With the exception of song number three, This Is How It Is Lost was written during a single week in the summer of 2001 by Keith Anderson, Craig McCaffrey, Paul Newman, and Edward Robert. "Machine Is Not Broken, Sir," predates the album with a similar title, and was written with Anthony Nozero in Austin, Texas. Exact date of composition unknown. The words were written and sung by Edward Robert, with the exception of "Machine...," where Craig McCaffrey is responsible.
Principle recording took place in a rented room at The Butcher Shop, Chicago, July 3-5, 2001. Jason Ward arranged for the space, brought the equipment, built a temporary studio, and ran the show. Additional recording, and all mixing, took place at Jason Ward's Prole Arts Studio (beta version) throughout 2002.
The Emperor Jones release (catalog number EJ70) is our fourth album and fifth full-length release.