Look Out World

 First and foremost, welcome and thanks for reading the About page for "Look Out World". Here, I wanted to share with you some of the process that went into recording this music, as well as a lot of the people I have to thank for it turning out the way it has.

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01. All I Need And More (6:02)
02. Lucky Penny (4:44)
03. Building A City (5:35)
04. Mercy Mile (4:21)
05. Planting The Seeds (4:06)
06. Many Ways To Break A Heart (4:38)
07. New Years For Everybody Else (5:47)
08. Until Such Time As The Morning Comes For Me (4:19)
09. A Mouse Dreams Of Becoming A Tree. A Tree Dreams Of Becoming A Bird. (3:59)
10. Look Out World (5:40) 

 + Godin Art & Lutherie Ami parlor size nylon string acoustic electric guitar
 + Takamine Jasmine S33 dreadnought steel string acoustic guitar
 + Fender Squier Standard Telecaster solid body electric guitar (Indonesia)
 + Fender Squier Affinity P-Bass solid body 4 string bass guitar (China)
 + Casio CT-X700 PPK Premium 61 key touch sensitive keyboard
 + M-Audio SP 2 universal sustain pedal
 + Rhythm Band Headless Tambourine 7 in.
 + Hohner Special 20 harmonica Eb
 + Peavey backstage guitar amplifier 26 watts
 + Apple MacBook Pro 2011 Model A1278
 + Reaper Digital Audio Workstation for macOS
 + Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 usb audio interface
 + Switchcraft 1/4" guitar cable
 + Alcatel XLR microphone cable
 + Rode NT-1 condenser mic
 + KOSS sound isolating headphones
 + Samson HP30 stereo headphones 

 01. All I Need And More
 // lyrics // April 19, 2018 (song #218)

Written about someone I met in New York with whom, for several reasons, I could not spend as much time as I would have liked. It was an exercise in surrender, in trusting my higher power, in prioritizing someone else's health over my own desires. Included on the album because Julie Christensen, of Leonard Cohen fame, was a fan of this one.

02. Lucky Penny
 // lyrics // January 1, 2020 (song #311)

Written based on the Week 1, 2020, theme from the international songwriting group challenge Song A Week. Included on the album because my good friend and fellow songwriter Kent Aitken expressed his admiration for it.

03. Building A City
 // lyrics // February 22, 2018 (song #208)

Written in a burst of unexpected inspiration, frankly almost an intellectual blackout with emotional access, from my studio apartment in Central Harlem on a Thursday night. Included on the album because the mercurial New-York-turned-Nashville songwriter Francesco Saxton (Peace Police) noted his appreciation of this one.

04. Mercy Mile
 // lyrics // January 9, 2021 (song #429)

Written based on the Week 2, 2021, theme from the international songwriting group challenge Song A Week. The song chronicles the emotional trials from my first intimate relationship in sobriety (five years into recovery), and is included on the album because my lifelong friend Jerry Frohlich -- who knows my music better than anyone else -- heard something in this one which he didn't recall ever hearing in any others of mine.

05. Planting The Seeds
 // lyrics // February 5, 2021 (song #435)

Written based on the Week 5, 2021, theme from the international songwriting group challenge Song A Week. The inspiration for this one is largely drawn from my good friend and former drummer, Tad Unold, and my memories of visiting his family's farm in Wisconsin. Included on the album because one among my favorite songwriters, George Murtie, said he heard something special in the lyrics and music.

06. Many Ways To Break A Heart
 // lyrics // August 11, 2017 (song #178)

Written out of authentic love for storytelling, built around a fictitious scenario in order to bring to life the song title itself. Included on the album because this is ultimately the song which sparked my departure from New York and beginning to build a life in Nashville. While in Los Angeles for my friend and former drummer Andy Franzen's wedding, Sojung Kwun graciously let me sing at her Document Coffee Bar. This was among the songs performed that evening, and Andy's authentic reaction was that my writing had untapped potential in this specific vein.

07. New Years For Everybody Else
 // lyrics // May 27, 2020 (song #280)

Written based on the title I'd been sitting on for months, and with at-the-time better than usual patience for quality of lyrics. I have yet to witness anyone else experiencing the same gut reaction I have to the track, but it hits me the same every time: an accurate representation of the emotion I feel and need to capture and share. Included on this album because my job as a writer includes doing everything I can to reach the people with which each track may resonate.

08. Until Such Time As The Morning Comes For Me
 // lyrics // April 27, 2017 (song #163)

Written with an experimental and whimsical sense of exploration, and no intention of the finished song being worthwhile or memorable. Included on this album because it scratches an itch no other lyrics of mine entirely touch. And because it feels like an unintentional but perfect book end to the track Building A City.

09. A Mouse Dreams Of Becoming A Tree. A Tree Dreams Of Becoming A Bird.
 // lyrics // March 5, 2019 (song #267)

Written soon after arriving in Nashville, a meditation on the human condition and desire to escape the present moment and be someone or somewhere else. First sent to Brad Brooks, whose encouragement confirmed there was something special about this one worth nurturing and spending more time with. Included on this album because it feels "at home" in the context of the rest of the track list and fittingly expressive of the record's emotional world.

10. Look Out World
 // lyrics // December 19, 2020 (song #426)

Written based on the Week 52, 2020, theme from the international songwriting group challenge Song A Week. Fairly certain this one would not exist without my surrogate older brother, Texas Dave, who expressed how much a different song of mine (One Of A Kind) moved him. Thinking back to December of 2020, I was drawing from the same emotional well in writing this one -- in fact, likely reaching for an opportunity to rewrite the sentiments from a new perspective. Included on the album because a songwriter I admire greatly, Niki Shepherd in Australia, once expressed her appreciation of this one. If you know her music, you won't be surprised at all that I'm attentive to her perspective.

All songs written and arranged by James Tristan Redding. All tracks performed, recorded, and mixed by James Tristan Redding, and mastered by the inimitable Trevor Sadler. 

My father for unending love and support from the beginning, and my 2011 MacBook.

My stepmother for patience, Culver's, and lyrical feedback on Lucky Penny.

Brad Brooks for being the only man in Tennessee I want as a spiritual mentor.

Doug McCracken for support, camaraderie, humor, leadership, and inspiration.

Josh Eaves for stimulating conversation, mental and emotional challenge, and optimism.

David Palaia for life changing EMDR sessions and showing me how to trust.

Tracy Wiese for pragmatic, scalable direction on best selves from office to stage.

Greg Spurlock for gravity, levity, and brevity when it most counts.

Fred Perreten and James Simon for giving me guidance when I needed it most.

Kelly Tierney for saving my life, and teaching me how to strategize.

John Springer, Kelly Torrance, and Paige Brewster-Kelly for unforgettable road trips.

Chris Hornsby, Jay Anliker, Dion Kroslack, Chase Fox, Paula Chambers, George Corrieri, Dillon Vanrennes, Daniel Robinson, Jesus Ramirez, and Ashley Newman for showing me how to trust the process.

Ray Newman, Ken Engel, and Jeremiah Toney for good friendship and gospel music.

Daniel Harvey, David Schaffer, Ryan Rutherford, Hugh Trimble, Magnolia Gramling, and Stephanie Gifford for going to any lengths.

Joey Buchholz for your artistic insight and unwavering friendship.

Debbie Martin for my apartment, where I recorded this album, and for her genuine care.

Anna Claire for teaching me about miracles.

Jerry, Theresa, and Dallas Frohlich for always believing in me.

Eli Alger for invading Nashville right when we needed you most.

Andrew Jandt of Trap Kit for endless energy and leading by example.

Eric Vetter and The Summer Replacements for keeping New York ever in my heart.

Tamora Wilson for fixing my back and teaching me yoga.

Bart Pursley for timeless insight, dry humor, and deep friendship.

Stephen Bryant for a balance of eternal curiosity and genuine generosity.

Dan Rivers for showing me how to write better songs, and slower.

Mark Narmore, Kent Blazy, Elliott Park, and Steve Dean for giving me a hand up.

Chris Gantry for giving me mind altering drugs in the form of words.

Pete & Pat Luboff for being my Tennessee family and making me feel worthy.

Texas Dave for friendship, gigs, open mics, co-writing, and a winter in Mexico.

Jason Arcaro for sharpening my eyes and ears, hanging my coat, and charging my battery.

Craig Sciglimpaglia for iced cream, laughter, wifi, burgers, memories, and hope.

Thomas Ciganko for pizza, puns, and that punk rock vibe.

Crísthopper Armenta for lyrical challenges, rhythmic pioneering, and bilingual humor.

Abi Strong, Andrew Dong, Colleen Elizabeth McTigue, Crísthopper Armenta (again!), George Murtie, Hector Andres Perez Villatoro, J. Oscar Bittinger, Katy Hansz, Rieko Takamiya, Shane Stillings, and Stephenie Bailey for bringing one four chord song to life in color and shape with heartbreaking vibrance and optimism.

Benjamin Daly for help drawing a spiritual map on our walking tours of Brooklyn.

Rob Repass for long drives, long walks, high climbs, and clear lungs.

Dan Bercu for bailing me out of another tricky situation and giving of yourself.

Bill Miller for bailing me out of a tricky situation and saving me a seat.

Trevor Sadler for bringing this record to life like no one else possibly could.

Allen Russell for deep, honest, fearless audio mixing and stylistic feedback.

Nick Bromley, Jed Hanson, Tim Ungrodt, and Marty Morgan for workshopping, woodshedding, bobsledding, bobcatting, catdogging, and Bobcat Goldthwait.

Ann Tiley, Tim Jones, Rob Stanley, John Allingham, Dave Criner, Patricia Gunter, Vince Quinn, and Bill Flowerree for handing down the tradition to those willing to inherit it.

George Murtie (again!), Eric Radoux, Jonathan Williams, Kyle Hamlett, Francesco Saxton, Zach Tittel, Patrick Orr, Kate Richi, Logan Bragg, Jonathan Henley, Alec Lang, Joe Wunderle, Jane Frazier, Sunflower, Steve Anderson, Terry Cantrell, Paula Ropp, and Deb Guy for curating a safe space to create.

Everyone in the Song A Week group for their courage and creativity.

Ava Barton and Poppy for belly laughs and grins from ear to ear.

Teresa Toral for letting our inner children play in the dirt together.

My Alaskan Family, Ed and Cheryl and Evan and Mimi and Sugar and Honey.

Jesus Ramirez, Ricardo Gonzalez, Mike Frappier, Renee Lorenzo, Daniel Robinson, Michael T. Grace, Jose Luevano, Cole Samples, James Sutton, Jason Kirby, and Gary Sipes for letters, pictures, stories, jokes, and most of all, candor.

Chino Moreno, Abe Cunningham, Frank Delgado, Stephen Carpenter, Terry Date, Rodleen Getsic, Bob Ezrin, and Annie Hardy for molding my musical mind. And to the spirit of Chi Cheng for occupying my body multiple times.

Bob Schneider, Chris O’Connor, Adam Cohen, Chris Root, Rod MacDonald, Roger Clyne, Grant Lee Phillips, Stelve Poltz, Kyle Cook, Tom Rush, Peter Mulvey and John Sieger for verbal back stage passes.

Mark Cuban, Tony Fadell, and Derek Sivers for turning my mental magnet into an electromagnet.

Jenna Berman for a window into the world of a poet who doesn't take prisoners.

Gillian Jacobs for a subtle benchmark and a mirror to motivation.

David Slenk and Anyeshka Pavlik for your brilliant forward thinking.

Rich Jones for my Casio CT-X700 synthesizer.

Bill Nickerson for my Takamine Jasmine S33.

Nate Corning of Mark's Guitar Shop in Spokane, Washington, for my Art & Lutherie Ami.

Taylor Matthew Thompson for my Fender Squier Standard Telecaster.

Wes Gates for my Fender Squier Affinity P-Bass.

Michael Collingsworth for my Peavey guitar amplifier.

Tom McInerny for my KOSS sound isolating headphones.

Pastor Wayne Miller for my Rode NT-1 condenser mic.

Musicians Friend for my wooden tambourine.