D.C. DIY Vets Paperhaus Premiere 'Go Cozy' From Upcoming New Album

The new project also takes Paperhaus down some less-traversed paths. Aside from the energy of new bandmates, “The album took on more focus on sound and timbre in the songwriting, rather than on melody and rhythm, as the primary driving musical force,” Tebeleff says. “There was a huge amount of different kinds of music we listened to, to inform that process… especially albums that create a sonic world of their own like D'Angelo's Black Messiah, Can's Future Days and Talking Heads’ Remain In Light.”

And it’s a coming of age of sorts, marking the first time the band is releasing with a label. Pittsburgh-based indie Misra is distributed by Redeye Worldwide, with licensing handled by Sub Pop. The move is a testament to the community vibe the band reveres, and a dose of reality that’s come knocking after 11 years of Paperhaus doing its own thing.

“There's often a stigma in talking about the business end of music among more art-focused musicians. I think that's been to the massive detriment of artists, though it's understandable considering how painful the process is for most musicians who are devoted to making art and trying to navigate something resembling a sustainable path,” Tebeleff opines.

“Getting industry teammates is important if you want a path towards real sustainability in music in 2017,” he says. “We prefer the spirit of DIT -- Do It Together -- rather than DIY. The spirit of building good relationships and good community is what is most important to us.”