In the Studio with Thor & Friends

Thor & Friends recording session POV from my piano bench

In the whirlwind aftermath of Thursday's Indie Orchestra extravaganza, one might expect a well-deserved rest. But life, ever relentless, beckoned me forth to yet another musical endeavor — a weekend of recording with the formidable ensemble known as Thor & Friends.

My journey with T&F began in the Fall of 2022. As a longtime fan, it's been a thrill to immerse myself in the sonic depths of this colossal collective.

Our sanctuary for this recording odyssey? The grandeur of Jessen Hall, nestled within the University of Texas campus. This acoustically gifted space, a familiar haunt from my decades of performances there, promised to be the ideal canvas for our musical tapestry to unfold.

Ordinarily wielding lap or pedal steel in T&F, our esteemed producer Craig Ross (renowned for his work with Patty Griffin, Daniel Johnston, and Robert Plant) decreed a more purist approach — acoustic-only recordings, captured live in the room's natural sound. The stakes were high: with every note resonating in pristine clarity, any misstep — or amp buzz — demanding a complete retake. Preferring to spare my comrades — and myself — from such headaches, I opted to channel my sound through the hall's lovely Steinway piano (with steel overdubs slated for a later date). Hardly a compromise, as the piano was a dream to play.

And that’s a wrap (photo: Allison Durst)

As the weekend unfolded, our collective energy surged. The symbiotic dance of our musical elements, nurtured by the hall's impeccable acoustics, cast a spell of sonic enchantment. In this harmonious cocoon, we found ourselves immersed in a gentle sonic stew, perhaps yielding some of our most inspired and interactive performances to date. Even Thor's latest composition, unveiled to me in real-time during recording (I missed the rehearsal during which it was introduced, resonated with a restrained simmering that left us sitting in silence at the end. At least until some jackass broke the spell with “that was fucking awesome!” (ok, that was me).

With the last notes echoing through the hall, we transitioned into a photo session — a fitting wind down to our sonic odyssey. The fruits of our labor, destined to become the two (2!) forthcoming Thor & Friends records slated for release next year on Joyful Noise Records, await their moment in the spotlight. Rest assured, I'll let you know when they’re out.

But for now... a little sleep.

(Cover photo by David Brendan Hall)