The video above covers our group vocal sessions for the new album, Live Life Slow, and was the last phase of the recording before sending off the files for mixing. We spent an entire weekend our at Littlebeck Farm in April with the whole band and a bunch of our closest friends. It turned out to be the most memorable part of the whole album recording. We simply had a blast. Singing with all those voices and harmonies just can’t be beat. Truly, truly!

Here’s a call out to everyone who participated: (pictured below, left to right) top row – John Rodriguez, Nathan McDonald, David McDonald, Jordan McDonald, Bryan Bauer; bottom row – Amanda Rodriquez, Jessica McDonald, Libby Ungs, Leah Shearer, Amanda Samo (band cheerleader, and Bryan’s fiancé!). Not pictured: Kari McDonald (Jordan’s wife who also sang).

The band would now like to introduce Libby Ungs, our new piano and organ player. Libby played a couple shows with us back in the fall of 2011. She’s been friends with David for a while, and we quickly found out she’s always wanted to play piano with us. She’s been a great addition to the band, and she is a very talented player, with a background in classical, blues, and jazz. Her first recording session with us was actually for the single Made In The USA where she got to join the clapping crew. Since then, she has played some fantastic organ and piano parts for the new album, Live Life Slow. She has a beautiful piano solo on the song Live Life Slow, and did some very unique piano parts for I Will Rise For You and Confession. On top of that, she’s learning the Super Mario Brothers theme song.

Libby Ungs drinking some fabulous coffee, brewed by Jordan

We had the opportunity this winter to have Shawn Stonesifer and Ben Tuula add their touch to a number of songs on the new album, Live Life Slow. Shawn was as sick as a dog the two nights he recorded, but still pulled off some beautiful and funky playing, particularly on If Your Head Is Made Of Wax. Ben Tuula was able to record some sweet guitar solos for a few songs, and his unique flavor is all over Play It Cool. We were glad both of them could be part of this project.

This past week Jessica and Nathan’s son, Griffin, had his second birthday. Back around Christmas the band released our first single called Made In The USA which was written for him. We don’t think many people were aware it even happened, so we’re highlighting it again and adding a short film of the making of the single.

You can download the song for $1 buck off of Bandcamp (or see sidebar), which includes a two-part interview with the band and mixer Paul Redel, and the chord chart. The song is also on iTunes, but does not include the interview and chord chart. Enjoy!

The band would like to introduce Bryan Bauer, our new guitarist. Bryan started playing some shows with us last summer, and officially joined the band in late fall 2011. Over the winter months Bryan has added many electric guitar tracks to our upcoming album, Live Life Slow, and the video above features highlights from those sessions. His Gibson SG has a particular tone on the new song Beards that simply makes the song (though Bryan wishes it would cooperate more and stay in tune!).