The mountainous drive to Becket this past weekend presented one obstacle which coincidently fortified my wavering belief in fate. On one of the many steep back roads of Western Massachusetts, a pipe connecting the catalytic converter to the engine of my car disconnected causing a quite noticeable change in the sedan’s volume. This portion of my car’s exhaust had rusted clean through – a general wear of salt and time which could not have been prevented. I immediately thought, “the kids’ll sure dig me now!” “But older folks will know there’s something wrong,” as I am quite convinced a repair is necessary. We made it up the mountain a few more miles, parked, and called my sister who is a licensed auto mechanic. She said, “if what you’re telling me is, in fact, what’s wrong, you shouldn’t have any difference in performance beside the volume.” So my car had merely liberated itself from state mandated emission control, and was now free at last to sing. You have to laugh sometimes, at the way the world goes on talking and telling you things.
To avoid a room full of socially awkward kitties, all foolishly navigating themselves and going off into dark corners, the three of us have managed to keep a secret long enough to think things through. Due to changes in focus and responsibility, Zack has decided to relinquish his role as bass player for “The Accident That Led Me To The World.”
(pause for reflection)
The shows posted on our site will be the final shows with Zack Ciras. While changing hands at this stage is awkward, the news is altogether bittersweet. TATLMTTW has, coincidently, taken on the booking assistance of one Clara Rose Thornton (InkBlot Complex) and a tour of the western United States is being scheduled for the fall (October-December 2010). Furthermore, tracks for our new record have been recorded, which means that Zack will be there on the third album. Doesn’t that make you feel better? Please be responsible with this information, do not start rumors, and go back in the reading if necessary. TATLMTTW is not breaking up – a link has merely rusted through, normal and natural.
During this brief period of adjustment, Raianne and I will be touring our new solo records, each slated for release in May. These albums can be found on Nobody’s Favorite Records and can of course be obtained at our performances. Any comments will be received if you reply to our monthly newsletter, or simply post to a social network (e.g. myspace, facebook).
Thank you for listening to TATLMTTW, tell your friends, and keep your eyes open for THE NEW ACCIDENT THAT LED ME TO THE WORLD this fall (no, we will not be changing the name or the acronym).
The Accident That Led Me To The World is an all-acoustic, non-percussive chamber folk trio from Massachusetts. The name was derived from a song that band member Mark Mandeville (guitar, banjo, vocals) wrote called "The Accident That Led Me To The World," which he then elaborated into the concept of an allegorical narrative involving a boy who sails away to an island to be alone. From this concept sprung an entire album's worth of songs, and Mandeville incorporated Raianne Richards (guitar, clarinet, vocals) and Zack Ciras (upright bass) to flesh out the material.
The result was the eponymous 2006 debut released on Nobody's Favorite Records, an angular, concise mixture of bluegrass picking, sea chantey sing-a-longs, and folk singer-songwriting. This release was followed by 2008's The Island Gospel, more expansive, more focused, and more lyrical than its predecessor, and which also travels a more country-driven direction. The Island Gospel also continues the allegorical narrative concept that was begun on the first album, and both albums feature artwork which illustrates the narrative.
