We're finally releasing our debut album tomorrow! This album was born out of years spent living as a hobo and homesteader. I traveled across North America by thumb and freight train, cutting my teeth busking on street corners and playing in dive bars. Eventually I landed in Alaska, where I lived in remote off-grid cabins and learned a subsistence way of life. Looking back, I think it all came from trying to process my own existence in a world that I often felt alienated from, while searching for some kind of alternative path. These songs were birthed out of that same spirit. They’re an introspective take on the stories, struggles, and scraps of beauty I picked up along the way.
In 2023, my brother joined me in Haines, Alaska, and together we formed Tom Letson & the Letdown. What started as casual fire-side jams on the washboard & guitar quickly grew into something bigger. We first tried to record the album ourselves, but after a handful of failed attempts and nearly a year of saving up our gig pennies, we finally made it into the studio. We recorded the album over six consecutive days at Singing Sands in Portland, OR, keeping things stripped down to just drums, guitar, and vocals. No overdubs, just the way we play live.
I want to thank my partner Ariel Rolfe, and Justin's partner Baylee Pearson for the absurd amount of gigs they showed up to, and for being our unofficial camera crew. My friends Kelsey Lovig and Astor Marchesini for always supporting our music. Sam Shinkle for letting us crash in his basement, and practice songs early in the AM for the week. Our incredible audio engineer Callie Day who was wonderful to work with. Guillermo Serrano Amat for putting the album cover together. And everyone else who donated or just showed up to hear us play.