Almost three years ago, in November ’22, we were in Iceland at Flóki Studios beginning work on Higher Education, which is out today on all streaming platforms.
Of all the projects I’ve been lucky enough to be part of at Flóki, this one sits in a special corner of my heart. The time of year, the people in the room
@nayarockers ,
@n8_bass ,
@greentreekeys ,
@andybassford , Alex Berum, and
@easybakelovvin , the music, the talent, and the intention. It was one of those sessions where the music, the people, and the intention all lined up perfectly.
We tracked to tape on our
@maramachines refurbished Sony MCI 24-track, then carried these songs across the world, adding incredible horns and vocals, and finally into the hands of
@thestephenstewart , who mixed most of the record in Jamaica. Late nights, northern lights, rhythm and laughter in the “bubble” near the Arctic Circle. It was magic.
We didn’t know it at the time, but Caroline was already pregnant with our son, Caelum. We found out two weeks later at the next session. So for me, listening back now as a dad, the message at the core of this record lands even heavier.
The world is a complicated, sometimes terrible place. We all know that. But it is also full of beauty and grace around every corner if you look for it. This album was built on that idea: kindness, love, unity, positivity. The kind of things I want and hope for Caelum, and his generation, to inherit not just as words, but as ways of being.
“Before you think the worst, take a positive approach first.”
So today, I’m grateful. Grateful to be part of music that can carry a little light into the world. Grateful to the people who gave themselves to this project. And grateful for the chance to keep choosing love as the lesson worth passing on.
Special shout out to Nathan Sabanayagum (
@nayarockers &
@nayarecords ) for all the work across these three years!
Featured artists:
@stephenmarley @ivanneville @hectorrootslewis @therealqueenomega @mikelovemusic @clintonfearon @sisternancy @micahshmiahmusic 
