Working out of a moveable home studio ("when we finish a record, we tear it all out and move elsewhere," Justin Faircloth says) to craft their new album The Archer, North Carolina's Houston Brothers, which comprise the aforementioned Faircloth and his brother Matt Faircloth, focused their latest set on a theme of travel.

"The theme is travel that results in change - and moving to move, I guess," Justin Faircloth explains, "to avoid stagnancy - to get out and to return, and see what happens, both physically and just within my own head This has happened for me over and over, and for most people. Plus we love to travel, to tour and play to strikingly different ears, to see radical, unfamiliar sensibilities."

Luckily, producer Mitch Easter (R.E.M./Suzanne Vega/Wilco) shared the brotherly duo's sensibilities as far as musical production was concerned; the legendary man behind the boards not only helmed (album name) with great attention to detail, but also contributed a chill, comfortable feel to the sessions.
 
"Working with Mitch was great," Matt Faircloth enthuses, "we dug his whole aesthetic. He has a very DIY vibe - he's just chilling out in the country next to this big hay field, with all this great gear. He really cares about his work, which is very inspiring."

"Mitch is the first outside producer we've ever worked with," Justin Faircloth continues, "and it's amazing to relinquish control. We rode the wave of his very unique vision, and it was wonderful. He is articulate and intuitive, and has this wonderful quality that is an introspective shyness, this tender air about him, that made me very comfortable."

This particular incarnation of the band's home studio was another element of recording reassurance, with its old-school surroundings and warm acoustics.

"The wood floors and high ceilings made for good sounds," Matt Faircloth says. His brother agrees.

"Yeah - the plaster walls and deep, expansive wood floors sound great," Justin says, "and there are French doors that open up to a larger room, within which an old Baldwin spinet piano resides. The piano has traveled with us for years; I've written many songs on that piano, and it could tell some tales."

The internet, as everyone knows, is fond of telling tales, too - some of those tales being correct, and some being... well, we'll just politely say "misguided."  For instance, when you try to look up The Houston Brothers on Wikipedia, you instead get... bubblegum pop trio of brothers Hanson.  Perhaps it's time for a little retribution.

"You do?" Matt Faircloth says incredulously, "Hanson? Hmm. We take our Wiki place very seriously. We need to file an inquiry into this immediately. I do remember those guys though - they were famous for that great "Mmm Bop" song."

"Well, they are very handsome, and there are three of them, right?" Justin Faircloth muses, "still, we could take them down properly - I'd have 'em chew on Matt's socks."