MORE ABOUT ‘TIME DEVOURS ALL THINGS’ 

“Time Devours All Things,” came about directly after Safari Room’s second album was released. I was ready for more music and to continue laying down new songs. I wasn’t sure where the next album was headed, but I felt like I had more — or new things — to say. The well was far from dry.

We worked closely with Cole Yepsen throughout the making of ‘Complex House Plants,’ first as our ears in the studio and lead engineer, then as co-producer and creative confidant on the album. Diving into “Time Devours All Things,” Cole’s role expanded, as I bounced song and demo ideas off him from very start. Cole and I quickly developed a rhythm and detailed dialogue about the large batch of songs that seemed non-stop, then narrowing the bushel down to the ten songs that made the album. Altogether, we spent about a year and a half from start to finish, from the very first demo exchanges to the last master’s approval. It’s perhaps the longest a Safari Room album has taken, but I set out to make an album with a “no rush” policy, and I think it helped preserve the beauty and poignancy of the work.

At the very beginning writing and demoing the record, I was in a fairly lonely and complicated headspace. From early 2021 to May 2022, I was working closely with the band constantly. Whether it was demoing, recording, editing, touring, mixing or rehearsing… It was a time of aggressive work and exciting musical developments. But I think that came at the cost of things starting to wane within. After being so connected to one another through so much, I began to see the tethers loosen on the guys involved with Safari Room for the last three years and two full albums. I was starting to see that time was taking its toll on Safari Room and my friends involved. For whatever reason, no fault of anyone singularly, the closeness was starting to decrease or at least shift.

This was embodied in many ways, but it was resolved with grace, compassion and love of the people I’d been growing with for the last handful of years. While Cole and I were hard at work demoing and writing the record in mid 2022, the band had some difficult and important conversations. We were all able to find beauty in the change needed to ensure we were all doing what was best for each of our individual goals and passions. Since, I have embraced a new (but somehow always known) definition of what Safari Room means. Yes, it’s something that has my face on it, it is something that at its core is mine. It’s my baby, but it’s more than that. Consider it like the ring leader of a musical circus. It’s a “village” of great friends and brilliant musicians that are driven to make something magical happen with Safari Room’s music and beyond.

Embracing the revolving door of musicians within Safari Room has given me so much peace of mind, accepting what I can’t control. And this narrative greatly effected this album, helping me find the underlying theme through the process. That, despite things existing and being wonderful, they must come to an end and they are consumed by time itself. Nothing personal, nothing intentional, just a byproduct of time elapsing. And there’s joy that can be found in that which we cannot control.

And the end of the day, Time Devours All Things. Good and bad. Terrible and beautiful. For better and for worse. Safari Room’s third album is out now. Happy feasting, friends. 

‘TIME DEVOURS ALL THINGS’ CREDITS

Safari Room is Alec Koukol
All music & lyrics written by Alec Koukol,
except for Track 3, written by Alec Koukol + Justine Hauge

Alec Koukol: Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Synthesizers, Piano, Percussion, Programming
Austin Drewry: Drums, Percussion
Chris Collier: Guitar on Tracks 4, 6 and 9

All songs engineered by Cole Yepsen,
except Track 1 engineered by Cole Yepsen + Harrison Smith

Produced by Cole Yepsen + Alec Koukol
Tracked at Austin’s House and Alec’s House

All tracks mixed by Collin Pastore,
except Tracks 5 and 7 mixed by Jared Corder

Mastered by Preston Cochran

Cover art by Randy Lobato + Alec Koukol
Single art by Randy Lobato
Photo of Alec by Ben McBee