To make his debut record as Brook Terrace a reality, Zachary Vito quit a job and used unpaid vacation days to buy a plane ticket to England. He found himself in the small seaside town of West Kirby, delicately breathing life into already beautiful songs alongside producer and songwriter Bill Ryder-Jones. The result of those sessions is the undeniably warm and honest record, Brook Terrace, which was mastered by Heba Kadry (of Cate Le Bon and Hand Habits fame).

Vito’s been in the world of making music for years. This just happens to be his first time recording as Brook Terrace. In the years leading up to this record, Vito lived in San Francisco and helmed the band Union Pacific, played in Sonny and the Sunsets, and lent his talents to local bands like Blades of Joy and April Magazine.

He recorded a song with Melina Duerte of Jay Som, and he separately started to work on the scaffolding for his debut. During this period of time, Vito discovered the music of Ryder-Jones. The British musician’s 2016 album, West Kirby County Primary, served as a soundtrack to Vito’s life and ever evolving musical endeavors.

So when Ryder Jones posted on Instagram announcing he’d opened a home studio, Vito took a chance and sent some demos. Ryder-Jones was captivated. Before he knew it, Vito was flying across the ocean for a week of deeply transformative and memorable recording sessions.

The two collaborated closely on all aspects of the record. “By the end of the first day, we had basic tracks for 5 songs completed. I’ll never forget when he offered to try recording a vocal harmony; it was surreal,” says Vito of the process. “The songs made absolute sense in that they couldn’t be changed because they’re very unique,” Ryder-Jones says on working with Vito.

What ended up transpiring from the time the two spent together is a record that gorgeously brings out the intricacies of Vito’s abilities as a lyricist and songwriter. Take a song like “Same Difference,” where Vito asks the listener “where are you in this moment?” over lush piano and introspective guitars. The song is welcoming in both sound and lyrics. There are notes of bands like The Velvet Underground and Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci peeking out of the cracks. The same is true of the rest of the record.

Vito has already started to gain momentum. He’s had his work written about in Phluff, Small Albums and Austin Town Hall. At the end of the day, Brook Terrace has a truly earnest goal “I wanted these songs to come from a relatable place for listeners - knowing that I’m someone working a 9-5 job writing songs out of necessity.” Vito’s honesty and need to make music is written all over this record. You’ll be glad you spent time with it -- Sophie Kemp