Jefferson would be in mine too. Some truly iconic songs on that record that paved the way for their huge debut to the masses on MMHMM
I don't think anyone will disagree with this but Matt Thiessen really is an incredible songwriter. The early stuff, while not incredibly groundbreaking, demonstrates this so well, I think. An example I'll share that relates to their Christmas songs is their very first original (and basically their very first released Christmas song), "Santa Claus Is Thumbing To Town." I chatted with Mark Lee Townsend once about this song because it's probably my favorite upbeat, original Christmas song and I wanted to know how this song came about. Because it randomly showed up on one of those T&N/BEC Christmas compilations, Happy Christmas Vol. 3 back in 2001, well before Deck The Halls, Bruise Your Hand was released. I asked MLT if the song had been demoed or written during an album session. Did the brand practice it? Work out some kinks with it? Add their own ideas? He told me Thiessen just showed up one day to MLT's home studio with the song ready to go and the band recorded it...no other prep. I love that song and love it even more knowing Thiessen just popped up one day with a fully fleshed out and, frankly, well-written and funny Christmas original.
He’s a very gifted songwriter. Relient k was my favorite band in middle school and was my gateway into pop punk. I haven’t listened to them much since forget, but always a fan. I’m just so intrigued that he has this pretty storied career with his band, co wrote a massive pop single and then seemingly disappeared to come back every few years to put out a record. He must be financially set and happy to create when he wants to and occasionally tour.
Yes. RK’s current drummer, Christian, recorded drums last year for an entire album of songs written by Thiessen (with Aaron Sprinkle producing, no less). He said he wasn’t allowed to disclose who the project/artist was yet but it’s not Relient K. So he’s still quite active, it seems.
maybe & the earthquakes? would be weird to write an entire album for someone else. but maybe that's how pop works, what do i know
There's a lot of bands where the singer is not the songwriter, and a LOT of pop artists who don't write their own songs either. I guess there is a chance that he's a member of a new band, but doesn't sing in it? I want more info!!
Yeah, for sure. I recall hearing an announcement they were working Aaron Sprinkle and assumed it would result in a full-length...instead it was just a couple songs, which was a little disappointing. I do think Mark Lee Townsend has been fantastic for them and understand why they've made most of their records with him.
One of my first dates with my wife was to the Looking For America tour that year. Come on, new record...
I remember when the wait between Forget And Not Slow Down (2009) and Collapsible Lung (2013) and then Collapsible Lung to Air For Free both seemed impossibly long. Can’t believe it’s been 10 years now.
I asked my now wife to come to that tour too! We’d been dating less than a month and she couldn’t make it but I went. It worked out for us though lol