With The Distant Present, WONDERLOST takes listeners on an expansive journey through time, memory, and imagination. The 11-track record, recorded in Coral Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands, and produced by Allen Clapp, blends dystopian B-sides, instrumental soundscapes, and deeply collaborative moments into a body of work that feels both haunting and hopeful. From decades-old songs revived with fresh energy to brand-new sonic curios born in the Caribbean, the project is immersive, theatrical, and entirely transportive.
We sat down with WONDERLOST to dive into the stories behind the record, its collaborative spirit, and the strange, beautiful space they call The Distant Present.
Interview with WONDERLOST
Jared: So many people spend their lives either in the past or the future, but really they live in this place that is so far from either and at the same time also not really in the moment. It should be so easy to be there, living in the now, in the present, but it’s kind of this beautiful spot just out of reach. A lot of these songs reflect on the way that the past and future circle around us and a lot of my approach in music and life is striving to find that distant present.
Jared: I was eager to bring lyrics and more collaborations into this album to kind of better align with my performing. But as for the song choices, I have always gravitated towards B-side tunes and the dark side of the street.
Jared: As a working musician in the Caribbean, the vibe and pulse of reggae, soca, scratch (Quelbe) kind of finds its way in. I am sure listeners will hear those subtle undertones, but you won’t get straight one-drop reggae anything like that. Living on St John, you develop a perspective. A small island is smaller than a small town, and being here is a blessing. I feel those two pieces can be felt on the record.
Jared: I have been performing with all of these players for years. Some live here on island, some are touring through and we book shows together. Jalil and Aaron Strickland and I play in Mother Goat (a psychedelic rock band), Broheem, Charlie Fardella and I have played in countless different acts, funk, jazz, reggae bands. Mark Joseph of the Big Wu comes down and we play lots of shows together, Fletcher used to live on Island and he and I wrote a bunch of this material over Zoom during Covid… These guys are all my brothers.
Jared: It is wild to release songs we started playing out 20 years ago. She’s Like the Weather I think the earliest takes of that I recorded on a 4-track in the late 90’s. I probably have only performed it two times in the last 20 years. That one Fletch really wanted to revive and I love how it came out… no drums! And Jackson Kincheloe from Sister Sparrow and Dirty Birds just absolutely slays the slide guitar on that one.
Jared: Allen is every musician’s best friend. It’s so amazing to work with someone who gives the art full service. Not only is he a straight ninja in regards to mixing but the studio is nearly flawless in efficiency and tone, which means that all creative ideas are within reach without any technical delays or distractions. Plus he’s a killer singer and player.
Jared: This album is more organic than the last two. The last two were dedicatedly electronic instrumentals. This one brought in a lot more variety of real instruments and of course vocals. I don’t know that I would leave anything behind going forward, the whole point is to keep learning, growing the back of tricks.
Jared: Bryan is an amazing artist. He and I have worked on some of my larger scale sculpture installations and he seemed like a perfect choice to give some variety to my art. I do so much of my own art, I wanted to collaborate to mirror the collaborative feel of the music. Avalene is constantly supporting me and has a great visual mind.
Jared: The whole thing together is pretty theatrical to me and I hope people come into the surreal world with me. It’s vivid and luscious and swirling all around and I hope it paints pictures in their minds.
Jared: Right now I am working pretty close to releasing our next Mother Goat album. That should be coming out in full early 2027, with a single or two later this year. I have shows lined up with most of the players on this album through the winter. I never stop writing, even if it’s just licks, or quick melodies or a verse here and there. So I have plans to get a 4th WONDERLOST album laid down early 2027 and have a concept and several songs brewing for it.
Closing Thoughts
With The Distant Present, WONDERLOST blurs the lines between memory and imagination, creating a sonic space that feels timeless yet immediate. It’s an album born of community, reflection, and decades of evolution—an invitation to step outside the noise of reality and embrace something more vivid.
The Distant Present is out September 5, 2025, on Good Duck Records. Follow WONDERLOST on socials and streaming platforms to experience the journey.
