With the national release of the Tennessee Before Daylight album under their belt and years of consistent national touring and collective song writing, Outformation entered the recording studio in early 2007 to record their second album, Traveler's Rest.

For Outformation, recording Traveler's Rest was a collective song writing process among band members and other musical influences. The title track, "Traveler's Rest" was a large collaboration between Widespread Panic and Outformation. In addition, Mickey Raphael, from Willie Nelson's Family Band, plays harmonica on the track "Winds". "We're really excited to have him on the album, his tone is unbelievable" said Sam Holt.
The album is composed of an array of songs old and new. For instance, the song "Anymore" had never been played live at the time of the album recording, "Carnac" had only been played once, and "Toy's Song" had been around since the start of the band.

Outformation has appeared at Bonnaroo, SXSW, Hi Sierra Music Festival, Magnoliafest, and Wakarusa. In , 2007 following the release of Traveler's Rest, Outformation opened for Widespread Panic, Shooter Jennings, and Umphrey's McGee. These days Outformation finds themselves more mature and focused on their music. With a growing national fan base and consistent touring schedule, Outformation is ready to explore a new and exciting musical territory, which they find in Traveler's Rest.

* AARON KAYCE ON OUTFORMATION:

* In response to Outformation’s auspicious entrance to the music world, the rising stars were named “Best New Band” of 2005 Honest Tune Magazine’s reader’s poll, and Tennessee Before Daylight was nominated for “Best Album” by the editorial staff of the same publication. But it’s not just readers and writers of Honest Tune who have taken notice, with club dates selling out across the country it appears that fans of blue-collar, hard-nosed rock & roll are taking notice everywhere. When talking to producer/keyboardist Jojo Hermann, about Outformation’s rapid success he is quick to reference the dynamic six-string skills of Sam Holt. “Sam's got that hypnotic thing,” says Hermann. “He kinda gets into that trance when he plays, and all my favorite guitar players have that ability to somewhat become hypnotized themselves. Mikey [Houser] and Junior Kimbrough - there was a hypnotic thing, and I think Sam has that. It's a big part of what drew me to him."

Regardless of whether Holt developed his confident, “hypnotic” style by touring with Outformation, learning at the foot of Michael Houser, sitting in numerous times with Widespread Panic, or by simply tapping into the music in his head, it’s a driving factor to the Outformation sound. Having already played for packed stadiums with tens of thousands of screaming fans, Holt is ready to lead Outformation to the masses.

Armed with an arsenal of story-based, workingman songs, ever-increasing moments of magic on stage, and growing pockets of fans across the country, Outformation is clearly on the move. “We’re to the point where we’re ready,” says Holt. “I’m looking forward to getting in front of bigger audiences and pushing it… just give it to ‘em, just go crazy. I’m looking forward to the ride, and I hope it’s a ride we can stay on for a while.”

Listening to Holt speak of the future, you can hear the excitement in his voice. “I definitely feel it… I see something; I’m on my tiptoes looking at something, can’t quite make it out, but something’s out there.” Although Holt may not quite be able to see it, what he’s looking at is the sound of Outformation making it. Outformation is a band on the brink of something big.

-Aaron Kayce

Info via foryouroutformation.com. Photo via Outformation's MySpace page.