DB- Within this train of events when did you learn that Reid was going to return to school?

JT- That didn’t come until this summer, early summer, May. So there were any number of internal changes going on from the time when we heard from Mammoth, including some management and personnel changes within the organization. It was kind of an avalanche of bad things that happened at once. I think that was Reid assessed the situation and said, “I like doing this and everything but its time to switch paths and try something different.”

DB- Had he made it clear in the past that this was a possibility?

JT- He had. We may have been surprised at the timing but we weren’t really surprised overall because I think it came up every year as a topic of conversation. He was really open about his feelings all along.

DB- How often do you communicate with him nowadays?

JT- Here and there. I figure he’s made such a drastic change with his life and I know its been hard on him. So I kind of just let him do his thing, rediscover his path and not confuse things too much. I knew Reid didn’t leave the band to ruin the band, he just did it because it was something he needed to do. So I just look at it from a functional point of view. I love to play music and the rest of us love to play music so we’re just carrying on the musical torch. It’s strange in ways but in other ways it just feels great to play.

DB- Did you feel much additional pressure at your Eden festival, knowing that this would be his final official gig with the group?

JT- By the time Eden rolled around it was such a release because he had been talking about it for four months and we knew it was coming. When we told the fans there was another wave of realization, so I think that by the time it happened I miraculously didn’t feel that much pressure. I think we all had a really good time. It was one of my smoothest Eden experiences in many ways. I felt good about the music and it was fun having Nile up there because it was an added attraction and bonus. I think we all enjoyed that so it wasn’t awkward. It was sad but I think as a band we had all talked about it and absorbed it all ahead of time.

DB- At what point did you start thinking about the next incarnation of the band?

JT- I couldn’t even come close to it before the Eden show. Conceptually the band had decided that we were going to do something but we just didn’t think about it until afterwards.

DB- Describe the audition process.

JT- That was when it hit home. It was a grueling process because it was something that we had never been through before as a band or as individuals. The good thing about it was we actually found Luke and Scott. There were also a few other people in there that made it clear to the three of us that there was still a lot of fire and magic. That was when I realized that I still wanted to play, that making good music turns me on.

As it turned out too, Luke and Scott just happened to be back to back. Luke came in first. He was just great and immediately won us over. Scott came in right after that. He had lugged his B-3 down the block in New York City. The thing weighs like 250 pounds and he managed to pull it up with a dolly by himself. Playing with him was great too- his whole style and demeanor. We all realized at the same time that we wanted both of them.

DB- Had you entered the process thinking that you would add keys?

JT- I was open to anything. The most far-flung instrument that came in was the didgeridoo. We just wanted to hear some talented people and see where we could take it. But while I was open to anything I wouldn’t accept just anything. It was a real blessing that we found Luke and Scott because they had that intangible thing we were all looking for.

DB- Both Luke and Scot had opened for Strangefolk in the past. Had you interacted with them much in the past?

JT- Actually I had been in touch with Scott every year. He’d always write me. It was an annual thing like a Christmas Card- “Hey, if you guys ever need keys, I’m the guy that was playing in that band in Colorado that opened for you guys and liked what you did. Let me know if you need anything.” He happened to email me three days before the New York audition and I told him that his timing couldn’t be better if he could make it to New York City. I didn’t realize he was in Louisiana because it was an email. But sure enough he threw all his stuff in his truck, drove to New York and pulled it off.

I remember Luke playing with us as well. It was kind of amazing really that they both ended up coming to the audition and getting the gig because we had enjoyed both of their bands. I also like the fact that we had crossed paths before and shared the stage. It makes everything feel more connected.

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