moe. will release its next studio album, Sticks and Stones, on January 22 via its own Fatboy Records. Produced by the band and John Siket (of The Siket Disc fame), the disc arrives just one year after the groups well received The Conch. The album will also be available in limited edition vinyl; a first for moe. in this format. Excluding the songs ‘Conviction Song’ and ‘All Roads Lead To Home’, the new album was written entirely during the recording sessions, marking the first time moe. has recorded an album of unheard, new material.

‘The material differs quite a bit from The Conch and Wormwood which
were largely cultivated from songs nurtured through live improvisation,’ guitarist Al Schnier says in a statement. ‘The songs that comprise [this album] are much more straight, like many classic songs in the moe. canon, and have a roots rock quality to them, as opposed to the more progressive rock element of The Conch.’
According the band, the moe. songwriting process usually begins with one band member bringing in the core of a song, before the rest of the group learns and arranges it. The song is then performed live for at least a year. It morphs through many tweaks and edits and then one day it finally gets recorded. For this release however, moe. rented an old church in the mountains of New England and brought their own recording gear. The idea was to create a unique, comfortable situation that was conducive to creativity.
‘We wrote & recorded the bulk of the album in about three weeks,’ Schnier continues. ‘The songwriting was largely collaborative, whereas in the past it had been much more singular.’
Guest musicians include Cornmeal’s Allie Kral playing violin and viola on ‘Cathedral’, ‘Conviction Song’, ‘September’ and ‘Raise A Glass, Emilio China playing violin on ‘Cathedral, the members of Umphrey’s McGee adding backing vocals to ‘Raise A Glass’ and Nadine Lafond singing on several selections.
moe. will celebrate New Years Eve at New Yorks Radio City Music Hall before hitting the road for a winter tour beginning January 17 at San Fracniscos The Fillmore.