Ashes to Eden is Kacee’s first album since arriving in Nashville in 2021. It was inspired by the devastation of her childhood hometown of Paradise in the 2018 Camp Fire and her subsequent exodus from California to Tennessee. It’s a rootsy, soulful blend with multi-genre flavors, from bluesy rock and country to old Motown, folky pop and gospel.
Kacee teamed up with local songwriter and guitar player, Bart Ryan, to take a deep dive into the art of storytelling and arranging. Together, they crafted 11 separate stories that create a beautiful arc, drawing the listener in and taking them on a heartfelt journey. Kacee was thrilled to work with some incredible Nashville musicians, including Jack Bruno, her now neighbor and former Joe Cocker tourmate. Working with Jack was a full circle moment for her and his input was pivotal, sending her in the direction of Kevin McKendree of The Rock House studio, where rhythm tracks were eventually laid with the band as follows: Bart Ryan (guitars, lap steel, mandolin, ukulele), Kevin McKendree (piano, Wurly, B3), David Santos (electric/upright/fretless bass), and Jack Bruno (drums). In addition to this extraordinary ensemble, Kacee was over the moon to have her friend, rock legend, Billy Sheehan, come in and play on a track!
Kacee and Bart spent the next year recording vocals at Starlight Studios, and creating layers of overdubs with Ray Yslas & Jim Evans (percussion), Jim Hoke (horn arrangements, saxophones, accordion), Emmanuel Echem (trumpet), and James Pennebaker (fiddle). And what a joy to have good friends Sylvia MacCalla (choir arrangement, background vocals), Joanna Janét Emley & Tyra Juliette (background vocals) join in on the project.
Ashes to Eden was produced by Kacee and Bart Ryan, and mixed/mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at The Creation Station East, with additional mastering by Alex McCullough of True East Mastering. It was recorded by Kevin McKendree, Bart Ryan and Stephan Oberhoff, with edits by Bart Ryan and Stephan Oberhoff.
