What We Did

Collaboration between Dan Matz (Windsor for the Derby, Birdwatcher) and Michael Gira (Angels of Light). "Dan Matz and I recorded these songs at his (various) house(s) over the course of two years. This was completely collaborative, in that one of us would present the other a simple, basic idea, and then we'd build on it together, sharing completely in the songwriting process. In general, we alternate lead vocals from song to song throughout the album. We used a variety of instruments, including our voices, acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, various organs, piano, synthesizer, drums and percussion (as well as a simple drum machine), harmonica, banjo, a few samples here and there, various toy and miniature percussion instruments. In addition, James Plotkin contributed guitar and background voice on a few songs. Anna Neighbor contributed background voice on a few songs....Dan did all of the engineering on the record, to excellent effect, I believe. We both learned how to do this recording as it unfolded, and let the songs grow according to their own will -- whatever seemed called for at the time. Nothing was really preconceived by either of us, in terms of arrangement. As I've said elsewhere regarding this project, we look at it as a 'pop' record, our view of which, admittedly, might differ from the usual implied connotation." --Michael Gira, Angels of Light /Young God Records