11.08.2008

My Long Winding Thoughts



The U.S. jaunt of our celebratory release tour has been incredible so far. I know sometimes I tend to get a little misty and dramatic when it comes to the gratitude that we have for all of those who support us... but I can't help myself, and here I go again. This will be completely unmeasured, uncool, and unclassy. Un- Un- Un-.

It has been a strange few months getting ready for the release of Canopy Glow. There has been overwhelming amount of growth, love, loss and change on all sides of our lives. I'll leave that vague for the most part. Going into the private things would be a little intense and out of context. After the Aloha and Dosh tours, we remixed the entire record with Tony Espinoza and Eli Crews with help from Yoni. They slaved away with us, sometimes working long nights after full work days, sacrificing family time, sleep, food, friends... One night Tony and I were sending things back and forth until 4 am, when I literally passed out on my computer, accidentally sending him hundreds of aaaasdffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff messages on IM. You get the picture. I just want to thank these people for all of their help in the process of bringing the record into a new light. There were times when I literally began to go nuts and needed to be brought back to earth. Erica came over one day and, noting my state, left me a chocolate bar and some hand sanitizing spray... to give you a picture of my mental state, I unknowingly sprayed the sanitizer in my mouth... thinking it was some sort of chloraseptic throat remedy. Point being, I was not in a functional mental space at the time to say the least. We got some mixes of "The River" from Tony and I was so exhausted that I began to flip a little bit, getting really neurotic about things for no reason. Yoni sent me a gentle, "You're going nuts, this mix is great" email. I realized that my perspective on the whole thing was totally shot, but that we were in great hands. To Eli, Tony, Yoni - we are really grateful! Thanks for putting up with us.

I'm saying this all to give a small snapshot of a year long road that lead to the release of this record. I wasn't sure that we'd be able to post something like this closer to the actual release on the 18th since we'll be out of the country, so I thought I would jot some thought down now while there is time.

The last week has been remarkable. We were really surprised and grateful to see so many people at all the shows. To be honest, we imagined a sort of silence around the record release, half full rooms, a general sense that we already had our 15 minutes. But this week will be remembered in high regard - everyone in the room singing. It brings the whole thing into an appropriate perspective - that this band and the community of people outside of the music are part of an indecipherable whole wherein there are no necessary divisions within the hopeful notion that the band is just a conduit for something else. Fan/Friend, Band/Other, You/Me, Republican/Democrat. In a lot of ways, the spirit of the tour enabled a deeper understanding and excitement concerning the election. Thanks so much to all of you who bit torrented the record and sang along. Thanks for the pumpkin pie. The hand-bound book. Hearing about Camp-Thallo. Etc. Etc. Etc. The ongoing correspondence.

Tonight we're playing at home in Chicago at one of our favorite venues, then off to Europe on Monday and Japan before Christmas.

We're planning a really extensive U.S. tour which will begin in late February. Can't wait to see everyone again. Family. Thank you.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm in Japan so I already got the album and it was just...amazing. really can't wait to see you guys in December!

Anonymous said...

please, please, please try and come to birmingham, al.

Anonymous said...

I haven't listened to or got the album yet, but i already know it will be fantastic, just because it's by the great people in Anathallo.

Mr. Eding said...

Matt, I talked to you last night after the Calvin show, but I just wanted to reiterate how great it was to see you folks again, and tell you that I'm listening to Canopy Glow for the first time today, and it's also excellent.

-Aaron

Jordan H said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

You guys are amazing and such an inspiration! Keep up the incredible work! I really enjoyed your show in Chapel Hill Wednesday. I was definitely singing along! And the new album is great! Come back to NC really soon!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait until February. Travel safe. Take it all in. Tell us how it is. Most of all, hurry home because we'll miss you once you're across the pond.

Alec K said...

since youre gonna be in japan, you should totally swing by south korea so i can see you again. i met you guys at a doug fir show in portland earlier in the year (i came with alex kent) and just wanted to say it was nice to make your acquaintance. keep up the good work

Anonymous said...

The show last night was amazing. Good luck on the tour!

Anonymous said...

Dear Matt,

Thank you for still being there. Your friendship means a lot to me right now.


Love,

J. (G)levin

thevictorio said...

Last year I gave you guys a big "Happy Thanksgiving" sign at a show in Houston. Well, since there won't be a Houston show this year (meaning no big signs!), I hope Anathallo has a wonderful holiday season wherever you might find yourselves. Looking forward to Canopy Glow and to next year's tour.

Anonymous said...

You guys bring great music into this beautiful world. Thanks and see you next year!

Andrew said...

Thank YOU so much. As a witness to the first three shows of the US tour, I...who am I kidding, I have nothing to add, I just wanted to say that.

Seriously though, we'd love to have you play at Union University. The barista in the coffee shop has had two Anathallo songs pop up in her mix in the last hour.

Anonymous said...

Virginia in the spring?

Anonymous said...

I really can't tell you guys how much your music means to me. I have been dying to see you live ever since I heard "Don't Kid Yourself" on a Mono vs. Stereo Sampler, and I finally made it in the form of the Calvin College show.

The new album is brilliant, but did anyone honestly expect anything less? I can't wait to see the '09 tour schedule (Western Ohio?), and will do everything in my power to make it to at least one of the stops. Best wishes in Europe and Japan!

Stephen said...

I am taking next semester off so I can follow you all around the country and attend more than three shows.

No. That's a lie. So instead, Union University sounds like a great option.
Canopy Glow is great.

Andy K said...

I'm still mad at myself for missing your Atlanta show. I can't wait to hear Canopy Glow. Have fun on the rest of the tour guys!

KB said...

Have fun in Europe! If you find yourselves in need of anything, especially while in Germany, give me a holla!

Anonymous said...

I(the book binding guy lol)pretty much think you show has been the best show and experience ive had. Im glad i finally go to meet you all. Im working on a few shirt designs right now but most of them are turning out kinda funny and wierd, ill be sure to email them to ya but im deff gonna have to come up with some more ideas that fit the band better.

Ps. If you come back to GA (and please don't make it the masquerade(I hate that place lol)) on your more extensive tour ill have anouther book to show you most likely (this one is gonna be to kasa no hone) or i might get impatient and send you pictures :-p