Covid Calculus...

When the veil of COVID dropped over all of us my first reaction was ‘this feels like a dream, and it will go away soon’. Of course, it did not. None of us knew how long it would last but no one thought tomorrow was 3 years off. I started writing these songs about the time we went into hiding on San Juan Island in the Pacific Northwest. Along with a particularly disturbing political and social atmosphere it became quite a soup in which to simmer these songs.

Subconsciously, the songs seem to have tracked with all that was going on and at times the emotional capitulation I was feeling. I, like many others were then, was forced inward to confront my demons and meet my angels. Through it all I had the music I was creating, my partner Kit and our beautiful island. 

I recorded nearly everything for this album in my home studio. Unless noted below I produced, engineered, played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, keys, programmed drums, and sang all vocal parts. 

Over the years I have occasionally played bass and on some earlier recordings I programmed the bass parts. This time I bought a bass and played a real bass consistently on almost every track. I love playing the bass... it can be so melodic. In addition to anchoring a song it can also lead a song and dictate the mood. 

Mastering and hand holding was done by Matthew Noble at The Loft in Bronxville NY. Both Kit and Jeff Severson listened over and over and over to all the songs, providing invaluable advice on how to find the way forward with them.

In the end this collection paints a picture of my lows, my highs, and the parts of me I was introduced to through isolation and fear that the world we knew was not coming back.

Here are the tracks and additional credits:

Covid Calculus

Piano, Matthew Noble

I Don’t Know Why

Electric guitar and piano by Matthew Noble

Can’t Let it Go

Percussion programmed and keys played by Matthew Noble

When You Run Dry

Sometimes I Whisper

A Prayer

Strings orchestrated by Mike "Mac" McCormick

Cover photograph by Lisa Mize Photography

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My Story...

Growing up I must have picked up my father’s old Gibson about 100 times but it never tempted me beyond a couple of chords and sore fingers. Later in my high school years I heard James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, America and the Raspberries! There was no going back. Now I HAD to learn how to play that guitar! The first thing I tried to do once I got serious was to write a song. I haven't stopped writing since that day.

The world of songwriting these days is a complicated one and it's hard to get noticed. So, if you enjoy my music please do a few things:

• Buy a song or two
• Hit the like button on any Facebook posts I make
• Add me to a playlist on Spotify or Apple Music
• Share my music on any social media you inhabit (see links below)

Now a bit of history...

My first experience playing in a band was as lead singer in the hard rock band Holland. Although I felt like a fish out of water, I could sing the songs well and it WAS a band! The most amazing moment was when I got paid after my very first gig. I said, "what is this for?" The manager said, "we get paid to do this". Amazing! It was like the waiter picking up the check at the end of the meal.

After leaving Holland a year or so later, I joined a country rock band called The Stone Gap Band… a solid bunch of players who loved Willie and Waylon, Hank and the Byrds. I handled about half the lead vocals and rhythm guitar work. This felt closer to what I was built for, but I must admit... I did like to rock.

Then I was introduced to the music of Tom Petty by Matt Noble. I have known Matt throughout my life, and he has given his time and wisdom to help lift up my songs. Matt has a resume listing his work with industry greats as long as your arm. I eventually joined his band, The Noble Brothers. Along with Matt, his brother Rob and wild man Dody on drums we had a great run playing clubs in the Washington DC area. Those years were formative, playing 5 or 6 nights a week. 

Along the way I worked in a music store in Richmond VA and connected with Matthew Costello who said he had a home studio and would I like to try writing some songs and recording them. Uuuuh, yeah! To this day Matthew is a great friend and musical compatriot. Those first recordings and writing sessions were pure magic for me. I draw on those lessons every day.

Then I met Jeff Severson, musician/songwriter/fingerstyle acoustic guitarist and former member of the power pop band, "4 Out of 5 Doctors" (search for the song "Modern Man" - you won't be sorry). This has been the most formative musical relationship I have ever had. To this day I use Jeff as a sounding board for my new songs. He is constantly honing my songwriting chops. Eventually, I was honored to have two (Jeff and Tommy Ballew) of the 4 Out of 5 Doctors support me at the opening showcase for my first album, “Pretty World”, which Jeff produced as well as adding his keyboard and guitar playing to the  album. 

Six albums in, I continue to work hard to write the best songs I can. Matt, Matthew, and Jeff are still the core of my musical circle.

Hopefully I will get to play some of these songs for you live. In the meantime, thanks for dropping by.

All my best, 

Roy