Stories Behind the Songs

  • The Story Behind “August Spies” by Zane Tate

    This song’s title is of course a play on words, and carries a double meaning. The first – august spies – will be, to some, the most direct and obvious interpretation: august as an adjective meaning venerable or respected, and spies, the plural of spy. And this is a darkly fun interpretation that inspires…

  • The Story Behind “The Man Called Thursday” by Zane Tate

    Zane Tate tells the story behind his song “The Man Called Thursday.”

  • Motown Pride – Spirit Run featuring J’Nelle (produced by Zane Tate)

    Spirit Run feat. J’Nelle by Motown Pride Back when I was working on my first album, I was also producing the occasional Hip Hop song for artist friends of mine. You’d have a hard time tracking those down now, but this is one you can still find. And it’s one of my favorites. It’s…

  • The Story Behind “Hearts & Minds”

    Some songs you write in a day – inspiration hits, and you don’t leave the studio until it’s done.  But others take time, sometimes months.  “Hearts & Minds” falls into the latter category.  In fact I took longer to write and record that song than any other on the album. I wrote it when…

  • The Story Behind “Harbor View”

    “Harbor View” is my favorite track off Rural Sounds, and based on digital sales, I think it’s the most popular. When I wrote the song I just wanted to capture a feeling – one of escapism and relaxation.  If you’re like me, you’re always on the grind, and it’s rare that you get any…

  • The Story Behind “The Funeral”

    I wrote “The Funeral” on the day of a funeral for someone who was very close to me.  At the time, I was struggling with the question of, “should death be a time to celebrate that person’s life, or a time to mourn your own loss?”  And that conflict is at the heart of…

  • The Story Behind “Star Slide (Green Cigar Remix)”

    Green Cigar is David Healy, a very talented music producer from the UK.  David cofounded and helped run a digital label called Working Beats.  Sometime in early 2005, he came across some of my demo tracks online, and got in touch with me about a distribution deal.  I released three songs through Working Beats. …