Album Notes

From the summer of 1999 through 2002 I had the opportunity to work with The Scofflaws, where I first met Glenn, Tom, and Ben. Towards the end of this time we became very interested in writing for ourselves, deciding to form a new group focusing on freshness and creativity open to guests and collaborations - Royal Roost.

The songs on this debut were recorded within the relaxed confines of Strikkly Vikkly studio in Brooklyn with all the realness of a live performance.

The music was recorded in three sessions and includes songs written in the band's first weeks of developing music as well as songs written just before the session.

This is how the band really sounds in performance, with the intimacies of a relatively unedited analog tape in a small studio that's not quite large enough for the nine musicians on the record.

It was also, significantly, the first encounter between envelope-pushing producer Dave Hahn and the band.

My thanks to Dan, Glenn, Scott, Tom, Ben, and James. To have such remarkably talented musicians give themselves to your music is truly a blessing.

Thanks to Dave Hahn for his production expertise. His genuine involvement in this project was key to the sound of the recording.

Thanks to Victor "Ticklah" Axelrod for a great performance. There was not a lot of time for rehearsal.

Thanks to Victor Rice for his encouragement.

Thanks to Bucket and Jeremy for helping us realize this project.

Special thanks to Kevin Mcgarty for his enthusiasm and for mastering the record.

-- Matthew Voss, December 2004

Since the recording of this album the band has lost a main player in the band and has moved in a new musical direction, rocksteady...Because of this the band has changed it's name to "Downbeat Alley", this Royal Roost album is ONLY available as a digital download.