Lucius Second Nature
The end of 2019 was dangling off the coattails of private jets, arena tours, champagne, blonde bobs and a crumbling marriage. Normally front women, we found ourselves taking a break from the band to be part of someone else's machine, to gain some perspective and inspiration; We toured the world with Roger Waters' for 3 years, and our vocals were sought out by artists ranging from Harry Styles, John Legend, and Ozzy Osbourne to War on Drugs and Brandi Carlile (who would become a huge part of our lives, onstage and off). Coming home from these experiences was never going to be easy, but a lockdown during a pandemic at the precipice of divorce gave new meaning to facing the music. Second Nature is a journey through the stages of grief, and the moments of joy that push their way through. It's a record that begs you not to sit in the difficult moments, but to dance through them. Produced by Dave Cobb and Brandi Carlile, the album was recorded in Nashville at RCA's Studio A, the same room songs like "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" were brought to life. The grounds for a dramatic, vulnerable record making experience were there, but there was also an acceptance and peace in the band, who would be coming together for the first time in over a year, to create something positive. Cobb knew just how to steer a ship with a lot of creative cooks, and Brandi was the vocal producer we had always dreamed of. One who could be trusted when she said "you got the take", and one who understood vocal dynamics and when to push further. The room, the circumstances, and the energy of everyone involved brought magic.