So, I did this thing last record where I wrote a bunch of public thank you notes to everyone who helped out on the album. I’m going to do the same thing this time - but I want to start with a unique person on the eve of the first single.
The second record would not be possible without Victoria Butash - even though she didn’t work on it. But, LP2 wouldn’t exist without LP1, and LP1 wouldn’t exist without Tori.
She was the superhero behind the first record. When I knew next to nothing, she was a lighthouse to point towards the right way to make music with friends. She recorded and mixed nearly everything you hear on the record.
Here are a few things about Tori.
She’s a killer sound engineer - that’s her bread and butter. But on this project, she was also a killer producer. Her artistic guidance was invaluable from recording through mixing.
She has an unparalleled work ethic - in everything, but also in music. She combines technical know-how with a knack for in the moment problem-solving (personnel problems included). She was with us for 48-hour recording sprints at Oranjudio and a marathon of mixing and revisions in the months to follow. She treated me, and everyone, with respect through the whole process.
This all collapses into one thing - Tori is a role model. She taught me some basic lessons in how to speak clearly for what you believe in, treat people with dignity and professionalism (especially when they are volunteering their expertise at a steep discount), and how to take accountability for everything within your control. She taught me a lot about being a leader, including when to get out of the way so your collaborators can do what they’re best at.
Tori is touring the country running live sound for big bands that make records I love - because of course she is. She’s killing it. For all the above reasons. This is what she’s great at.
One of my favorite things about the first record is how the acoustic guitar sounds. Tori tried a few different mic techniques, including hanging one just over my shoulder, pointing down towards the guitar. Whenever I hear the guitar on Travel, the sound still floors me. That’s thanks to Tori.
Thanks, Tori. Cheers to the future.