The musicians recently discussed the new material, which was recorded by Chuck Alkazian at Pearl Sound Studio outside Detroit.
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Jeremy: "Everyone had a solid part in writing every single song on the album and that was by intent this time. Before, we were bringing in everybody after the fact — but we're moving forward as a band. We wanted to go above and beyond this time. Chris Stewart out of Versailles, who was in Able Danger, does some promoting and advisory work and he recommended Chuck."
Jeff: "He's a for-real producer. He's worked with groups like Pop Evil and Sponge."
Lynne: "We had no idea what to expect when we went up there. We had done everything ourselves before, so there was some pushback when he started picking these songs apart and changing little things where we didn't want to change them. It was push-and-pull for a while."
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Andy: "We went there with how we think the songs should be and then got his advice on them. Then we spent the time recording them on quality gear. It felt like a next-level thing getting in with a professional producer. We worked sunrise to sundown, so it was a good learning experience for everybody."
Jeff: "It was exhausting. I slept on that couch in the studio multiple times. Then you hear stories that it was the same couch where George Clinton was passed out."
Jeremy: "It was pretty intimidating to record there. It was pretty intense but we made it through. Chuck guided us through and let us know when we were on the right track. More than anything, that was his greatest benefit to us as a band."
Lynne: "It's hard to be objective about your own music, but this is the first of the three I can actually listen to. I don't really critique it like I critique the other ones. I don't cringe when I listen to it. Overall, I'm very satisfied with this record and very proud of it."
Artist info: www.thetypicaljohnsons.com
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