Ever since I was a child, I’ve been enamored by the boundless blue water and thick north woods of Michigan. The striking and stunning combination of wooded land and freshwater seascapes have a rich history that is often overshadowed by the coastal cities and towns of North America. I’ve travelled around the country and always miss the north woods when away. The Great Lakes region has always felt like a secret undiscovered jewel to me. This new collection of songs explores the last four centuries in the Great Lakes Basin. It covers topics such as the demise of the Arctic grayling, trapping and trading throughout the region, downtown Chicago, and Pontiac's Rebellion. The album digs deep into the history of the area; it celebrates it, and at times laments the historical stress within the region. I have spent the last three years digging into the history of the area, dreaming and conceiving a modern soundtrack to the past. I also spent some time at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing, sifting through their vast collection for inspiration. We recorded this album intermittently over an eighteen month period. Our dear friends Dan Rickabus (The Crane Wives) and Max Lockwood (May Erlewine, Big Dudee Roo) elegantly covered the rhythm section duties. We worked at La Luna Recording in Kalamazoo with the superlative Ian Gorman. Our brilliant friend, Seth Bernard, helped with production. Carl Saff in Chicago did a beautiful job mastering this collection of music. Alongside Earthwork Music, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology, and the Archives of Michigan, we have a rich team of partners who believe in the cultural preservation and protection of the Great Lakes. We feel that this project offers a unique artistic stamp on the region’s history and timeless significance. We are also excited about the potential of this project to reach and inspire a new demographic of lovers and protectors of the Great Lakes. With Love and Gratitude, Brandon & Bethany Foote --- Produced by Brandon John Foote & Seth Bernard Recorded at La Luna Recording in Kalamazoo, Michigan Engineered by Ian Gorman Mixed by Ian Gorman & Brandon John Foote Mastered by Saff Mastering in Chicago, Illinois Voice sample and Great Lakes map: Courtesy Archives of Michigan Brandon John Foote - vocals, electric guitars Bethany Foote - vocals, Wurlitzer electric piano, string synth Max Lockwood – bass guitar Dan Rickabus – drums, percussion Seth Bernard - acoustic, electric & baritone guitars