My friendship with Stephen goes back to over a decade ago and what began as fun 4track tape exchange has blossomed into one of the most inspiring friendships I have ever known. I have loved watching him ...or more accurately listening to his music style progress and morph over the years; not just as a member of Cave In, but as a solo performer as well. I still get giddy when he tells me he has new songs for me to check out and I count our musical collaborations (see Ringfinger) as one my most favorite creative adventures ever.

A few months ago Stephen told me that he had recorded a song by one of my favorite artists of all time and promptly posted the song (along with a new song of his) on YouTube. I nearly wept for joy, not only because of my deep love for all things Lee Hazlewood but because his version of "Your Sweet Love" is so sad and haunting. Blinded at first by his incredible cover I am ashamed to admit I blew past the new song; but when I eventually circled back around again to focus on "Muddy Jar", I was blown away by its melancholic beauty. These two songs nestle perfectly together and I felt like they were destined to live on one record together. I can't really explain what came over me. I have heard a lot of music by Stephen over the years but this was the first time I have ever come to Stephen to ask him to allow me to release specific solo material. I love these two songs am so truly ecstatic that I will have an opportunity to release them officially this year.

 We don’t have an exact date for when this will come out but I am thinking it will be this summer if all goes according to plan.