6 Years of Finding Foundations

Finding Foundations: Vol. I cover art by REO

Six years ago today, I released my debut EP, Finding Foundations: Vol. I. I had no plan, I didn’t even know that December is regarded as literally the worst month to release music. All I knew was that I had a couple a cappella songs that I liked, that the audiences I was performing for seemed to like, and that I should record and release them. I really only did it to get my name out there before I released an album that I’d written that never came to be (“Fallin’” and the title You + I are the only things that made it out of that collection of songs).

I ended up recording “No Time to Lose,” “Learn Your Lesson,” and “Fallin’" (Remix)” in my dad’s home studio at my parents’ old home in Philly over the course of a long weekend. Without much knowledge of logic, and having never really recorded myself in any serious capacity, I just used what I knew from my studio experiences in the past and went for it. My best work has always been born out of necessity, Vol. I was no different.

recording Vol. I in my dad's studio

The lead single wasn’t even meant to be on this first body of work. I’d written “No Time to Lose” only 2 weeks before I’d gone home to record, and in a last minute decision, I decided to lay it down instead of “Shine” (which ended up on Vol. II). After playing it for my big brother, Taylor, he said I should send it to Worldwide FM DJ, Gilles Peterson. Gilles ended up loving the song and played it for his global audience, even adding it to his Brownswood Bubblers series.

The rest is history. I could have never imagined the journey these 3 a cappella songs would take me on. These last 6 years have been filled with immense growth, not only as a musician, but as a human being.

Thank you all for joining me on this journey, I am incredibly grateful to each and every one of you. I can’t wait for you to hear the new music that has grown out these 3 a cappella songs.