Scenes from Tiny Town by Jonathan Epstein

Here the arrangements are quite different than how the songs were being performed with the experimental rock trio. The remaining tracks were written during the recording process. In some cases, these new songs were written using the studio as a compositional tool, and the versions you hear on the album are the original takes.

Jonathan cites several influences and styles ranging from heartfelt songwriting and singing ala The Band, spontaneous composition ala Sonic Youth, dreamy multi-layered guitarscapes ala Bill Frisell, dynamic one-man band Jon Brion, dark and moody DIY'ers like Yo La Tengo and Pavement, and guitar freak-outs ala Timothy Young.

A song-by-song breakdown:

400 Words - This was written in what can only be described as "a haze" on a plane ride from Austin, TX, to Seattle, WA. Somewhere in there is a song about a pen pal. I think.

Dysfunctional Toe - Dedicated to my toe. This song has seen three lives. This is its second life - a somewhat dingy industrial one at that.

Farms Made of Stone - I didn't write this. I had the chance to be a member of Quinn W. Shagbark's Wear White and Come When I Call Orchestra in December of 2004. We played this song and it reminded me of a song I would write if I were that cool.

Empathetic Thumb - Written about the thumb on my right hand which empathizes greatly with the thumb on my left hand.

Melissa Molasses - A revamped version of a song that I wrote a few years ago. I've actually combined it with a new song to make a much more effective song than it was when it was first written.

A Day and a Half - only a few seconds shows up on the album, but this song is really a day and a half long when played in its entirety. Dedicated to the busker in the Court House Metro station.

Apples - This ode to Tiny Town was written while enjoying apple pie and apple cider.

Cart Race - A song of unrequited love. For my employer.

Custis - Based on an overheard conversation on a subway ride and inspired by the sight of a Humple Pie record and the contents of its spine. And, of course, named for the bike path I ride everyday.

Last Night - That's last night as in final night not yesterday's night as in the final night of recording as in the very last thing that was recorded as in the end of this album.

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