Just last week, a friend and I were wondering what happened to Collin Herring. When I spoke with Collin at last year's SXSW, he was putting finishing touches on a new album produced by Ken Coomer. In fact, he included the first completed song on a compilation CD handed out at the Sin City Social Club day party. Then a couple months later a note on his site mentioned he'd re-entered the recording studio, this time with Colin Cripps. Only a small handful of live shows followed in 2006, with none I know of so far in 2007.

With such infrequent updates to his website, it finally dawned on me to check Collin's MySpace page. And sure enough, there's an update pointing to a spring release of the new album, Past Life Crashing.

After appearing at Paste Magazine's SXSW '06 showcase, Collin Herring resumed work on his upcoming 3rd record, "Past Life Crashing", set for release in Spring '07. Always anxious to get into the studio and unleash mayhem, Collin started the project in Nashville last year with producer Ken Coomer (Uncle Tupelo/Wilco). Next stop was Austin, where Colin Cripps (Kathleen Edwards) produced additional tracks. Another veteran from the Collin Herring trail, Stuart Sikes (Modest Mouse/ Loretta Lynn) also contributes his skills during mixdown and final production. … Helping Collin on the upcoming "Past Life Crashing" cd are musicians from Wilco, Son Volt, Alejandro Escovedo, Fastball and Americana heroine Kathleen Edwards, whose vocal and violin can be heard on "Punches", Collin's mp3 @sxsw.com. And, of course, Collin's dad, Ben Roi Herring, again adds the pedal steel swag to the mix. Collin Herring's band, in addition to his dad, Ben Roi (pedal steel/keyboards/harmony vocals), include Austinites Alan Durham (lead guitar), Joey Shuffield (drums) and Harmoni Kelley (bass guitar).

Collin's The Other Side of Kindness is perhaps my favorite CD in the three years I've had this site. It's an understatement to say I'm eagerly awaiting Past Life Crashing.