Everything Ever Written

Background

In 2009, Idlewild released its crowd-funded sixth studio album, Post Electric Blues. By the end of the following year, the band embarked upon an "indefinite hiatus" after touring commitments ceased. Vocalist Roddy Woomble noted, "My interest was kind of decreasing with what, latterly, we did with Idlewild, because it was very traddy rock-band, you know, rhythm player, lead player, bass, drums - I think we made some great records like that and had some great concerts, but I wasn't interested in doing that.” In late 2010, the band issued a ten-year anniversary of its second studio album, 100 Broken Windows (2000), and spent their final performances performing the album in its entirety. Woomble stated: "The gigs were bittersweet because we knew we were at the end."

During the band's hiatus, Roddy Woomble recorded and released two solo albums, The Impossible Song & Other Songs (2011) and Listen to Keep (2013), guitarist Rod Jones formed the indie rock band The Birthday Suit, releasing three studio albums, while drummer Colin Newton moved to Canada.

Reunion

In 2013, Woomble and Jones began writing with one another again: "For two or three years we didn’t really have much contact with each other, creatively speaking, but very naturally, at the start of 2013 it started to happen. [...] There was always an understanding between Rod and myself and Colin that we’d work on another record at some point, whether it would be two years, three years, ten years. We’d come too far to just close the door." Long-time guitarist Allan Stewart and bass guitarist Gareth Russell remained absent from the sessions, with Woomble noting, "Gareth and Allan have not been involved much so far due to both their other touring commitments, but they will be in time, as will others." Ultimately, both did not participate in the writing and recording of Everything Ever Written and amicably parted from the band.

Production

Recording began in late 2013, with guitarist Rod Jones occupying the role of producer. Regarding his production influences, Jones stated: "I’m a big fan of Wilco and Jeff Tweedy, I’m a big fan of how their records are so much lower than other peoples, not in terms of volume but in terms of tone. I like to think of them as thick, like a nice thick broth. It’s a strange analogy, but that’s the one we use."

Track listing

All tracks written by Idlewild.

Idlewild

Additional musicians

Recording personnel

Artwork