Almost Nine

Almost Nine is the name of an EP by American powerpop band The Paper Jets. It was released on May 26, 2015 via the FDR Label. It is the first item in the band's catalog not to be self-released.

Conception, Recording & Tracks
The EP was conceived as a way to "empty the table," of any extra songs the group played live but hadn't placed on any official release. With that in mind, recordings date from various period's in the band's history.

1. Elizabeth Distressed (Erickson/Lambusta) - Written at the start of the No Good sessions and finalized during the recording of, We Are All Strange Friends, "Elizabeth Distressed," has been a staple of the band's set list since becoming a three-piece in 2011.

2. Brand New Shoes (Erickson/Lettieri/Maloney) - Recorded at Frank Lettieri's Fat Head Studios during the summer of 2013, "Brand New Shoes," is based around a guitar riff by Lettieri and a set of lyrics by Maloney.

3. Of An Extrovert (Erickson/Lettieri/Maloney) - Recorded during the We Are All Strange Friends sessions, "Extrovert," was written in 2008 and performed a number of times by the group's earlier, four-piece lineup.

4. Jo, Don't Let Me (Tim Ryan) - Recorded specifically for Almost Nine. "Jo," began popping up in the band's setlists in the Spring of 2014. For this recording, Erickson played bass and organ (as opposed to his usual guitar). Lettieri and Maloney handled the bulk of the guitar-work.

5. Long as I Can See the Light (J.C. Fogerty) - This recording was done over the Summer of 2013 during sessions for an abandoned Brian Erickson solo album. It was recorded at MOSHI Studios (where most of the Strange Friends sessions took place). It features Erickson singing and playing piano unaccompanied by any additional musicians. After MOSHI closed its doors, studio owner Ian Bennett handed Lettieri the tapes to the sessions. The song made it onto the EP after the rest of the band - unaware that the sessions existed in the first place - heard the abandoned recordings.

Record Deal & Release
Mick Chorba, head of The FDR Label, a New Jersey-based powerpop imprint invited the band to appear on his My Hometown: A Tribute to New Jersey compilation in July of 2013. On the strength of that appearance, a number of positive live performances in the ensuing year, and a bevy of positive critical reviews of their We Are All Strange Friends album, The Paper Jets and The FDR Label officially joined forces for the EP.

Personnel
Brian Erickson - vocals, guitar, slide, bass, organ, keyboard

Scottie Maloney - bass, guitar

Frank Lettieri Jr - drums, guitar

Bill Lambusta - guitar on "Elizabeth Distressed"

Tim Ryan - acoustic guitar and backing vocals on "Jo Don't Let Me"

Technical Personnel
Production:  The Paper Jets

Engineering:  Ian DG Bennett, Frank Lettieri Jr, Jeff Sarafinas, Brian Erickson

Mixing:  Ian DG Bennett, Frank Lettieri Jr

Mastering:  Brian Erickson