Acknowledgements
It is a true honor to have served as the principal architect for Shatter and Fade, but its completion is far from my accomplishment alone.
First and foremost I’d like to thank my family: Mom, Dad, Andrew, Grandma Judy, Grandpa Marv, Uncle Mark, Lisa, Mia, Kate, Amanda, Grandma Dot, Arizete, Lora, and m’love of m’life Samantha. Your unwavering commitment to keeping our family together through the challenges of the last few years overwhelms me with gratitude. Thanking you feels woefully insufficient but I want you to know that you are my role models, my closest confidantes, most trusted advisors, and collectively the greatest mutual support system I never could have asked for.
I hope you feel that these songs meaningfully reflect our shared experience.
Phil Barnes, who produced Shatter and Fade in its entirety, has repeatedly gone so far above and beyond the scope of his duties that it is impossible to imagine recording this with anyone else. From opening his studio early, staying past closing hours (just to record a moderately stupid cover of Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” that I plan on sharing with almost no one), making vital introductions, providing insightful guidance, and pouring his heart into each track, he has continuously exceeded every reasonable expectation anyone could have for someone in his role.
Phil, this album simply would not be what it is without you and I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all the ways you’ve come through as a collaborator and friend.
The force of nature that is Audrey Davidson fatefully popped out of the woodwork of the internet and wove herself into the fabric of my life. Without prompting, she started designing graphics for lyrics she liked on my first EP and they were so impressive that I asked her if she would take a stab at developing the album artwork for Shatter and Fade. Little did I know how faithfully her creations would capture the essence of this album. As grateful as I am for her talent as a graphic designer, my favorite parts about Audrey lie far outside the boundaries of her multifaceted skill-sets. She is razor sharp, uncommonly kind, endures hardship with tremendous poise, and sucks so bad at League of Legends that it makes me feel like I’m a world class gamer. Thank you for everything, you wonderful human.
Speaking of League of Legends, what’s left of my sanity would not remain without the constant companionship sustained through a shameful amount of time spent in Summoner’s Rift with Arjun, Andrew, Sean-Bobby, Samantha, Timmay, Dustin, Devon, and Rod. Honorable mention to the Feeders: Ben, Zach, and Aaron. I have truly loved every second of playing with you all, win or (statistically more likely) lose.
Creative team
By the time the last track on Shatter and Fade was mixed and mastered, about 5 years had elapsed from its conception. During that time, a dream team of world-class music lovers materialized to contribute their time and energy to the creation of this EP .
My sincerest gratitude goes out to:
Evan Seiling - thank you for adding some of the most essential sounds to Waiting for the Phone to Ring, Hannah, and Button Down. Your contributions on guitar, drums, synths, and cello breathed a new level of depth and expressiveness into the sonic landscape of these recordings. Your gentle demeanor, reflective nature, sweet disposition, and talent as a musician added irreplaceable elements to the album as a whole.
Phil Lawson - you are the sickest drummer I have ever laid ears upon. I remember saying to Phil Barnes when we started recording over the parts you tracked that I felt like I was learning how to play my own song better from you. Thank you for bringing an entirely different level of musicianship to this record.
Jon Jetter - I reached out looking for a teacher and I found a mentor who gave selflessly to me as a student and a project that you knew meant the world to me. You helped in ways you didn’t have to and I appreciate that from the bottom of my heart.
Kaitlin Gladney - only a friend (with a tremendous talent and skill for photography) could take photos that capture someone’s image in as intimate a way as yours do. It’s a gift to have done the photos for this project with you. I love our catch up calls throughout the year and dinner hangs in Nashville.
Lucas Fehring - what a happy twist of fate that we would cross paths. Your quality control notes at the end of the mixing process helped us fix some key issues before mastering. You are a brilliant engineer and this album is better because you were involved in the process of making it.
Danny Faulkner - for your warm and healing hospitality, your enthusiastic encouragement and infectious, immersive devotion to and love of music.
Ron Alexenburg - you are my long lost music business godfather. From the first time we spoke I felt as if I’d known you my whole life. Thank you for your patience as I finished the EP, for your commitment as a partner in putting this music on the map, and most importantly, treating me with respect in all facets of our relationship.
Dale Becker - for mastering the sh*t out of this record. Wow. Just… wow. It’s such a privilege to have had you involved.
Sam Moses - for mastering the sh*t out of the live sessions.
Logen, Hope, Becker, Kate, and the Stormlight crew - for your incredible work shooting the live sessions and the Shatter and Fade music video.
Sara Underwood - for tracking some gorgeous harmonies and background vocals on Time.
Anna Kline - for singing killer harmonies in the live videos.
Parker Roberts - for mix assisting and being the kind and gentle soul who made the Utopia studio a better place to be.
Beau Scheier - for helping me develop the concept for the album art.
Wes Harlee, Jon Truman, and Phil B - for bringing the 2000s pop-punk spice to the Shatter and Fade music video.
To all my friends, family, and collaborators, of whom there are too many to name, I love and appreciate you more than I can say.
Thank you for everything.