Aside from a few one-off shows here and there, Soul Asylum have been basically on hiatus in recent years, leaving Pirner to explore his solo leanings. A move to New Orleans prompted the singer/songwriter to check into the studio and start recording.

“Moving to New Orleans and listening to the local players really changed how I think about music,” he said. “It had a huge impact on me.”

Shortly after relocating, Pirner stumbled upon Kingsway studio, which was in the process of closing. “So there I was in New Orleans going, ‘What the hell. All the gear’s here, all these engineers are sitting around with nothing to do – let’s roll some tape!'”

The result is Pirner’s debut solo album, Faces And Names, which will be released July 30. With guest artists like soul legend Billy Preston and Americana artist Chris Whitley onboard, the album is more than a chance studio happening.

For Soul Asylum fans fearing the worst, rest assured; the band is still very much together and actually have plans to release their next album in the spring of 2003.