Five years ago I undertook a project that would fundamentally change my life. As a high school senior who had absolutely 0 experience recording, I chose to spend eight months of my life working on my first ever album. I suspected my peers found this to be a bold move as no one our age from our small town had ever attempted such an endeavor, at least that I'm aware of. I was blessed with support I had never expected and the creation of the original Woods will forever define the memories of my senior year.

As a self defined ambitious writer, I wanted the album to revolve around a central theme that derived from my fears of obsessive men. This evolved into a tale about a man with an unrelenting capacity to adore a particular female he sets his sights on. Naturally the woman is, more or less, creeped out by his admiration and cuts all contact. Unfortunately, this proves to be too much for the main character, he stalks his love interest and eventually kills her out of his paranoia that she'll begin to see other men.

My abilities at the time of making the original album were vastly underdeveloped, and it reflects as the album has aged. I made it goal to release an album every year that showcased the development of my abilities since the original Woods until I felt comfortable creating what I initially planned.

Today, I can confidently tell you that this album is everything I intended for it to be. I hope you enjoy Woods.

I want to thank a few people who have influenced, supported, and inspired me throughout my musical journey so far:

Marcus Perez - I'm aware we've had our ups and our downs throughout the years, and perhaps we're never meant to be the closest of friends. However you and I both know we wouldn't be where we are today without each other. Your support and help on the original Woods, Pluto, and Atlantis helped us both discover who we are as artists and individuals.

Nathan Gitchell - I'm going to be honest, that Pluto review was probably the thing that helped me the most out of anything I've ever taken that's helped me become a better artist. I have looked to it constantly with every project I've made to make sure I'm covering the mistakes I made in my past work. Thank you for always being a supportive friend.

Jon Gibbs - It's been a long time since we really connected, and I apologize for that. When the original Woods was recorded and for about a year after you pulled me out of one of the deepest slumps I was ever in with your passion for music. Without you, there's no drive to keep GLFC going, to continue writing, to continue making when I thought I was done with this. Thank you.

Caleb Doerr - You've done in depth reviews of nearly every album I've ever made and aren't shy to give me critiques. It's amazing to me that five years have passed since we recorded that sax solo for the original version of Escape Me. I hope this new version of Woods can show you how far I've come both as an individual and musician.

Kenaniah North - Ken, I do not have enough nice things to ever say about you. I honestly can not fathom how much my life has changed through your ability to bring people together, and that's reflected in how my music has progressed both with and without your direct contribution. I hope we can work on more together soon because you have a heart of gold, and the voice of an angel. I love you, man.

Ian Delong - From the days of Miles To Come you have simply been my biggest fan. I feel like I can't say enough how much I appreciate how excited you get when I'm self indulgent and talk about my music. I hope this version of Woods does you better than the original did.

Andrew Linabury - My dude. It was a godsend when you accepted my offer to be on Pluto, I've never worked with someone who worked so hard and had so much passion for their art. Without Pluto and Atlantis there is no I Confess, and I'm as proud as this album as I am of our I Confess project. We've talked about bigger topics than I normally ever hit with people who've known me their entire life. You are my brother, and we're going to take on the musical landscape together.

Lindsey Flores - Perhaps you'll never read this, and that's okay. Your impact on me resonates with every song I wrote for so long. You gave me feelings I thought were long dead, and that inspired some of my best work. You helped me put on some of the best shows Owosso has ever seen, and you never let me feel like anything was in my way musically. Keep chasing your passions and dreams.

James Schramm - Before I start I want you to know that I apologize for not keeping good contact, we both have busy lives and I understand that. I remember how cringey you thought the original Woods was back in the day and that moment resonates with me to this day as the moment I knew I wanted to go back and make a second album that topped Woods in every way possible. Thank you for dealing with my badgering during those years. No matter how far apart we may become, know that many tracks off of Paradox are still being listened and felt by myself and others. I look forward to seeing what big ambitious projects you accomplish in the future.

Aidan Pope - While you haven't ever been a direct collaborator with GLFC, you've made it a point to show me that the music anyone makes on a shoestring budget can be as professional and it is powerful. I value your input and insight unlike many others, and the people you've introduced me to have humbled me with their intellect and creative minds.

Matt McNamara - It's insane to me that you and I have held onto our friendship despite numerous reasons why we potentially could have lost everything. I don't take this for granted. You and your group of friends who you've introduced me to throughout the years have given me so much hope about the power of local music and the camaraderie it brings. Don't lose faith in yourself or the music you write, I have as much faith as I can possibly muster in you and your art. Don't let the dream of being in a kickass band die.

Trevor Loux - Who would have thought that the guy who listened to John Mayer a little too much would remain one of the most important people in my life in 2017? You are well aware of how important your influence has been on me, both as a musician and as an individual. There's no one I'd rather spend a long car ride and listen to just about anything with. Thank you for the stories, the songs, and the memories. I won't let you down.

Emily Noel - When Rachel put up that video of you singing that song you wrote years ago I've wanted to write music with you. Of course this wouldn't come to fruition until many years later when we started becoming friends in 2012, even then we never really started hanging out all that much until right before you moved in with us at The Palace. The days of us jamming at The Palace inspired me to grow so much as a vocalist. Your voice is unlike anything I've ever heard before and I hope we can write songs together one day like we always planned but never got around to. You'll always be my friend.

Randie Strouse - My boy. You humble me as an artist and as a musician, there is simply no other person that I look up to so much with everything dealing with music. Integrity, originality, eclecticness, and ingenuity - these are traits that I see shine through every piece of music you work on whether it be your own or someone else's. Thank you for making Photography the album it is, and always being my biggest supporter.

Ellie Kenealy - Never have I met such a creative force that transcends so many mediums. Never have I met such a soul that resonates with me on so many levels. The songs you write put mine to shame and it's a crime that I'm even remotely recognized when you should be going on worldwide tours every year. I can't thank you enough for being my best friend through and through, I have never met a person as genuine as you.

Orion McMullen - I can't cover everything I want to say, and you know that. Thank you for being my best friend all these years and never losing faith in me even when I've let you down. Hopefully you can be proud of how far I've come after listening to this record. I love you.