When I started the second Hylozoists record in 2004 my goal was to make it an album we could perform live and put together a real band. The first record I was so proud of but not a practical affair! It was great because I didn't think of it that way but after playing in the Sadies for years my focus was performing this music live and bringing it to people in person. It also helped forge some of my most meaningful relationships that I would have musically, Jason Tait, a drummer looking to vibraphone more, was such a great motivator and made this music come to life in a way it hadn't before. Patrick Conan also had bought a vibraphone and having a three man mallet show it was coming to life but also meant there were extra drummers around and how we would find ourselves settling into the two drummer formula. While a real headache for trying to open for people and tour ourselves it was another magical part of this set up. 

With that core in place the next huge relationship took place which was with Cuff the Duke as Paul Lowman, Wayne Petti and Matt Ferris. Paul was the greatest bass player I could have ever asked for and loved playing the music and was so gracious of playing the parts I had written and then brought his own great playing to the band. Cuff and the Hylos would tour together allowing me to tour the band in a way I could have never done without them. Without them I am not sure how much the Hylozoists could have done, forever grateful. 

With Jeremy Strachan, Julie Penner, Dale Murray and Nathan Lawr rounding things off we were able to record the album and play shows right away that was never possible in the earlier years. 

The older you get and the different paths you take make you understand how incredible parts of your life are and this period was one I am eternally grateful for. My brother often says his version of grace when we sit down to eat as a family and it's, "Aren't we lucky." and it's so true how lucky I am. 

Paul Aucoin, November 2024