Umphrey’s McGee has released a new studio album, Asking For A Friend, along with the band’s first NFT offering and a behind-the-scenes podcast detailing the recording process.
Recorded over the course of three sessions at three different studios during the pandemic, Asking For A Friend represents a new approach for Umphrey’s McGee. With less pressure to finish the album quickly due to the industry-wide pause caused by the pandemic, the band was able to spend more time perfecting each track.
“[Having] all this time with the pandemic, we were able to go back and just literally take years on these songs and find all the little holes and things that we needed to create something else and fill those spaces with melodies that would stick. And so I’m just incredibly proud of everything we produced here,” keyboardist Joel Cummins recently told Live For Live Music. “[There] was just no rush for us to put it out. We didn’t know really when we were going to be touring full time again. … There’s usually kind of the ambiguous push to get things done. And with this, it was just a little more laid back and we were able to take our time and enjoy letting these songs kind of rest and then going and revisiting them. So I think that really helped the songs in the end.”
Joel added that the album displays a strong focus on vocal melodies. He also addressed why the band has refrained from playing the new compositions live until fans have had a chance to hear the studio versions: “We put our heart and soul into these for so long, and to us, these are like the essential versions of the songs. These are what get at the root of what these songs are all about. So why not let people hear ’em this way first and then bring them into the live experience.”
To celebrate the album release, Umphrey’s McGee is offering 2,022 affordable, entry level NFTs that come with benefits including audio stems from the album, giving fans the ability to isolate and remix individual instruments and tracks, limited edition art, and randomly distributed one-of-a-kind Easter eggs, including copies of the vinyl test pressing, handwritten lyrics, studio-used song charts, free UM concert tickets, and more. The tokens are intended to help familiarize fans with NFTs and the Web3 space, which the band sees as a great new way to connect with their audience. They can be purchased with a regular credit card for $25, and no crypto wallet is needed to access the included benefits. Token holders are also entitled to future benefit unlocks.
Umphrey’s McGee has also teamed up with Osiris Media, the podcast network co-founded by Phish lyricist Tom Marshall, to produce Talking Circles, a podcast that offers fans an inside look into the making of Asking For A Friend. The program will tell the story of the writing and recording of the album utilizing demos, live recordings, alternate takes, mix stems, and interviews with all six band members. Five episodes are currently live, with more due to release throughout the rest of the summer.
Asking For A Friend is now available on vinyl and all streaming platforms. Stream the album via Soundcloud in the player below.
Umphrey’s McGee’s tour continues on July 8th at the Bud Light Amphitheater at Paper Mill Island in Baldwinsville, NY. Click below to view a list of upcoming tour dates. To find more information and purchase tickets, visit the band’s website.
Umphrey’s McGee – Asking For A Friend