Ever since I was a child, I have been enamored by the boundless blue water and thick north woods of Michigan. The striking combination of wooded land and freshwater seascapes has a rich history that is often overshadowed by the coastal cities and towns of North America. I have traveled around the country and always miss the north woods when away. The Great Lakes region has always felt like a secret undiscovered jewel.
Recorded intermittently over an eighteen-month period, this collection of songs explores the last four centuries in the Great Lakes Basin. The album digs into the history of the area; it celebrates it, and at times laments the historical stress within the region.
"... gorgeous indie folk."
-MAGNET Magazine
"Their evocative music blends folk, pop, and Americana elements with a deep historical bent that is at times both hauntingly dark and wistfully poetic. The interplay between Brandon's warm, electric guitar and Bethany's Wurlitzer electric piano is as much a signature sound as are their delicate vocal harmonies."
-AllMusic
Released September 22, 2017
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, samples
Bethany Foote - vocals, Wurlitzer electric piano, string synth
Max Lockwood – bass guitar
Dan Rickabus – drums, percussion
Seth Bernard - acoustic, electric & baritone guitars
Special Thanks to: Ian Gorman, Seth Bernard, Max Lockwood, Dan Rickabus, Josh Michels, Brad Kik, Carl Saff, Devin Foote, Jamie Krapohl, Mark Harvey & Jessica Harden at the Archives of Michigan, Khalid Ibrahim, John Hanson, T-Rex Roth & Joyce Walker, Jason Whalen of Big Foot Media, The Foote Family, The Turner Family, Drew Howard, Bill Chesney, Alison Cole, Beth Keller, Rachel Gorman, Pat Hudson, Jason Lantrip, Ryan Freitas, Ty & Rose Forquer, D.L. Rossi, Alex Ruff, Steven Holmes & Marie Orttenburger at Mostly Midwest, Steve Olson for the Supro, Stumptown Printers, Earthwork Music, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology.
This album is dedicated to Simon Muir Foote.
Tracklist:
- Pontiac's Rebellion
- Two Hearts (Two Peninsulas)
- Fort Dearborn Massacre
- Trout of the Pines
- Canadian Shield
- Manitou Passage
- Grand Rapids Brakeman
- Green Gold
- Trapping or Trading
- Conquest of the Old Northwest (Fair Mitten)