Originally I wanted to title my new record, "Under The Avalanche", but Brian made the point that it sounded a little too threatening. After more consideration I decided he was right, I certainly wouldn't want people to think I was trying to suffocate them to death with my music:) So "After The Avalanche" it became... to me it evokes the feeling of stillness, of that strange hushed quiet that comes with a big snowfall, or perhaps after the chaos of an avalanche. I have never analyzed music to pieces, rather let it tumble over me and leave me with it's emotional impressions.

I have never been more certain about a record as I am of this one. I let go of a lot of things to make it. I gave up the hefty reals of tape for Protools, and instead of my pilgrimage to San Francisco to work with TIm Bluhm(still one of my favorite people and musicians) I put the album into the capable hands of Kristy Kruger. Kristy is a dallas based singer/songwriter, whose accolades and praise you can hear across the country. She is an amazing multi-instrumentalist, and as we both discovered, quite by accident, an amazing producer. I guess I never before considered the audible difference having a female producer would make. Being a feminist myself, but not wanting to fall into the "Lilith Fair" catagory of "Folk music", the reality is there just aren't that many female producers out there. I have never really considered myself a folk musician either. I find folk music and folk musicians, to be strangely elitist and unfriendly.. they enlist the help of their local public radio stations in a way similar to the mormons and all of the salt lake city media outlets... hmm.. I think this is a topic for another blog:) Where was I going with this? Oh right, Kristy, like me, doesn't really fit in to any category, but I liked her term best, Ameritronica, an interesting combination of americana music and electronica, heavy ambience, like the low rumbles of the Twin Peaks theme, and banjo and pedal steal licks that offset the eeriness with hooky twang. I can't wait to share it.

Part of what I'm doing for this record to raise the funds to make it is asking fans for contributions, you can donate money through PayPal using the e-mail address sidflips@comcast.net, please make a note this is for the new Lux Land album. You can also send a check to Sid Flips Music publishing at po box 120114, Grand Rapids, MI 49528.. again make note this is for the new Lux Land album. Aside from just giving money, I am very excited to announce that I am booking "Pass the Hat" home concerts to fundraise as well. I already have some booked and I can't wait to fill up my calendar more. If you would like to host one, simply write me at any of the following websites" myspace.com/luxland, Facebook, or our management can steer you right if you write them at spoiledbratmanagement@hotmail.com.

All fans and friends who contribute will receive advance copies of the record and a special thanks inside. Without you independent music would not survive. We continue to have to find creative ways to get music into the hands of those who are tired of being spoon fed what is on the radio. You are greatly appreciated, by all of us out there taking the road less travelled.

Please check back to my website for upcoming show dates, there are a few. Also to check out Kristy's music go to Kristykruger.com.