Since Phosphorescent's album Muchacho dropped in 2013, singer/songwriter Matthew Houck got married to his now-bandmate Jo Schornikow, had two kids, and moved out of New York City. He renovated a home studio in Nashville, his new town; this year, he put the space to good use while making his seventh studio album as Phosphorescent. This season, the band are touring behind the album, and ahead of the band's Dec. 1 show at First Avenue, they stopped by to perform a few stripped-down songs from C'est La Vie.

Despite the mellow music, Phosphorescent treated their recording process with diligence. They soundchecked a number of variations on "New Birth In New England" and "There From Here." Only the last song, "C'est La Vie No.2," came out with no difficulty — which, according to Houck, also happened when he wrote the album.

Between songs, Houck talked with Mac Wilson about Stephen King, long songs on short albums, and the merging of his music and personal life. To hear the full session, use the audio player above.

More Video

Band Members

Matthew Houck - vocals/guitar
Jo Schornikow - organ
David Torch - percussion

Songs Performed

"New Birth In New England"
"There From Here"
"C'est La Vie No.2"

"New Birth in New England," "There From Here," and "C'est La Vie No.2" are off Phosphorescent's 2018 album C'est La Vie, available via Dead Oceans.

Hosted by Mac Wilson
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark
Visuals by Nate Ryan
Web feature by Cecilia Johnson

External Links

Phosphorescent - official site
Phosphorescent - Facebook
Phosphorescent - Twitter

Gallery

Fullscreen SlidePrevious Slide

8 of 8

1 of 8

2 of 8

Next Slide