Statement of Gratitude

Not a single person who has come through my life isn’t, in some way, responsible for this album coming to fruition. Whether I was led gently into the arms of the music I love by your positive encouragement, or I was pushed, panicked, toward this album as an escapist fantasy project by your frankly terrible energy, if you and I have crossed paths, I owe you at least some gratitude.

That said, there are definitely some standouts. Huge, huge thanks to my parents, for the way they gifted music to us genetically — and environmentally on a daily basis. To my brother — simply for existing and being 100% himself, because he is my favorite human being in this and all universes — but also for his encouragement and wisdom.

And to Ira and Millie, because they are dogs, and they are perfect.

Thank you to Bill Bixler, my high school music teacher, who still continues to be a calming and supportive presence to this day. To Mr. Rav, my elementary school music teacher, who refused to let me quit during my first bout of imposter syndrome. To Cathy Segal-Garcia and Todd Hunter, both of whom are responsible in massive ways for helping me to restart my singing after going dormant for so many years. To Madeline Eastman and Kathleen Grace and Kate McGarry who gave me invaluable bits of wisdom that I still use every day.

Thank you to Andy Langham for his transcription of I’m Still Here. Thank you to Catina DeLuna for her help with my pronunciation, and for her moral support — on this project and everywhere else in my singing life.

Thanks to Harriet Tam, who is an actual wizard when it comes to audio engineering, and has the awards to prove it, and besides that has an exquisite sense of humor.

To Craig Cochrane for his gorgeous pictures, his fantastic attitude and his seemingly endless positivity. And to Mayita Dinos for the use of her beautiful garden and her overall warmth.

To Jami Templeton and Jeffrey Gimble for their respective brands of moral support and friendship. To all the singers I know in LA, who are some of the most supportive, generous people you could ever hope to meet.

To Dave Endicott and Brian McGrane, who know what they did, and even to Feldman, who would have shown genuine interest in this album but would have, honestly, not enjoyed the music. To Albie (cool enough to go by a first name only), for inviting me to that jam session. To Sigrid, who would make a powerful yet terrifying manager if she chose to accept the position.

To the musicians on this album — Larry, Otmaro, Jacob, Darek, Edwin, Jonathan, Aarón, Jackson — I still can’t believe you all said yes to this project. Thank you for your ears and your talents and your openness. I felt (I feel) so supported by all of you, free to fail, and I think we ended up doing the opposite, which, you know, is pretty great. Being able to say your names when I’m asked “Hey, who’s on your record?” makes me feel like I got away with something major.

And then there are two people without whom this album would never have happened — not right now, and maybe not ever.

The first is my uncle Clint, who I spent my whole childhood worshipping and who was one of the most brilliant, creative and musical people I have ever known.

The second is Aarón Serfaty. Aarón is my partner and my favorite drummer and, it turns out, a hell of a music producer. He pulled performances out of me that I didn’t know were in there. He convinced amazing people to do the record. He made it okay for me to screw up. I wouldn’t have made this album without him, and I couldn’t have made this album without him.

Finally, thank you to all of you who have listened, are listening or will listen. I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I did.

Liz