Fallen Empires

Snow Patrol – singer Gary Lightbody, guitarist Nathan Connolly, bassist Paul Wilson, drummer Jonny Quinn, and keyboardist Tom Simpson – settled into California for the writing and recording of Fallen Empires. Work began late in 2010 out in the Mojave Desert at Joshua Tree's Rancho De La Luna Studios, then moved to a beachfront house in Santa Monica known as Eagles Watch. Backing vocals on one track were drawn from the south central L.A. Inner City Mass Gospel Choir of Compton. Finally, the bank hunkered down at long-time collaborator Garret 'Jacknife' Lee's hacienda in Topanga Canyon, a former hippy commune that was once home to Woody Guthrie and Neil Young. In addition to Van Leeuwen, R.E.M.'s Michael Stripe proved lyrical support, and eclectic Los Angeles singer-songwriter Lissie contributed vocals to four tracks.