took me, I was so in it and couldn't really tell but then once it was done and I was sitting back looking at this, I was like, I don't know, it felt, this record feels different to me. Maybe because I was just telling some on the other day, I think because I spent so much time, it's like, you know, sometimes, or like sometimes when I, if I'm on tour, like for a few years or I played these songs, then I am like, oh man, I would have recorded this a little differently because I really like, yeah, knew the songs. And so I, there's just a confidence in these songs that I don't think I have ever had with my other records because I really had the time to like change things for years. Sure, yeah, yeah. No, that makes sense. I mean, I changed that one song that Nick Freitas is on until the, I wasn't even going to put on the record because I was like, I've been working on this freaking song for five years and I'm still not, I'm not there yet. And then I was like, Nick, well, you just try to put a melody on the track. And then I was like, I'm just not liking anything that I come up with. And that was the missing link. He like sang something over it and I was like, yes, anyway. Oh, and so then I was going to self release it. But I was like, this is special. I think I should try to really like hire press and do it right. And so I was selling candles and stuff to try to save money. Oh, yeah. And so in the process after doing that, and then I finally was like getting enough to at least get the vinyl made, blah, blah, blah. He hadn't heard the final mixes. And so we sat outside and I was playing him. And then I looked over and he kind of like had a tear coming down when we were listening to one song. And he's like, maybe a million stars should put this out. And I was like, and it just seemed perfect because I don't, I wanted a label that was big enough that they could at least like, yeah, put a little money in. But also I wanted it to feel like home and like a personal connection. And I just see you absolutely perfect. And right. So I was so excited. And yeah, then now here we are. We're like, it's about to come out. Well, I mean, starting an album with, I will call stories and I always love it. And it's like starting a thing with the end was that was that something that you like, what, what does that mean? stories end and then the album starts. Like what does that mean to you? Well, okay. As I started writing it or when I was writing it, a lot of these songs, I had a feeling but the lyrics just weren't all there, you know? So I was like writing the melodies in the chords and I would have some words but like I didn't and I couldn't figure out what they meant. I knew they meant something strong but I couldn't figure it out yet. And then five years later it just started to write itself and yeah, I went through a divorce and Aurenda, my friend, or she went no contacts with me the day I told her I was having a divorce or getting a divorce and I still don't know what I did or what happened. Oh, weird. And I haven't spoken to her and she told people we will never speak for the rest of our life so that was yeah. So this, I finished all the songs with just like my family, my marriage and the person closest to me in the whole world like gone. Yeah, yeah. No, no. So yeah. No, I know what you, I mean it is just a thing of like sometimes you think like, yeah, there's it's weird that there is always going to be life after the worst things you can imagine. Yeah, but it was weird. So everything had a new meaning even the words that I had started meant something different. Yeah. And then it helped me to finish the words and um and then it just gave it so much more like for me just like just so much more weight and so much more dimension and it also became like something that was like keeping me like a float. Sure, yeah. It was like yeah, something that I thought was beautiful and something I was proud of in a time where I was just like never felt like that before just where I like didn't have like a grina my feet weren't working like there was no ground. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was just like this kind of me had my kids which is everything and my family which and I have so many other wonderful friends. I mean so much of my life it almost like heightened that you know and so I feel like so many things got stronger and more powerful and more beautiful but it was just a really long a year long period of adjustment. Sure. In transition. Yeah. Well, I feel like butterflies are also big theme in your music too. So is that something you've always like has music always been that for you a way of like transformation or like absolutely like dealing. I don't know dealing is right thing but like navigating all the things going on in your life. Yeah. And I feel like the green butterfly I've always used that as just this like recurring butterfly. A different thing that just like when times really big times of change and transformation like that butterfly will appear and then I he or she will appear in they that butterfly will appear in the song. Yeah. Well, it's funny on the way here I just saw thing that there's more monarch butterflies again. Oh really? Yeah. I feel like I've been seeing more of them like that they because it was like worried that they were going to go extinct or like that their populations have been declining. So that's really time and coming to to talk to you and that the butterflies are coming back hopefully. Yeah. Or at least percentage wise it says there there are more butterflies now migrating from Mexico to Santa Barbara. But I really feel like I've seen a lot lately. I keep always trying to capture them on film but they're fast. It's hard. Yeah, no. I mean, I I mean, I feel like that was because when I discovered your music when I was in college and like Santa Barbara has all the monarch butterflies. So I feel like I've always associated with your music in that way too. But yeah, store I mean, okay, yeah, because I love again the notion of things continuing after you feel like the story's over. But for I guess where did it all begin? Like I mean, I just because Lynn Teeterflower is like such a great album and there's music there's recordings of you as a kid recording. So you've always been doing this. Yeah, I was just writing this. I was writing a little essay that I don't know. I was thinking maybe my publicist could pitch it to some like parents magazines or something. Yeah, because as much as I'm talking about this record, I'm like, but motherhood is so much of who I am as much as well as yeah, yeah, being a musician. So I was like, this would be cool if I could kind of combine into it and he suggested maybe I write something. Anyway, so as I was writing, I was saying how, yes, so my parents when I was three got me a cardboard house play house toy house. And immediately I just turned it into a recording studio. So I had a cassette player and then a mic stand with a mic and a chair and I would just go in there and press record and just sing my heart out. And even when I didn't even have enough words, like enough vocabulary to fill up the song, I would just make up words. So funny. My dad still has recording. Then he would come in with his guitar and we would jam a little and then but yeah, so I just as like as soon as I could talk, I knew I wanted to write songs. Not just I always loved music, but I wanted to make it. Yeah, yeah. No, and it was that that was like a way for you to communicate. And like, yeah, before I could even really speak. Yeah, it's so crazy. What was your, do you have any like touchstones growing up people like either people in your life that perform music, like you're saying your dad or like just artists that you liked or you know, my dad just, I mean, he always had a guitar in his hand. He was always playing music. I mean, if he that was just such a part of growing up with music, making music, um, who tried my mom crazy because she was not a musician and just like everyone's always playing guitar and, you know, she's like the house of the mess and we're just like jamming. And then yeah, we met when we were when I guess like 16 or 17, there's a band called Remy zero and they were from Birmingham, Alabama and we were and that was kind of when meeting them was when we realized, oh wow, this could be a career. You know, this isn't just what we love to do. Yeah, yeah. And they were signed to Capitol Record. It just was like this whole like, wow, wait a minute. Um, and so we really followed their lead. Yeah. And then it was just always so fun to get touring and then just traveling and meeting new people and yeah, it was just it did not ever feel like a job, but it became our source of yeah. Yeah. Do you do your kids like when you play, do they play music? They do. They go in and out of being into other things and just forgetting about music and then right now both of them like my youngest has been sitting back at the drums and he's great and my oldest has been he watches YouTube's and teaches himself how to play guitar and they're yeah, it comes very naturally for both of them and I'm so happy that right now they're both in a music phase. Yeah, no, they're in like a football phase. I don't know what to say. Yeah, yeah. No, I am always sometimes I'll hear my mom and my dad say it's like, oh yeah, like we I guess maybe we should have tried to get you to play guitar instead of baseball or something. I'm like, yeah, it's like when I was I mean again, speaking of butterflies like they're I always get teased because like when I would play Little League, I'd be out looking at like I would just be not staring in the right direction. That's my favorite part about Little League and like soccer when they're six and seven because there's always two kids that are like that. They're just like looking at the sky or following the butterflies and yeah, and I love it. But yeah, they will be the ones that will be like, mom, dad, why did you make me do this? Yeah, yeah. When did you start playing drums or do you play like every instrument? I feel like you play a guitar. I guess I kind of play. Well, bass, it's just I'm left handed so sometimes it's hard for me to get my hands on an instrument. Sure. You know, like I've never actually played a left handed bass. I'm never even seen one. I sometimes will just for my demos grab one and play it upside down. Oh my god. You know, very cool. Yeah, drums was one of those things. Well, I did my first boyfriend was Lewis Chaffano and he was an awesome. He was the drummer for Remy Zero. Okay. And we dated for I don't know six or seven years. And that was as we started dating when I was 16. So I did just kind of sit down and I knew how to play some, you know, like I did come naturally, but I also was watching him and he was so amazing. So I definitely like he influenced my style and yeah, I learned a lot from him. What is what is it about? Because to me, I mean, drumming feels like such a again, I mean, your music is always goes back and forth between like being shot out of a cannon into the stars or like being on the planet. Like is drumming different than like writing music? Can you write music? I guess I've been writing drum parts, but like, yeah, actually the song with Nick Freitas never thought I feel new started because during the pandemic, I just put the drums in the living room. I put all the instruments in the living room so we could just, you know, say what do we do to fill the day? Yeah, yeah, yeah, totally. So that song started. I just knew I wanted like, I wanted to be kind of rock and song. And so when I pick up my guitar, I just immediately go for slow sad, you know, and that's just what comes out. Yeah, yeah. So a lot of the rock songs that I've it was a single I put out around that time. It's I'm coming for you. I think is what I called it. Yeah. Don't know if you can remember that one. But anyway, that one I also started with a drum. So yeah, sometimes I'll just like record drums and then try to not even pick up my guitar to start singing over the drum beat. And then I'll kind of like play to that. Yeah, yeah, that's cool. Yeah, my guitar always goes the same way. - Exactly. - Well, yeah, I mean, the new record is very, like, just, that wasn't a butterfly, it was like a nap. - A nap? - Yeah, not as cool. But, yeah, in this record, I feel like there's lots of really cool instrumentation. And yeah, I mean, you've mentioned already that this record started kind of in a very different place. Was it, was there when you were looking back at all the songs? I don't know, to me, what I think sounds fun, I'm curious what you think is like, is sequencing fun, is coming up with all the extra parts fun? Like, what are like the most fun parts about doing an album for you? - Oh my God, it's so fun. It's like, it's the most fun. Yeah, it's just anything is possible. And it's like, once you start adding things, you really can take it into these different directions. And you add, and then you take it away. And you just, like, it's such an experiment. It's like, yeah, like cooking. And then this one was so, well, I guess I always, I like to collaborate with, I'm just so lucky to have all these talented friends. And we all love to make music together. So that's always fun too, to get someone else's personality and they're just a part of them in the song. - Yeah, yeah. - But yeah, and yeah, it's, I love it. - Yeah, 'cause I'm just thinking there's like, flute stuff on this record that's really cool. - That was last minute. Like, I realized I wanted flute. And I, so Ben Broding, who was mixing it at that point. And I was like, Ben, do you know a flute guy? And he was like, actually, I know a great flute guy. So he called flute guy in Kansas City, I think. And that was another just last minute. 'Cause I just, for some reason, that was the one. It'll just pop into my head a lot of times like in the morning and it's just, like, it needs a flute. - Yeah, yeah. - Yeah. - You bit, you know, doing Azure A, drumming for Bridee's, doing, like singing, like you were on some Phoebe Bridger stuff a couple of years ago, like. - Actually, just sing on a few of her new songs. - Oh shit, oh my god, that's amazing. - Yeah. - What, like, does that, do you feel like that is a nice thing? I don't know, 'cause I feel like creatively is it nice to get to step out and do other things and then return to your stuff? Is that how you think of it or is it all just kind of, like, one big, like, spectrum? Or do you feel like your own songs are your, like, your safe space to, like, be you totally? - Yeah, let me think about that. I mean, I don't know. - Yeah, yeah, 'cause it's always one of those things where I could imagine, like, I feel like when you see an artist, like Haley Williams put out a solo record recently. - I love her solo stuff. - It's so good, but it's some of those things I'm like, it, from an outsider's perspective, I'm like, what is different about this than just doing another pair of more record? And for you, like, is it kind of just, like, yeah. - Well, for, like, as you were always very, very spous, like, there would be no room for a rock song or a real pop song. - Yeah. - You know, I feel like I kind of would try with some of my songs 'cause I lean more in the pop. - Yeah. - I don't know. So we just had these parameters, which I think made Azure a special, and it was very, yeah. Not confined, but, you know what I mean? - Yeah, it just had a specific vision. - Yeah. So, yeah, my solo stuff was always for me, just a way to, to be able to experiment with different styles and sounds, and just do whatever the hell I wanted. And it was, but yeah, I guess as far as, like, playing drums and, like, singing on Phoebe's stuff, to me, that all, that it all will help enhance my musicianship. - Sure, yeah. - So I do think it's all part of the journey into my, it'll end up helping my songs and my, yeah. - No, I, I, I'm somebody where, like, I had a period, like, after I left my favorite murder, where I was like, I only get to focus on my own thing, and I was like, whoa, this is actually kind of a nightmare. I actually miss collaborating with other people, and it was like kind of hard to just, - I'm just pressure. - Yeah, yeah. - I don't know, it's so, it's weird, 'cause it is like there is a freedom and getting to express yourself without anyone else, but it seems like, yeah, you really love collaboration and inviting other people and-- - I love it. Yeah, I don't, sometimes I've wondered, like, what would it be like if I just played everything, recorded it myself and put it out, just, you know, I'm like, it just wouldn't be as good. So, like, there's no point in me doing that. - Yeah. - Yeah. I feel like, again, the, the, like, I don't know, I feel like why I've always loved your music, is it just feels like, it feels like a little universe in each song, and maybe that's an element to it, of like, because you're not just like, I don't know, it's like the era of like when Garage Band artists are coming out, and you could just do everything on loops. It just kind of felt like, very bedroom, not in a derogatory way, but just like, school project, whereas I feel like your music always had this, like, inviting energy to it. - I think that's probably why. Yeah, just, I work with a lot of people, and I feel like, yeah, and I do draw from my experiences, and I'm getting older, so I've got a lot of experiences under my mouth, so I feel like every record, like the universe, that is my songs, or whatever, gets bigger, and crazier. (laughs) So, it does life. - Do you ever go back and listen to your, I mean, I guess when you're performing, 'cause I saw you when was that October? Yeah, is that an experience, like going back and listening to old music? Do you have you noticed how you've changed when you do that kind of thing? - Yeah, sometimes I just cringe. Sometimes I can't even get some of the words out of my mouth, 'cause I'm like, why did I write that? - Really? - Bad, yeah. - I couldn't imagine any of your songs being bad. - No, there's some lyrics that are just like, oh, why didn't I just think about that? Like, 10 minutes longer, I would have changed it. No, but when I perform them live, sometimes I get so wrapped up in it that like I've even teared up, like November when I've sung that song many times. And sometimes like pretty scars at the end when I talk about, you know, my kids. - Yeah, yeah. - I've gotten choked up before. I feel like right now, I don't know if it's because I'm Perry Menopausal going through this crazy life transition. - Yeah. - But I'm real like, like anything makes me cry. So I'm kind of nervous about playing these shows coming up. I'm like, oh God, am I gonna cry on stage? - I feel like, I mean, as an audience member, I feel like that, to me, why, especially like after the lockdown period going to see, like I feel like I've seen more live shows in the last couple of years just because it's like, searching for some sort of actual experience with people. And that, I forgot what the name of that venue was. This, that said the cat. - Oh, yes. - That was such a cool space. Like, there's much a couches. - Is it called Healing Force of the Universe? - Something like that, yeah. - It's such a cool spot. I hope I said the name right. 'Cause if not, I'm sorry, but I think that's it. It's a really beautiful space. It had such a great energy and they do a lot of cool shows there. - Yeah. - Yeah, I loved it. - So then for you, it hasn't been, I always wonder for musicians is it meaningful to play live? Or is it just a celebration of what you've already done? - It's both. - Oh, okay. - Yeah, I think it is a celebration. It's like a big party. And especially this one coming up, 'cause it's the record release. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. - And it's gonna be for Big Harp 2, Steph Span. And do you know Steph? - I don't, I don't think so. - Oh my gosh. You gotta hear Big Harp. They're incredible. And then Charlie Hickey is also playing and he's from South Pasadena. And we all love South Pasadena. It's the new, stood the cat venue. - Oh, okay, I don't think I've been there yet. - Oh, it's so awesome. And they're so awesome. Anyway, it's just gonna be a big celebration. But at the same time, yeah, like I will definitely, it's cathartic and it's just part of the whole process that when I play it, yeah, it'll be a little bit of everything. I probably will cry a little. I'm gonna be partying and celebrating. And it's like a drug too. I mean, I'm still get really nervous before. - Yeah, really? - But afterwards, it's like, is that feeling like, oh my god, I wanna do it again. I wanna do it again. I want more, I want more. It's like a drug. It's the endorphins and the, and more than that, it's the, 'cause that's the one thing is like, when you're making music in a studio, you're only exchanging energy with the people that are in the room making it with. But when you're playing and you have all these people and there's this exchange of energy going on in the room, and that is the most incredible thing. See, that will make me cry. I went to a ball game. I don't even really, like, I don't even understand any ball games. So I was at a Dodgers game. And just feeling the crowd gets so excited over the same thing made me cry. And I was just like, it's just people coming together and just exchanging, yeah, energy and coming for the same reason. And so that's just another element of playing live that I love. And I've been doing these a few house shows. - Oh yeah, I wanted to ask about this. - Oh my god, and that was incredible. Because the people that come to those were just, the people who've been following my career for decades. And then it was so intimate, we're in a living room space. And I'm getting to meet these people. And we're talking like they are now. And then, yeah, I don't know. It was just unlike any other show experience. And I want to do more of that. I think it's, I don't know. And I think after the pandemic, a lot of things did change. And that kind of connection, people are still craving that, like, something just real. And I really enjoyed it. - I mean, I, as much as I love following the Oscars and kind of like thinking about all the culture around, like, oh, did this person deserve this? Or are they getting a win? Because people didn't know where them last time. Like watching it this year was like it felt exciting. And that was just like from home. Because it was like, oh, being part of a moment that's like happening right now. - Yeah. - You know? - I went over to my friends house and we were gonna watch the Oscars. And so we like had a cocktail before. And we were snacking and talking. And they were like, okay, it's coming on. And we had the time wrong because we were thinking, started seven here. - Oh shit, oh my God, it's so like over. - It was over, we watched the last 10 minutes of the Oscars. I was like, oh my God, we've just been sitting here for an hour, just like we're blabbing. And we were so excited to watch it, but whatever. So I missed it. - I mean, you know, there's more, I get it, like we're saying, there's more communal experiences. But wait, like, what was the impetus for doing the house show thing? - Well, I just saw Eric Bachman and Laura Byrne, like I've just been seeing people on Instagram do it and there's this company called Underthou. - Okay, yeah, yeah. - And I was just curious about it 'cause I was like, why are they doing this? - You know, I don't know, I was like, it's, and then, okay, I became a sommelier. - Yeah, last night I was actually at a dinner with my wine professor and this was super fun. So I'm a little hungover though, but so yeah, I decided, I just wanted to become a sommelier. I don't know, I was like, I was in the bathtub one day and I'm like, I wanna be a sommelier. So I took this course and I studied so hard for like six months. But I started thinking too, when I was gonna put this record out, when I was still in the like, how do I make money to put it out face? - Sure. - I was like, what if I combine some like wine tasting where I talk about, 'cause I love making little pamphlet, I would get my friends come over and make these little pamphlets and hand it to them and then I'd talk about what we were drinking and the soil and the winds and the, you know, the terroir wine. So I was like, what if I could combine this and then play a set. And so I just looked up who Eric bought me, and I was like, who is this undertow records, okay? And then I looked online and it said, reach out. If you wanna learn more. So I just, and I hate the phone, I have a phone phobia. - Sure. - I just called this number and they're like, hello, and I was like, I just saw on your website it said, call if you wanna know more. And so I was like, my name's Marie Taylor and they knew who I was and I told them the idea about doing a wine tasting mixed with that. And they loved the idea. But then I chickened out, I started thinking about the logistics of like wine glasses and keeping it in the car and having to bring, but I don't know, I was just like, how am I gonna do this? So then I said, well, maybe I should just play a few shows to see how it feels and how it works. And then we could try to incorporate that. - Yeah. - I'm kinda where I'm still at that phase. - Yeah. - I mean, I feel like again, it's like during lockdown. Like again, I felt like, especially people I met after, I was always like one of the icebreakers. Besides my icebreaker I've been asking if anyone's had surgery because I just had surgery. But is the, you know, what was your pandemic hobby? Or what was the thing that, you know, you got fascinated with and it was wine for you? - Well, I've been fascinated with wine since I could drink it. (laughing) It started with just like, oh, I was painfully shy until red wine. And then all of a sudden I was just like, oh my God, if I have a glass of this, I can talk to people without fidgeting and oh, if I have two glasses of this, I can be funny in front of you. You know, just like honestly like helped me, I know that sounds crazy, but. And then I just started getting into, yeah, everything about it. I kicked out a big time for many years. And so then I would always try on tour to like stop it, vineyards and like, you know. - Oh, that's fun. - Yeah, but do you wanna hear my surgery story? - Yes, I mean, sure, yeah, yeah, I would love to. Yeah. - My, I have a pandemic surgery story. - Oh, no, I didn't know this, I'm gonna. - Okay, so I was, it was during the pandemic, it was during lockdown and I started having this stomach ache. And I, I'm pretty like, pains, I'm good with pain, I have a high threshold. - Sure thing. - And it was like four in the morning and I'm like, I can't sleep and it's getting worse and worse. And so I was like, something's wrong. And I called my mom. I'm like, it feels like pregnancy, like contractions. Like when you're about to have the baby, like the bad ones, you know. And she was like, maybe you should go to the hospital. I'm like, no, it's okay. So now I'm walking around and I was like, eh. Something's up. So I didn't wanna wake everybody up. And this was like, you couldn't call an Uber or anything. I mean, this was lockdown. - Yeah. - So I just got in the car. I told Ryan, I was like, I'm gonna drive, don't worry, I'm fine. I'm gonna just drive myself to the hospital. He's like, what? I was like, and so I go, we'll just make a long story short. They took X-rays and then they're like, you have to have emergency surgery. They thought it was just a huge, they said it was just a huge mass in my intestines. And so I was thinking, tumor, you know, like, oh fuck. So I go in and then, but once they opened me up, it was that my intestines had twisted. So then they had to like chop off a big portion and then sew it back and then sew all my stomach back up. And then no one could come visit me 'cause it was COVID. My mom did get on an airplane because she's the best. She just put on, you know, one of the head of duty masks. - Yeah. - So she was there. But yeah, and that was, it was crazy. My dog during COVID, my dog who had been with me for 11 years died. I had a friend who took their own lie. I mean, it was just crazy fucking times. - Yeah. Now, I mean, I was a stepdad during COVID. - You were what? - I was a stepdad during COVID. - Okay. - And so yeah, that was, and it was like a sort of a surprise. Like I started watching my, now X, I sort of like basically went from not seeing her kid to then all of a sudden, you have to watch all the time. - For like five nights out of, like every other week. - Wow. - For like two years. - Wow. - I mean, I feel like I stepped up, you know? Like I was just, 'cause what else were you gonna do? - How old? - She was, it was like three to six. - Okay. - It was a fun age, 'cause we just like dinosaur toys and everything. - Oh. - Yeah, but it is just that thing, I think, for some people, lockdown was like, there was like a mix of like personal growth slash like, really taking stock in everything. - Yeah. - So. - Yeah. (upbeat music) - Do you, when you were working back on these songs, was it bringing up all that stuff? Like were you like taken back? 'Cause sometimes I have a hard time going back to like what that time felt like. - Yeah, it feels like, it's one of those things, like I had one of my boyfriend's passed away when I was 23, but it's similar to that, like when, when, yeah, it's almost like you're not, you can't go back there because your body was in shock during, or there's something, yeah, so you really can't, like I can't go back really to that either. - Yeah. - Like when I think about what was I feeling? I'm like, it was beyond what I could feel right now. - Yeah, yeah. - But, no, I mean, like I guess what I was saying, the songs were starting to write themselves. - Yeah. - So, when I think back to the songs, I don't really think back to COVID at all. I just think of like, the whole journey, the last five years, and more so, just the last year. - Yeah. - 'Cause that's when I just really like, tied them all together. - Yeah. - And yeah, when you're asking about, I didn't answer you, but arranging albums, I love. That is something, I used to only let Nick Freitas arrange, do you mean like the order when you're asking? Or no, you were talking about it. - Well, actual arrangements and the track orders. To me, that's so important. Like I love Taylor Swift, but I have a lot of thoughts on the track order of all of her albums. - You disagree with her choice? - Sometimes, sometimes. - I feel like, well, she's like talking to me where it's like, every album is too long. Like to me, I think 10 songs is the perfect, 'cause when I'm listening to your record again this morning, like hearing the first song to the end, like I feel like I go through that whole emotional journey. - Yeah. - But if an album is sold as a double album, or like a triple album, like Joanna Newsom's Heaven, I mean, like it's like, I mentally prepared for that. But when it's like 17 songs, I don't know, listeners, let us know what you like. - I agree with you. Yeah, it's just too much for us to like, invest that much time to like, you can't, I mean, it's just too long. - Yeah, yeah. Do you think about that stuff? 'Cause it's like, you know, I've seen stats where it's like album or like song lengths have gotten shorter as, you know, Spotify streams. And you know. - No, I mean, I wanted this one to have 11 songs because that's my lucky number. But then it just felt like, wait, there are 10 songs on it. - Yeah. - Okay. It just felt complete. So I was like, nah. - Well now I'm gonna double check. - I know, I'm not, I think it has 10. What's, okay, can I ask you a question? What's your favorite on this record? - Ooh, well, I feel very honored that you sent it to me to listen. - A long time ago. - Was that November? Just, it was a month before my surgery. But I feel like the song where I was like, especially this morning was like shades of blue. - Okay. - That was definitely. - That's gonna be the next single. - Oh, cool. Oh my God. Yeah, I'm trying to think what else was my favorite? - See, that was, I was so excited to share it. I literally couldn't help myself. I was just like, if anyone would say, can't wait to hear your new record. I was like, bam, there you go. - Well again, if you've been sitting on it and, yeah, I mean, yeah, this time is like, 'cause I mean, yeah, it's, we're recording this. When is this 18th of March? Your sister's birthday. - It's my sister's birthday. Yes. - Yes. Happy birthday Kate. - But yeah, it's like that. I don't know if that's how I feel. I, this week actually, I like, talked to some high school students about like, the podcast industry, which is just weird, 'cause it didn't exist when I was in school. And it's one of those things where I, I feel like my biggest advice has been like, be annoying about the things. do you like and about the art you make? Because nobody's gonna know if you don't share it. - Right, no, that's good advice and I have to tell myself that over and over. I mean, I love sharing it with you, but there's times like going on tour with people where my booking agent will be like, well, you know this person like text them and just say, hey, I'm like, no, I can't. I don't wanna, I'm not good at, I'm trying to be better about, yeah, just putting myself out there a little and just, - Is that, 'cause I feel like sometimes when you, I don't know a few of experiences, but I feel like talking to people where it's like, it's almost like people, I don't know, I assume everyone creates things, even if they don't think they do. - Yeah, they must, right? - That's how I feel, but it's like, yeah, do you ever feel like, I don't know, it's almost like people have an image of their head of like all musicians are a certain way or all things, but it feels like, I don't know, it just feels like an extension of yourself. - Yeah. - Or do you feel like there's a little bit of a, or do you feel like there's two different things there? - Like, can I separate myself from the music? - Yeah, yeah, or is that, like, - It's hard to do. - Like, I don't think I could, I think it's all one, like for myself, everything I make is a reflection of me, but-- - But when I'm in a band, it's easier to do that, like with Azure A or like my band Ha Ha, then with Mike, like it's easier to let that be something. - Yeah. - And then I feel way more comfortable, like asking or for showing people, you know? - Yeah, yeah. - 'Cause it doesn't feel like you're just like promoting yourself as much as, yeah. But I mean, like as far as people who've listened to your music over the years, has there been, it's always just fun to hear when people are like, like I don't know, like have you, 'cause doing these house shows, you're meeting lots of people with what was that, like actually getting to talk to. - It was just cool, it makes me, 'cause sometimes, yeah, you do feel like, ugh, it's such a being a musician can be, seems self-serving and it's like, I wanna do things that are, yeah, I wanna do things for other people, you know? Like I don't know, I have these friends that are doctors, I'm like, God, you must feel great at night. I just like, you were like saving people's lives. But then it's nice to hear people say, like your music saved my life or your music has gotten me through blah, blah, blah. And then I'm like, okay, well this, 'cause music does that for me, like totally saves my life. Like I can't even this year. I mean, going for walks listening to my favorite songs was just medicine, you know? That therapy is like, but yeah. No, yeah, I mean, after my surgery, I really was, a lot of it was just like, especially right after, it was just listening to music. 'Cause I don't, felt like centering in a way of like, I don't know, just reminding you of that you feel thing, is there something? Right, so wait, tell me again about your back. Oh, well, I had, I like fractured my spine in two places. How? They don't know, and it's probably been there for more than like 10, 15 years. Oh my God. But I think, well, I heard me at a disc, like two years ago, and that's when it started happening. But it was like one of those things where it's like, you know, going to shows, standing around, and it's like, oh, it's really hard to stand for more than 30 minutes. Well, I guess I'm gonna buy two $24 margaritas. (laughs) I didn't, I can't feel anything. Yeah, yeah, exactly. So, and then, yeah, like again, 'cause our healthcare industry sucks. So it was like trying to find the answers. And then they're like, oh, did you really have like, two fractures here? Oh my God. But again, it's one of the things we were like, you know, we're so used to dealing with stuff. That's just like, I feel like this is different, you know? So yeah, I had two rods put in my spine in December. Oh my God. Yeah. So now I'm as-- And it feels better now? Yes. And yeah, like I went to, I've been to two shows this year already, and I still bring my cane with me for that, 'cause it's like, we would just be standing around for two hours or three hours, but yeah. So like today, I feel good. That's great. Yeah, yeah, it feels nice. Wow. Yeah, yeah. So, it's a major surgery. Yeah, yeah, no, I mean, but yeah, to me, it was like more than anything, like music got me through, like the, especially when you're on pain meds and everything. Yeah. It's great. It's like kind of a perfect way to listen to music, right? Yeah. No, that just, again, made me just think that, 'cause you have a song called "Zanix." But yeah. Did I ever tell, or did you ever hear the story about Monica Lewinsky telling, coming up to me at a show, until I made that-- No. --that my music helped her-- Hard times? No. I have no idea. I never heard this. Oh, my God. I just was talking to her. And then I just wanted to run backstage to call my mom, and you'll never believe who said that my-- yeah, she was at an Azure Ratio in New York City. And I was at the knitting factory. And I was checking at the merch table, and then there was a bar right there. And I was like, I'm just going to grab a drink at this bar. And then there was a tap on my shoulder. And I turned around, and it was her. And this was back around that time. Oh, my gosh. I think maybe a few years after. Sure, sure. But yeah, so that was a crazy story. Whoa. It's a crazy story. Yeah, talk about it. That's so wild. I mean, but that's such a hike. I don't know. To me, yeah, I don't know. But also, I imagine sometimes that-- again, like you're saying, the idea of being a musician or doing your art when, again, I've interviewed scientists before. And I'm like, look at you. And they're like, yeah, but whatever-- I don't know. That's got to be a very surreal feeling, hearing stuff like that from people. Yeah, it is. And it was really great to play these house shows. And just to learn about those people-- Yeah. Because they know a lot about me. And I'm like, well, tell me about you. And I've really kept in contact with some people that I met during the shows. And yeah, I just love it. It's all-- I mean, that's one of the things I love about music is just connecting with the people I make it with and then the people who listen to it. And it's just all about letting-- it's a way for me to feel less like what I'm going through. It's like I'm less alone and going through it when you know-- I don't know. Yeah, yeah. --just sharing-- I'm not making sense. But you know what I'm trying to say? No, but I have you again. I think that ties all back into-- There's nothing overcrup. People are trying to find ways to connect, because I think especially-- you know, especially for people listening. And somebody like me who's very terminally online, it's really easy to take everything out of context. And then we are actually talking to somebody. That they're a real person. And then you're allowed to feel those things. It's not like a-- I don't know a weakness or-- I don't know. Everything is so-- I don't know if you feel it. Everything just feels so like stats. And I don't know. It's just like we can just feel things. It doesn't have to be for anything. It can just be to feel it. Exactly. Yeah. How did you end up being in the podcast world? I was going to a lot of shows in LA. I mean, the echo was the first show I ever saw. The echo was your show. Really? Yes. Yeah. I drove-- Wait, what year? 2000. It was right after-- it was 11/11. 11 came out. Oh, wow. Yeah, because-- Was my sister in the band? And, brother? I can't remember. Because it was very-- because yeah, like I didn't grow up going to shows. I would go with my dad. We see, like, Dimash mode and-- Oh, it's amazing. But I drove up to the Greek to see White Shroves by myself in high school. And then when I went to college, I drove down to see your show. Was it-- do you remember-- was it with a Harm R Superstar in "Binley" or was it just me? I think it was just you. But yeah, I think it was 2005 or 2006. OK. So-- But yeah, like at even Sasha Ray and Santa Barbara, at some point-- Trying to get where we played there. There was like a cool little downtown club. I feel like I saw, like, cursive there one time too. But yeah, like it was-- yeah, I don't know. I forgot how we got-- oh, the podcasting thing. But then, yeah, like I started-- I think because I was like working really late, I started going to comedy shows as well. And then people were like, oh, I have a podcast. And I was like, what's that? And so I was sitting in traffic or stuff. So I'd start listening. And then again, I think that era of-- like when I moved to LA, it was like, oh, you could approach people after shows and say hi. Everyone was just kind of like-- especially now we're hungry for those experiences. But then I think everyone was like, well, why wouldn't you want to like-- if I like your music, you like my comedy, you know? I don't know. It doesn't feel like anyone taught us to be that way. When you were starting to play shows and stuff, I feel like it's-- I don't know. Maybe it's just because we-- I want to say, I feel like maybe your records were some of the first I ever bought online. Like, saddlecreek.me.com kind of thing. Like when you were playing shows, was it where you meet-- like, I don't know. It's just one of those things where it just seemed like it wasn't impossible to say hi to people you liked after shows. Right. Yeah. I feel like there wasn't an attitude. I feel very lucky that there wasn't this attitude of like, we're going to go in the back and like-- I mean, I'm married someone that just came up after the show. Really? Oh my god. Yeah. Amazing. Yes. So I love that. Some people don't-- some people that I know just like to go straight to the bus or straight. Sure. But that's also because some people that I know have fans that are like a little too obsessed. No, for sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so they're a little scared. Yeah, no, totally make sense. Yeah. And I was a little nervous with these house shows because I have had-- I mean, everyone has, I feel like if you put yourself out and love like, you're going to get a few weirdos. Yeah, yeah. I don't have people like send me messages that I'm like, OK, this is scaring me to death. Yeah, yeah. It's creepy. And so then I was like, well, what are those kind of people are the ones that come to a house show? Yeah. But it was just not like that at all. Just a bunch of beautiful people that, yeah, I got to learn about. But yeah, it was one of those things where I felt for me because the people I really loved were really supportive and responsive. like Georgia, who is one of the hosts of my favorite murder, she like got my number and was like giving it to people, which is how I met Ms. Apa in rain. Yeah, which is the first one of the, I think that was the first time we met, but like, yeah, that was like, you know, that's so cool. So she just was like, I'm gonna help you out. You seem like you're really good at what you're doing or whatever, which is just so flattering. And like, actually, and you were producing back then. Yeah, yeah, started producing and working on podcasts and stuff. And then yeah, that was when, because yeah, moon and rain had a podcast, launch left that like, yeah, just had awesome musicians on and songwriters and everything. And then I think I was geeking out about how much I loved you and how much you interviewed me. Yeah, yeah. And you played a song in the studio was awesome. That was such a special time. I mean, you played my favorite. So I mean, again, so now I'm sitting in front of you having to be like, well, is song beneath the song or is clean getaway my favorite song of yours? It's hard. Which one of those is your favorite of yours? This is very indulgent for me that I just get to see here. Song beneath or is clean getaway. That's tough because that they're so different. That's kind of like apples and oranges. Yes, no, that's true. They are very different, but it is very much like, I mean, they fulfill like, yeah, the song beneath is just, I love pop songs. And it's got that, that repetitive chorus where it's like, the melody stays the same. But the chord progression changes like that built has this tension. And so I like, there's something when any song does that. I'm always I gravitate towards it. But then clean getaway is one of those songs that it was like a premonition. I wrote it. I felt it, but I didn't quite understand why I was writing it. And then kind of that happened, you know, like I had this breakup. And I knew it was best for me, but I still missed the person. And I was in this new city and this new apartment. Like it was like literally I'd written the song before it happened. And so that was cool. And I feel like, yeah, that's a tough one. Do I have to answer? No, no, no. Like, asking me what kid is my favorite? Yeah, yeah, no, this true. Yeah, I, yeah. But it was for me, it was because when I used to play music, I would cover that song like at every show of basically clean getaway. Really? Yeah. Okay. Well, you have to send me. I'm sure I have a recording of it somewhere. Please send it. Okay. Okay. Well, um, maybe you could play it during this podcast. I haven't played music in a while, but for you, I would. Okay. But this has been so much fun. Thank you. This is so much fun. What else? There was a couple of other things I wanted to ask. I mean, what's the first thing you usually do when you put out a record? Where has that always been different? I mean, usually I would try to play more live shows. But it's just also been kind of a tough year for just, you know, the whole family, like we're transitioning into a new phase. Yeah. And I don't feel like it's a good time for me to go off on a long tour right now. Sure. So, um, but I am trying to play like little, you know, I'll go for a few shows and come home and then I'm hoping to maybe get some shows in the summer where I could even bring my kids with me. Oh, that'd be fun. But usually, yeah, when I put out a record typically, I mean, it's just like, I know, this is so like blah, blah, blah, but it's just so hard to make money as a musician because with streaming sites, it's basically free. Yeah. And so touring is just so important or else getting your, your songs in movies and TV shows. But now that's even getting harder. Typically touring is what I would do. Well, I feel like that if anything, again, it seems like the theme of this record so much of it has been transformation. It's almost like, I don't know, it's one of the things for me. If something is it working, I just change one thing and then it allows space for new stuff to happen. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I want to try to do more things like, okay, play some online shows where I'm at home and I can display and then people from all over the world can tune in. But yeah, I need to like be open to exactly what you're saying. Like these new ways of what will I do when the record comes out this time? Yeah. It'd be different. Yeah. I got to figure it out faster because it comes out and yeah, yeah. When so soon. Oh my gosh. Yeah, that's in like two weeks soon. I'm so excited though. When did you know that this record was done though? It just hit me like when was it? And I guess it was a year ago because maybe even longer than that or maybe a year ago. I don't remember. Yeah. I just feel like it just surprised me though. Like I just kind of had been compiling them and then I looked at my drop box and I was like, there's 15 songs. You know, like I actually didn't use some of them. Yeah. Which I never do. Usually I'm just like, okay, I need one more song. You know. And then I was yeah, I just finished touring with Bright Eyes and I remember calling Mogus, Mike Mogus. And I was like, I think I have a record. I was like, would you want to record it? And we've made we've been working on music together forever. And so I had I was intending on doing the whole thing with him, but like his life got really busy. And then Bright Eyes was touring more and I wasn't with them. And then I started that was when I started feeling like I need this record to be done because my life was falling apart. I was like, and so that's when I kind of switched it over and then bin brooding took over. Yeah. But yeah, I don't know. I just looked at my drop box and I was like, holy shit, there are a lot of songs. This is never the case for me. Like I I'm not very prolific. Like I just takes me a while to get one. And and if I'm not feeling it, it just frustrates me to try. So if I'm not being very like, I'll sometimes have a year long writers block. And I just try to not worry. Yeah. But I don't have, you know, I won't have a song. I mean, but yeah, I don't know. It's your music is so special to me. And it's really I'm really happy that you wanted to sit with me here and talk about this stuff. And I'm just so excited for the new record. And I think it's really special. And thank you. What if you're going to like, as far as like the nature thing is there like, when you're on a hike, are you, are you like walking the whole time or do you sit and take that time to reflect? Are you, are you like looking at all? Are you looking for animals? What's your, what's your, what's your like outdoor? No, I have most my thoughts happen when I'm in motion. So like, if I stop, I feel like my thoughts kind of stop too, which maybe is a good thing and I should do that more. But so no, I'm always walking usually listening to music. But I am able to think while I'm listening to music. Yeah. I am my eyes are peeled for snakes because I'm afraid of snakes. And I'm afraid of just like mountain lions bear. I mean, we are in the right area for it. Yeah. So I feel like I'm always like, oh, coyotes. But I see them on every hike. I see a coyote. Wow. I think that's, I feel like animals congregating around you. They know you're maybe. It sounds like going to kill me. Yeah. Yeah. You're like, I have, I have good energy. Please don't kill me. Yeah. You can come hang with me, but don't kill me. Yeah. I think that's pretty much what I do on, on hikes. I love hikes. I love. I feel like again, I mean, I feel like it's been obvious that we've been recording outside and we did a pretty good job. There's, we, though, I feel like we've been here all morning and it and only two people have walked by. Yeah. Did they, I saw you wave, did they wave at us? They were just admiring what we were doing. Right. Thank you so much, Maria. This has been so wonderful. Thank you for having me and thank you for always being supportive and you always share my things, which means the world because it's the only way, you know, for things to get, like you were saying, your friend who was like handing your number. Yeah. So, I mean, that helps and I appreciate it. I mean, again, I'm just being, I have to annoy everybody and I tell everyone, you know, again, gun to my head song beneath the song is, is probably my favorite song. Oh, Cisa, you answered your own question. Yeah. Clean get away song beneath the song. I think I think it, yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's my most played song. That's for sure. Like if you were to like, you know, Spotify. I think it's, I mean, I don't know why somebody would hold a gun to my head and ask me what my favorite song is, but you know what I mean? Like I just that never happened. That is like a, that is like a thing that I feel like because I don't know when people ask you stuff like that, I always love it's like, what's your favorite song? What's your favorite movie? And it's like, I think that my favorite song, someone would hold a gun to my head about my own songs. I think it would be stories end. Okay. I love this. Yeah. I think, yeah, there's like advantages to getting old and I'm starting to like realize what some of those are, you know, just like you, I feel like I'm getting, I am getting better at my craft. I'm a little more, things are intentional. It's not so much just like, well, I hope this ends up good, you know, it's like I can make this how I want it to be, you know, with the help of these amazing brilliant people. We're all just sitting outside right, watching us podcast. Exactly. And also, yeah, just like even with all the changes of getting older, it's just like, I do feel more, I don't need two glasses of wine to sit and talk, you know, like back in the day, I would have had two glasses of wine before I came to talk to you because I would have been just too nervous. But now I'm like, I'm gonna be 50 and a month and a half. Oh my gosh. And thank you. And I can like, be confident enough to sit in front of the one and talk without stuttering and not making sense. This is great. And I love, I love that we did this outside. I do too. I'm glad that you came here. This has really been a special location for me. And during the pandemic, we walked here with the kids every single day. Also. Oh, it's so cool. Well, thank you. And yeah, the new record comes out April 3rd. And you have like tour dates or like show dates and stuff. And April 10th is the show. April 10th is the one here. And then, yeah. And then April 15th, I'm gonna play in New York City. And then I'm gonna play a couple, one in Seattle, a house show in Seattle, and a house show. But they're not always houses. Like this is going to be at a vintage store. - Ooh, that's cool. - Yeah. And then I'm going to play in Portland at like a local television station. - Ooh, okay. - So yeah, my son is going up there on a school trip and he has a life threatening dairy allergy and he's just nervous to go because they're going to be eating in restaurants and it's like dairy cross contamination is so easy, so easy. So he wanted me to go up there. And I'm like, I can't afford it unless I play some shows and I should play shows anyway because my record's coming out. So it's kind of this. - I love that. - It's great. I'll play some shows and just hang out in case of an emergency. - Oh gosh. - I'll be in the Northwest. - I love that. Well, thank you everyone for listening. Maybe I can play a song from your record to play it out. - Yeah, and don't forget you have to play "Cling it Away." - I'm off to talk here. - I'm going to start practicing. Thank you everyone for listening. And yeah, I mean, look. We're going to have to get sprinkled on. - We got this. - Perfect. - Oh my gosh. - Oh my god. ♪ Oh, what a slow descent ♪ ♪ Now we fade in ♪ ♪ To the stories and right back we'll begin ♪ ♪ Over ocean waves ♪ ♪ Don't you fade ♪ ♪ To the comes of day ♪ ♪ When they care real so way ♪ ♪ But I could have loved you more ♪ ♪ If I try ♪ ♪ No, I could have loved you more ♪ ♪ But I try ♪ ♪ Oh, God, keep me awake ♪ ♪ In the dust we're flaking ♪ ♪ Of the sand in the space ♪ ♪ And my heart starts to race ♪ ♪ On a light that's back on ♪ ♪ And my favorite song ♪ ♪ And I sing along ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I made my place by the door. ♪ ♪ I didn't know what I was waiting for. ♪ It felt just like home. ♪ Except no grass, no yard, no pictures, huh. ♪ ♪ I could see across to the park. ♪ And there were friends and they were laughing hard. ♪ They looked just like my own. ♪ It's no face, no name, no voice, I know. ♪ ♪ ♪ I finally made it. ♪ I made a clean getaway. ♪ ♪ I made a clean getaway. ♪ ♪ I met someone at the barn. ♪ We had a great smile and a great heart. ♪ It felt just like love. ♪ Except no fear of losing and it wasn't tough. ♪ But that was tough. ♪ ♪ I finally made it. ♪ I finally made it. ♪ And I miss you. ♪ I miss you every single day. ♪ ♪ Thank you so much for doing this. My pleasure. Okay, well, so yeah, I'll introduce you. I'll ask you about the new album, music, your career, all that good stuff. Okay. Oh my god.