Remember when Sufjan started the Fifty States Project, where he was to write an entire album for each of our states? Well, this isn't about him. This is about Evan Weiss, who made a pact to write and record a new song each week of his 23rd year, for a project called "Into It Over It".



What gave you such an ambitious idea?
I was in a rut with my life -- musically and otherwise. I needed something to make me (and keep me) motivated. The name was just an inside joke, but it makes way more sense (on so many levels) than I ever thought it could.

How hard has it been so far?
I've gotten nervous a couple times. Some songs have come easier than others, but working under pressure has it's advantages. I've been trying to stick to a formula. Write new music, Friday. Practice and fine tune, Saturday and Sunday. Write lyrics, Monday. Practice with vocals and think of extra ideas, Tuesday. Record, Wednesday. New song goes online, Thursday.

After this year is over, are you planning an official album release?
My dream is to have someone put it on vinyl. While the 52 weeks are going, you can download the songs; once the year is over, they'll be locked, completely remixed, and released.

You have an entire network of bandmates and friends in bands, have they helped?
Steve* has been a huge help. When I first had the idea, I called him to reserve every Wednesday night from 10 to 1, for a whole year. Jason* and Mike* have drummed on about half the songs. I've been playing music with them for years and we work really well together. Brian* has been doing all of the design for intoitoverit.com. I try to keep it as much me as possible, but it's awesome having friends that can help!

* Steve runs Gradwell House Studios, where Evan records the songs, and he and Evan are bandmates in Brian's It's A King Thing. Jason, Mike, and Evan are bandmates in The Progress (Negative Progression Records).