That Spirit of '98 sound

Ever wonder where that signature Spirit of '98 sound comes from? That's OK, I'll tell you anyway. Here's a look at some of the instruments and devices that brought the album to life, along with store locations and pricing info, just in case you want to recreate the magic yourself at home.

Tascam 488 cassette 8-track. The Rolls-Royce of cassette multitrack recorders. Purchased on ebay, broken of course. $200, plus probably another $200 in repairs courtesy of the clueless repair guy in Portland. But she purrs like a kitten now.


1970 Stella guitar by Harmony. Purchased at Re-Run Vintage in Portland. $25


Stylophone synthesizer toy. Purchased by Daniel Dominic Mancini, probably at Urban Outfitters. $20


Hackatone Model 4 custom tube amp made out of an old radio. Purchased at Really Good Stuff, Portland. $100


Miniature grand piano. Purchased at an estate sale in Portland. $2


Fisher Price children's cassette recorder. Gift from Matt Stefanik. Free!

The reviews are in!

Just one of several writers to weigh in with positive thoughts on Spirit of '98

It's been just about a month since Spirit of '98 dropped and the response has been incredible. I can't even begin to thank you all individually. All I can say is this album was a very personal project for me, and the warm reception really means a lot. I think the best part has been hearing from people who are finding their own memories in these songs. This album is certainly about a very specific period in time - the college years - and it's been great connecting with folks who had experiences similar to mine.

That includes a handful of writers kind enough to review the album. The writeups have been great, both locally and internationally, and I'm excited to share them with you on a new page we're calling REVIEWS. Check it out, and thanks again for all the support!

In other news, Seattle, we're coming to you March 4. See you at the Skylark for a special performance with The Beautiful Sunsets.