THE IRON LATITUDES

I've had an idea to do a concept album about my brother Todd's life, death, and the aftermath for many years, but I finally got serious about it in the summer of 2020, and began writing lyrics on several hiking trips on the Superior Hiking Trail. I wrote and reworking those lyrics throughout the fall of 2020, and started putting music to them in 2021. I created demos for all of the songs in my home studio by the fall of 2021. In 2022, I found Will Bartz via a Craigslist post, and from January 2022 - July 2023, we've been working on getting the album recorded in Will's home studio.

Jenny came up with most of the melodies. Some songs started with her melodies, and some with my chords. We're still pretty green at this, and the songs have changed a lot over time. We start with a kernel of an idea, and just kept working on a song until we were happy with it.

Our original concept was a 'musical for two voices,' in two acts, where we'd play multiple roles. I'm not sure that we've achieved this, but that's where we started. I still like the idea.

The story as told in this album is loosely based on my brother's life. Some elements have been changed, and much has been left out. "Based on True Events," you might say.

After the songs were written, I realized that I had put a lot of myself into the role of my brother, and had drawn from personal experiences in imagining what he might have gone through.

Still, much is conjecture and storytelling. I could not have told his story any other way. But we have tried our best.

This album is dedicated to Todd Korell, his wife, mother, brothers, step-daughter, and all who knew and loved him.

20% of the proceeds from all CD sales and streaming services will be donated to suicide prevention programs.