When I began working on New World Rhythm in 2021, I was sheltered in place. Everything in my day to day slowed down but my mind sped up, which was a ripe situation for writing.

And there was a lot to write about.

I watched through my fingers as the foundation of our society more or less eroded. The COVID-era warm fuzzies of teddy bears in windows and “we’re in this together” sentiments had long worn off—at least on a national scale. All that was left was empty main streets, canceled holidays and intense political division and intolerance.

On top of a global pandemic, environmental disasters like the earthquake in Haiti and the tornadoes in Nashville became harder to ignore. They say the easiest way to unite people is to give them a common enemy. In theory, I suppose this is true. But if the existential threat of climate change wasn’t going to bring us together, what would? Like so many others, I felt helpless.

But being a father, it was on me to resist despair. My family needed me and the more I let the bad stuff consume me and spin me into a web of anxiety, the less good stuff I had to give. After all, I couldn’t politely ask carbon emissions to exit the atmosphere. Nor could I Command-Z the news networks and social media algorithms that reap the benefits of our divide. But in the face of it all—I could choose joy.

So I leaned in to my personal joys and let them illuminate me. Joys like our growing family, long wandering walks, the deluxe edition of Fleetwood Mac’s album Tango in the Night, carrot cake, the words of Mary Oliver, Cubs games on the AM radio and all the chaotic and beautiful stuff of childhood that fills our home. It was all there and all I had to do was slow down and enjoy it.

And by doing so, the world revealed itself in many meaningful ways.

Both internally and externally, I found new rhythm in my life as a human, Dad and artist. I gloried (and continue to) in these precious days with my kids knowing just how fleeting they are. I dialed up the synths and drum machines, finding inspiration in new musical sources while still staying true to my folk-rock origins. And much like the man in the painting by Thomas Locker on the album’s cover, when I looked around, I didn’t just see the world’s problems—I saw the horizons.

Within the songs, you’ll find the very real crackling friction between joy and despair. Songs like “Changing Faces,” “Made It Through,” “Dreamland” and “At Your Door” capture the anxiety of these times, whereas others like “Heartbeat,” “To the Sparrow,” “Don’t Blush,” and “New World Rhythm” are symbolic of the hope I continue to seek and find.

As I write this, the world’s problems persist and evolve, but the horizons remain. All around us, people are fighting for those horizons, be it through passing moments of kindness or bold organized efforts towards positive, meaningful change. It’s inspiring. Which is why today I’m proud to announce my bid for office.

lol jk could you imagine?

But I will be donating 100% of my Bandcamp sales to a different environmental organization every 3 months for the next year. Starting today through September 1, all Bandcamp sales of New World Rhythm and previous albums will go to Arbor Day Foundation, a global nonprofit dedicated to planting trees.

Anyways.

I hope you enjoy the album.

Share with a friend.

Keep your eyes on the horizons.

And join me in getting in rhythm with these incredible organizations out there doing the work.

KAP

Listen and purchase on Bandcamp: https://bit.ly/457s2Ss