Haulerdaze by Luke Sweeney

For something created with such a simple premise, Christmas has grown to become a strange, eerily permeating construction that is altogether overwhelming and peaceful, isolating and comforting. Everybody in this country experiences it, but that experience isn't uniform. In recent years, it has become a delightful obsession of mine to de- and re-construct both the holiday itself and the song cycle that perpetuates it. So, I started my own little tradition a couple years ago, that goes something like this: I call up my comrade Roberto, who will commit to one magical night of musical mischief with me. For the tune, I always have some real Christmastime sentiment prepared. Roberto helps me lay down some basic texture tracks to a beat, and remains patient while I fill in the blanks of the songwriting. Meanwhile, he's building makeshift sound booths, getting the perfect synth setting, or notching the reverb up to immortal levels for the ultimate wood block sound. We work quickly, have a good time, and something unexpected always turns up for a pleasant surprise. When we emerge a few hours later, we have a holiday-themed tune ready to share with folks!

(three original tunes recorded over three consecutive winters)

A bicycle crash left a young Sweeney with his jaw wired shut for six weeks, and in recovering, his sustenance was on a guitar. What was he chasing?

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