The Mascot Theory - Dawn and What Comes After (2018)

The seemingly infinite winter chill of early 2018 provided the ideal catalyst to hunker down with a newborn set of lyrics and melodies and begin the process of creating what would become the foundation for Dawn and What Comes After, the fifth studio album from Madison, Wisconsin folk rock band The Mascot Theory. Paradyme Productions in Madison, WI was the de facto "cabin in the woods" as the studio of choice to grow and document these new seedling songs, and owner Jake Johnson became the trusted gardener/studio engineer. Long time The Mascot Theory members Erik Kjelland, Nick Fry, and Paul Metz were joined by decorated singer/songwriter Corey Mathew Hart (of Lost Lakes) to provide the electric guitar and harmonies for the album and future live shows.

With previous albums the band used their live shows to flesh out arrangements for most of their new songs prior to hitting the studio. Dawn and What Comes After represents a slight departure from this method, as the band entered the studio environment with bare song arrangements, allowing freedom to explore new paths and styles without preconceived live performance constraints. Alternate musicians and instrumentation were brought in to expand the sonic landscape of the tunes, including singer/songwriter Kari Arnett as a guest vocalist, Kenny Leiser (Wheelhouse) on fiddle, Brady Bachmann on cello, Shawndell Marks(Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets) on keys and organ, Sam Wilson (Sons of Bill) on pedal steel, Jeremy Henning (The Lower 5th) on trombone and horn arrangements, Al Falaschi (Phat Phunktion) on saxophone, and Jimmy Doherty (Phat Phunktion) on trumpet. Madison hip-hop artist Rob Dz laid down a smooth verse on the song The Monster. Kjelland teamed up with long-time visual collaborator Vince Padilla to create the concept for the album cover.

Lyrically, Dawn and What Comes After paints a broad picture of longing for something just out of reach, both future aspirations yet to be achieved and past accomplishments that have gone unnoticed and under celebrated. There is a sense of moving on with a cautionary flare to proceed at a slightly slower pace, to remember the ups and downs of the past, and to cherish every ghost along the way that shaped the path of the road traveled.

Tracklist:
01. The Mascot Theory - Awakened
02. The Mascot Theory - The Monster
03. The Mascot Theory - Hold on to Me
04. The Mascot Theory - Every Chamber
05. The Mascot Theory - IV
06. The Mascot Theory - Sky Upon Sky Upon Sky
07. The Mascot Theory - I'm No Good
08. The Mascot Theory - Black T-Shirts
09. The Mascot Theory - Coffee for Two
10. The Mascot Theory - Ashes to Bloom
11. The Mascot Theory - Unstick the Words