As a whole, Songs For The Phonophobic is a collection of songs that I composed (except for one song) and recorded in 13 days over a 13 month period (Jan 2012-Jan 2013). Yes, it took that long. Between me being a husband and father, a professor at a local college, and live performances with my band, things take precedence within a 24-hour day. I guess I could have spent time in my studio instead of taking that one nap or playing a few games of Temple Run. The fact, however, is that spending time with my family is the most important, and recording happens when it does. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The luxury of recording at home allows for such a schedule to exist. I can work as time and inspiration permit within the comfort of my own home without the pressures of getting things done in a timely manner just because the clock (and meter) is running. While I’m not opposed to using an outside studio, this setup works best for me and my creative process.

Except for the song “Lifter” (which was written approximately 10 years ago when we lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area), the songs on this album are a snapshot of where I was musically in the year twenty-twelve. There is no real theme or connection from one song to the next, so it really is a compilation of song styles and musical ideas. The songs were also written separately over a period of time, thus each had its own unique creative, recording, and mixing process. Some songs were written with guitar in hand while sitting on the couch watching TV with my wife. Others were composed as they were being recorded, one part at a time. Even a few were written while in the shower followed by me scrambling for notation paper and pencil so not to lose the idea. Songs present themselves in a variety of ways, and as musicians we need to be ready for the moment when they choose to be revealed.

Originally, I planned on making a very experimental album. My initial idea was to write a number of songs on acoustic (similar to a singer/songwriter approach) and then take them into the studio where I would deconstruct and reconstruct them in completely different settings while keeping the integrity of the musical work (i.e., the melody) intact. Then, I would release two separate albums: the reconstructed “experimental” album and the acoustic-only version of each song. That didn't happen. The songs that appear on Songs For The Phonophobic came instead. Ah, the best laid plans…

(Incidentally, I still want to do that idea. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that it will happen when it happens.)

Why the title? It is a nice play on the nature and aggression found in the songs as a whole. The definition of the word phonophobia is the abnormal fear of noise or a morbid fear of sounds including your own voice. That idea just stuck with me: the fear of loud noises or of one’s own voice. Thus, this album is the bizarre-o world version of lullabies used to sooth those with this affliction. Cute, eh? PLAY AT MAXIMUM VOLUME!!!