Think Piece Publishing Signs Adam Levy for ‘Naubinway’

I’m thrilled to announce that Think Piece Publishing has signed Minneapolis music legend Adam Levy of the Honeydogs to a deal for his first-ever solo record, which will be called Naubinway and will come out in the spring. This is where I almost pass out. To me, Adam is Elvis Costello crossed with Ferris Bueller crossed with Thich Nhat Hanh. An intellectual rock star, a magnetic cool guy, a sharer of wisdom. It’s no exaggeration to say I’ve had Adam’s voice in my head most of my adult life. I was standing under a tent in Austin, TX, in 1996 when the Honeydogs played their way to a major record deal. I play “Those Things Are Hers” after break-ups. I turn to “Glee” while jogging. I could go on. I only wish the path to our collaboration didn’t come at such a cost for him. Think Piece is an effort to bring people together over things that are hard to talk about. Suicide is hard to talk about. Adam has experienced it, and, remarkably, doesn’t mind talking about it.

In 2013, he spoke with Kevin Featherly for a four-part documentary for us about the 2012 suicide of his son Daniel, and the grief that he has been managing ever since. He was breathtaking in it. Seriously, you should watch it. But trust me on this, he’s even more impressive in person.

Evidence: a couple months ago I went to a mental health conference where Adam was scheduled to speak to people who have endured a suicide. The attendees poured out their hearts to Adam, and he accepted their stories and gave them context and skills in terms of what has worked for him. I was standing in the back of the room and the transformation in these folks was palpable. I mean it was visual. I’d never seen anything quite like it. They were unburdened and lined up to take selfies with Adam.

Afterward we grabbed coffee. I asked him what he has coming up. He mentioned a Bunny Clogs album (awesome), a Honeydogs record in the works (imagine me starting to hyperventilate), a batch of introspective songs for a solo record paired with a mental health panel tour.

Wait, what?

Turns out Adam spent much of 2014 examining his still very present grief and writing songs. He told me they were nearly done and he was looking for a label to help get them out to the right audience.

Well come on. I might not know a lot of things but I know what Think Piece is for. Think Piece is for this. It all came together pretty quickly after that.

And friends, I’ve heard the album. The songs are amazing. They’re raw, lyrical, melodic, mostly acoustic, and yes, at times, painful, but in a beautiful and healing way. I can’t wait for you to hear them.

Adam’s finishing up the music and I’m talking to possible partners for the shows, which will feature characteristics of the events Adam has moderated with other musicians in town on mental illness. Many details to come.

For now, I just want to say thank you to Adam and his friends and family for sharing this story with me. This is quite a thing you’re doing. Thank you. And I got your back.

— Adam Wahlberg