When Louden Swain began working on the band's tenth studio album,Feelings and Such, theworld looked much different than it had two years earlier.The band's frontman, Rob Benedict, had gone through a divorce. Bassist Michael Borja hadrecently lost his father. Everyone's lives had been altered by the pandemic that broughteveryday life to a standstill for months on end. It was a time of uncertainty and change. Whatremained the same, though, were the creative bonds shared by Louden Swain's four members."We're like brothers," says Benedict, who co-founded the long-running group in 1997. "It'sbeen that way since the very beginning. We're all very committed — to each other, to themusic, to the band — and that's what holds Louden Swain together."With its combination of rock & roll swagger and melodic jangle,Feelings and Suchisn't just thefinest record of Louden Swain's 25-year career. It's also a testament to the shared history andmusical chemistry that continue to fuel the band's output. Co-produced by Louden Swain andlongtime collaborator Zackary Darling,Feelings and Suchis stocked with emotive, electrifyingsongs about pushing past challenges and turning one's struggles into salvation. It's an albumrooted in trials and triumphs, whipped into shape by a band of rock & roll lifers who've hadplenty of experience with both.Formed in Los Angeles and named after a character in 1980sfilmVision Quest, Louden Swainmade its official debut with 2001'sAble-Legged Heroes. Albums like 2009'sA Brand New Hurt,2014'sSky Alive,and 2017'sNo Time Like the Presentfollowed. With drummer StephenNorton and guitarist Billy Moran rounding out the group's lineup, all four members sharedsongwriting duties, turning Louden Swain into a true collaboration. The guys embraced theirindependence, too, making music on their own terms while steadily becoming aninternationally-beloved band.Along the way, Benedict earned acclaim not only as a singer, but also as afilm and televisionactor. Both jobs showcased his work as a genuine storyteller, and Louden Swain's audienceexpanded as he made regular appearances on shows likeFelicityandSupernatural. LoudenSwain even became the house band atSupernaturalconventions across the country. "I used tothink that acting and singing in a band were two different things," Benedict admits, "but now Iknow they're not. They're part of the same melting pot. We'll play to 2,000 people at aSupernaturalconvention, and everyone will sing the lyrics back to us. Then we'll play a clubshow somewhere else, and those fans will travel from other countries to see us. Our fans areamazing, and we don't take any of this for granted."Gratitude and togetherness are major themes ofFeelings and Such. Louden Swain's previousalbum,Foolish, had been recorded during the height of the pandemic, whose restrictionsrequired the bandmates to individually record their instruments in isolation. "We wrote thesongs while apart and recorded our parts separately," explains Benedict, who also released asolo album during that quarantined period. "Once we could actually play together again, therewas so much joy and energy between us. You can hear that on the album. It feels very muchalive."Feelings and Suchwas largely recorded during an inspired weekend that found the bandmatesoccupying the same space once again, locking eyes with one another and exploring their newsongs together in real time. The electricity was palpable. "There's The Rub" and the anthemic"Crystal Ball" were rehearsed in a single day and recorded the following afternoon. The groove-

driven "Every Little Thing" evolved out of a casual jam. "Guilty One" — a roadhouse rock & rollanthem with a monster guitar riff— shone a light on the band's humor, with lyrics partiallyinspired by the band's detainment in an immigration jail cell during a European tour. Perhapsmost importantly, songs like "Bring It In" found Louden Swain distilling the challenges of themodern era into messages of hope and resilience."'Bring It In' is about me coming to terms with my divorce andfinding something positive aboutthe situation," says Benedict, who doubles as the band's lyricist. "It takes a look at everything Iexperienced — isolation, guilt, feeling alone — and ultimately embraces those feelings. It's asong about being in the moment. We always try tofind something hopeful in our music,especially the songs that are very vulnerable and open. We're always looking to makelemonade out of lemons."Now a quarter-century into a thriving career, Louden Swain's members continue to look on thebright side during moments of darkness and doubt.Feelings and Suchis a tribute to thattenacious spirit. Created in the wake of a global upheaval and personal struggle, it's acollection of optimistic rock & roll songs that reflect upon the past, take stock of the present,and focus on the future. And for Louden Swain, the future looks bright."It's a bit of a rebirth," Benedict adds. "In our lives, so many things ended at the same time.Supernaturalended. My marriage ended. We've been dealing with the loss of parents andpartners, and that can be a scary transition, but there's excitement to be found in the newunknown. Life carries on and youfind your next chapter. You never know what that nextchapter might bring, and that's the scary part... but it's also the exciting part."