Terrorbird

My "career" in music is about to enter its 13th year. Lucky 13! I've performed in at least 15 groups (probably more on the order of 20 if you
count guest spots) over the years, the most prominent being the long-running "quiet music" combo Son of Earth and the short-lived-but-much-
hyped Believers. Historically more of an experimental man, the Believers project showcased my always right-below-the-surface interest and pas-
sion for all things rock, and so, a couple of years after the demise of that group, I was approached by Ecstatic Peace, who asked me to produce
a solo record. For the better part of a year I conceptualized, recruited, and eventually came up withI Couldn't Love You More. An early attempt
to marry electronics, field recordings, and song was scrapped in favor of the personal and perhaps obvious choice of producing a covers
record. It was the perfect idea, the realization of a dream. Years of singing in the shower and on long car trips had given way to the stuff of fan-
tasy. Why stick to what you know when you can reach for what you've always desired?
I asked friends to help with the realization. John Moloney, Phil Franklin, Ron Schneiderman, and Rob Thomas (all of Sunburned Hand of the
Man), I've known for years. Same with J Mascis. Old friends John Shaw (who I've done more music with than anyone) and Lynn Meyers provide
some vocals here and there, as does my wife, Jamie Jo Oltmans. The Wild Card here is John Townsend. Andrew Kesin of Ecstatic Peace intro-
duced me to him, and he was a jack-of-all-trades. He plays on most of the tracks, sometimes exclusively, and co-produced. I chose songs from
all over the map, from Rick Danko to John Martyn to the great Bill Fay. Not exactly lightweights, and quite intimidating when their full historical
weight is taken into account. However, I attacked each piece with the intensity of one who truly loves these songs. I didn't concern myself with
being overly arty or inventive in my interpretations (there are no truly radical re-workings of anything here), instead allowing my own emotional
investment in the material to guide me and inform the other players. These are songs of love and longing. The themes are eternal. It's an honor
to have had the chance to play them. Enjoy the music.
Matt Krefting, December 2008