Hummingbird& Colors of the Year

“Louise” first took shape during an inspired stretch of writing in the summer of 2011. The chorus came first, and I loved how inevitable it sounded. I had always loved my friend Jerry DeCicca's song “Rocks in My Shoes” with the Black Swans; that song—and the image of bells on the soles of your shoes—helped point me toward “Louise.”

We recorded it in 2012. While we were mixing it in 2015, my friend Quinn arranged a Nashville session with pedal-steel great Al Perkins as a birthday gift. Al loved the song and told us we were a great band. I'll take that any day.

Chris Bolognese's weaving bass lines lift the relatively simple harmonic structure and give the song real musical weight. Paul Headley's drums are unmistakably his: deep in the pocket, with tasteful ghost notes and fills. Matt and Jake's guitars bring steady warmth, and Phil Cogley makes a guest appearance on backing vocals.

I'm proud of this song. For me, “Louise” is the emotional centerpiece of Mercury Ghost.