Born and Raised 10-Year Instagram post

I’m not usually big on “album birthdays” (I tend to keep my eyes on the road ahead and not look back) but this is a very special record that means a lot to me, and that I’ve learned means a lot to people. Here are some thoughts about Born And Raised that come to mind on the occasion of its tenth anniversary. It’s the least documented album I’ve ever made - only some Polaroids and a few iphone pics were taken. It was a very special experience that those working on it knew was special at the time, which is pretty rare. It wasn’t made with any consideration for the outside world. It was a deeply personal and tightly-knit creative process that took nothing external into account. When it first came out, nobody really took to it. It didn’t have the same chordal complexity that I was known for at the time, and instead focused more on the lyrical aspect of things. I think there’s a sincerity to the relative simplicity of the chords that let the words carry the message. To this day, these songs are still some of my favorites to play live. The friendships that were forged on this record were deep, and those bonds continue between myself and everyone tagged in this post. If I may be so bold as to offer some advice: the fact that this record has grown over the years in terms of people’s connection with it is hardcore proof that you shouldn’t always make art for the moment you’re releasing it in. Release week is one fraction of the lifespan of an album, and sometimes it’s worth making a statement that blooms over time. Everyone who worked on this album knew from the beginning it touched on some rare magic. And that was always going to be enough - but the fact that it’s found a place in people’s hearts is a wonderful bonus, and proof that we weren’t crazy in feeling like we’d made something meaningful. So thank you for growing up with and growing into this love-filled little record called Born And Raised. Maybe it’s time for another one like it…