An Oven
For Sarah Schultz and Steven James Aguilar
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Steve told me I was an oven last year and it changed my life. I had just left a job that nearly broke me. I hadn’t finished a song in years, and didn’t know if I would again, but then Steve told me I was an oven. To paraphrase his delicate explanation - ovens (songwriters) bake (write) bread (songs), and no matter how infrequently an oven is used for bread baking, it’s still an oven.
That moment was a catalyst for what has been over a year of practicing mindfulness, writing without editing right away (even when it feels like it might be a bad idea), dealing with depression and anxiety instead of running from it, and doing more of what makes me feel good, and less of what doesn’t.
So much work and love went into the songs on this record, and thinking about the emotional and physical investment that Steve put into helping me realize this project makes me cry.
To further convolute the metaphor, somebody has to power an oven in order for it to function, and for that I need to acknowledge those who have given me endless positive energy in the last few years, namely Sarah. In the last decade she has supported me through various stages as an IT guy, coffee professional, and most importantly, an oven (songwriter). I’m still trying to figure out a way to credit her on this album, but her working title is currently “tastemaker, chief supervisor of wellbeing, track 9 vocals”.
This album would not exist in any form without Sarah and Steve, and for that I am eternally grateful. I love you both.
