Mischief, Mystique and the Muse

My new album, Unfolding the Muse, comes out on September 9, 2016. It’s a collection of 15 songs that reflect the moods and themes I tend to circle back to—travel, nostalgia, whimsy, romance and a bit of melancholy. I’ve always been drawn to atmosphere in music, and I tried to create that through layered strings, subtle textures and emotional imagery throughout the album.

I recorded and mixed the entire album myself using Logic and a couple of cardioid condenser mics. I wanted to preserve the small imperfections—the happy accidents—that often give a track its personality. Without strict time constraints, each song had space to take shape naturally.

Tracks like “Lakes of Champaign” are rooted in nostalgia, pulling from memories of youth and love. “If My Paper Boat Could Sail” plays like a quiet reflection, led by classical guitar patterns. One of the more visual songs, “Lemon-Yellow Rendezvous,” was inspired by Van Gogh’s bedroom paintings—trying to tap into both the wonder and struggle behind the artist’s work.

Melody and counter-melody play a big role throughout the album. I focused on weaving the guitar lines in and around the vocals, letting them meander a bit to create a layered, almost conversational sound.