Translations by Michael Feuerstack

I think the biggest lesson I learned from making this record is that interpretation is creation.

These are 14 songs I love by some of my favourite artists. I wanted to see what they could teach me, and also what I could bring to them.

This whole thing feels quite personal. Even though I believe that songs are for sharing, I don’t sing a lot of covers. Often I feel strange trying to embody the sentiments of others (a voice is such a personal thing). I have lots of favourites, but the ones comprised here are some that I found myself able to sing. That is to say, they felt convincing coming from me.

Normally I write and perform my own songs, or collaborate with others on their material. The original reason I got into music was to make songs, and I never really went through a period of learning by playing the music of others. This approach has given me my own impressionistic style. There is something special about stepping back now, and applying my way of creating to the unique works of others. I wanted to know some of my favourite songs in a new way.

When you get to know someone really well, your language starts to change. You begin to paraphrase your own thoughts. You become at once lazier and more precise. You take liberties, omit some details and embellish others. Somehow, all of this improvisation is part of an effort to be better understood. My favourite songs contain some of this flexibility – not just lyrically but in the relationship between the words and music as well. I’ve tried to tap into that spirit in my relationship with these songs.

I intended Translations to be listened to as an album. It feels helpful to keep the songs in conversation with one another. I collected and assembled the songs, and I invite you to listen to find your own connections.

Enjoy and thank you for listening.

Tracklist

1.	I'll Keep it With Mine	3:39

2.	Oklahoma USA	2:15

3.	They're Blind	3:29

4.	Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood	3:00

5.	Factory	2:11

6.	Fear Is A Man's Best Friend	3:16

7.	Altar Boy	1:56

8.	Living Without You	2:19

9.	Trust	3:18

10.	Sleep of the Just	3:40

11.	Gepetto	2:27

12.	Turn Me On	2:34

13.	The Birds Will Still Be Singing	2:56

14.	Who Knows Where The Time Goes?	4:43

Credits

released January 7, 2022

These songs were selected and translated from their original versions by Michael Feuerstack with lots of help. Look at the individual song pages for more specific credits and unique artwork for each track.

Mike Belyea played and recorded the drums.
Tim Crabtree played and recorded the sax and clarinet.
Laurel Sprengelmeyer did some singing.
Mixed by Michael Feuerstack at Salad Feelings.
Mastered by Harris Newman at Grey Market.
Artwork by Jon Claytor.
Big love and thanks to these contributors, for their generous and soulful additions. Thanks also to Katie Ward and Ian Roy for their indispensable insights. I’m lucky to know you all.

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