Twitter: @jamesamdownes
Website: theendofamericamusic.com

Band Bio: Blame it on Kerouac. From the pages of his masterpiece, On The Road, New York City based folk trio The End of America draws inspiration for both their band and their name. The novel’s concept of traveling to the end of the “groaning continent” seems almost like a dare, where by those who choose to accept it will follow the road till the earth runs out and they find themselves where all artists long to be: the farthest you can go. [excerpt from their band bio]

I’m constantly learning how to live within the today — to truly enjoy what the moment holds. How have you found yourself doing this lately?

That’s something that’s always been difficult for me. I can get stuck in my head pretty easily. I think about the future a lot, too. Too much, I think. Obviously, unless we die right now, there’s something ahead of us. But, I guess the trick is preparing for it while still enjoying now. I mean, now is some past time’s future. But, to do that, sometimes I turn to weed. Other times meditation. But really, doing something I enjoy is what really helps me be in the moment. Music is the perfect example of this. Sex, good conversation, laughing — all that, too.

What is your earliest memory of creating/producing something you were proud of?

I made a BMX bike out of spare parts when I was 9 years old. I was so stoked on it. I would spend hours making courses with jumps and ramps in the woods just to ride that beast. I rode it into the ground. It looked like shit, but it was my ride, no one else had a bike like it.

Who pushed you in your music? And what did they do to help you?

My folks really supported my dedication to music. Made me feel like it was a viable choice in life. And I was fucking young when I decided music was my thing, too. I was eleven. Not once did I get an awkward glace and a shifty “You know, music is a realllly hard thing to make a living at. Maybe you should consider…”. Also, my buddy Jeff, who I’ve been playing music with for years, has been an inspiration. Always showing the importance of moving forward and getting better at what you do.

How does your creative process begin?

It usually begins with something to get my mind thinking about anything other than logistics about the future. A lot of times it’s a book (A Song of Ice and Fire is blowing my mind right now), or more so an author. The style that people use to express ideas inspires me. It makes me want to develop my own style for verbal communication. Once I have the itch to “say something”, I’ll sit with a guitar and try to improvise some chords under it. From there it builds into a complete song.

What inspires you?

Being totally at peace with myself and the world. I haven’t arrived there yet. Maybe I never will. Maybe that’s the point. But in the end, trying to live a happy life with better relationships is what gives me strength to move forward, answers the “why should I even bother?” question that sometimes pops into my head.

What role does collaboration play in your music, more specifically how does a song come about?

Collaboration is a huge part of End of America. We started as three guys that sang lead in their previous bands. Once we joined up, we took a crash course in knowing what unique and special things we all bring to the table. I think we’re figuring that out now. Knowing each other’s strengths helps us create songs together because we can anticipate where someone will make the composition better. If someone writes a tune by themselves, they’ll leave it very open ended. It gives the other two a chance to add their own unique colors.

What would you say to someone who was feeling unfulfilled in their life, what advice would you have for that person?

Hmm. That’s tough. I’m no expert. But I think when it comes to feeling unfulfilled, it usually has something to do with denying yourself the opportunity to follow your passions. You have every right to the life of your choice- and your making. Being fulfilled won’t come easy, but nothing worth anything ever does.

Once a project is finished and shipped to the world, what do you do to unwind/celebrate/relax?

I don’t do enough of that. I should. Kind of where I run into problems. I just go and go. But when I do relax, it’ll usually look like a trip to my hometown to see the dogs I grew up with, and to see the water. I come from a coastal town, so the smell of salt water eases my nerves.

Lastly, some short answer randomness…

Who is your biggest fan? My mom. Definitely.

What is the last album that you could not get enough of? Kurt Vile: Smoke Ring For My Halo

Who is your favorite visual artist? Mike Fennen, @beadlerworks on the twitter.

Name a website you visit almost daily? Gmail. Not that exciting.

Apple or PC? No preference.

Item on your next Christmas List? Health insurance.

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*scary… she runs exactly like me – chest out, arms high, long strides.

More photos here.

This Fall, we will be introducing two more cuties to the world…

Yes. Two. Twins. Doubles. Dos. Multiples… Two.

Candace and I couldn’t be more ecstatic and frightened in the expected exponential growth of our family. Haddie is a bit more skeptical, as she has enjoyed being the apple of our eye for the past 15 months, and doesn’t quite understand the consequences of her new upcoming reality. But, hey… she’ll be fine… right?

We would covet a a double dose of prayers for a very healthy pregnancy, both for Candace and the little ones on the way. We will be finding out the sex of these two rascals in late May, and may or may not share the results of the ultrasound, so bare with us… it’s all new from here on out.

Thanks to everyone, family, friends, and new acquaintances for the love and support you’ve given us over the past few years. We love how BIG life can truly be and are excited for the upcoming adventure that will taking center stage at the DuRegger house!!

Practical Prayer Requests:

• New Car: Our Element only has two seats in the back… so we are making the jump to a minivan (megafun).
• King Size Bed: We are going to upgrade to a King… looking for any deals out there.
• Triple Stroller: Candace and Ouray like their long afternoon strolls around Sugar House, and a triple stroller would be the ticket.
• 38 Weeks: If the twins could stay patient and make it to 38 weeks… we would be very thankful, as anytime before would mean a possible NICU stay (which is a downer because it costs a lot of $$$ and we would have limited skin-to-skin time).
• Sleep: For obvious reasons.

Love you all!

- Sam, Candace, Haddie & Ouray

*taken at Newport Beach in Costa Mesa, California on January 30, 2013. No Filter.

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1.25.12
3:51am

Baby D. We have yet to meet you. Since 4:45am Tuesday morning, your momma has been a trooper… You’re a slow burner, we thought you’d come out quicker, being that you are such an active baby… always kicking, punching and flipping in your mom’s tummy.

We have yet to meet you… but know that you are loved and treasured. Our first born… There is something unique about you that we are about to discover. Your mannerism already present. You are ornery, restless, and a procrastinator. But, you are also patient, punctual, and rambunctious. We cannot wait to see you.

Our prayer this early morning is that you come out soon… That you are healthy, and full of life. That you and your mom come out of this healthy and whole. I’m not going to lie this has been a really stressful…”

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Three hours later Candace was taken in for a C-Section, as Hadassah had lodged herself posterior occipital with a hand wedged by her forehead. She was stuck, and not moving another centimeter. In retrospect, I was so nervous, yet the anxiety was overpowered by hope and excitement… we were about to meet our child! In a rush of blue gowns and surgical banter we finally saw and heard our daughter. Crying and scared with her dark hair plastered to her forehead like a wet washrag. In those few minutes, I experienced some of the most powerful emotions from anxious fear to pure joy and adoration. And as Candace was attended to I got to bring our daughter to our hospital room and sit with her skin to skin. She slept and I wept. It was amazing.

This past year, the assumptions from my 3:51am scribbles still ring true… she is an ornery, restless little girl, and we love her because of these things. Hadassah turned one yesterday. And we couldn’t be more blessed to watch who she is becoming — one step, one fit, one word, and one giggle at a time.

Hadassah Marie DuRegger – Verse and Prayer

Isaiah 41:18-20
“I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.

I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the the Holy One of Israel has created it.”

A prayer for our daughter.

Hadassah, may you flourish in the desert, and may you recover quickly after the fires and floods of life. May you have ferocious curiosity like your father and be full of faith and long suffering like your mother.

May you bring nourishment to the suffering and shade to the broken.

Missio Dei, will you be an encouragement and a support, a place of refuge in Hadassah’s early years, and a place of sending out when that times comes. May you join with us in bringing up our daughter — guiding us and her in the ways of our Lord.

God, will you give us all discernment and wisdom in the raising up of this child; grace in the troubled times, encouragement during growing pains, and a love that binds through it all.

Amen.

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Family photo circa November 24, 2012