What is the feel of the album? The vibe? The idea?

Originally, we were going to call the album “GOING YESTERDAY.” Our thinking behind that title was that we were harkening back to a time before now, when things were different, perhaps easier to understand, more relatable … Unfortunately, when we originally announced the contest, we mistakenly framed it as an “escape” to yesterday. A retreat. A running away.

That was not our intention.

Rather, we were thinking…. “Remember when we actually stood up for things and held true to our convictions? When we actually did our due diligence and tried to inform ourselves instead of just bending over and taking it, no matter what the “it” was? Damn, what happened to us? It’s like we’re all sheep now, clinging to a “side” or a “team” just because it’s easier to grab the low-hanging fruit and retreat into complacency than to actually think…. You can do what you want, I guess.. but as for me, I’m going to keep my focus as I did yesterday…. I’m not crumbling. I’m not giving in. I’m GOIN’ YESTERDAY…”

That was the idea.

Then, we came up with the idea of calling the album “UP TO ME.” The thinking here was… “I’ve stopped waiting for the hero, the Dealer of Light, the mystic with the best lines. I’ve stopped clinging to a tribe. I’ve discovered that those who say they are here to help and have our best interests at heart actually do not. I am a piece on their board. But no more. I’m not an idiot. Discovery and learning and being well-informed are well within my reach… and those whom I love and are most important to me will be my focus. I’ve discovered that it’s not up to anyone else… it’s up to me.” 

It’s a more empowering theme, we thought. It’s sort of the final stop of “GOING YESTERDAY. Where the former is a spot along the journey, the other is more of a destination.

But we’ve decided against that one, too.