Nighttiming
Nighttiming is the debut studio album by Coconut Records, the indie pop solo project of American actor and musician Jason Schwartzman. Released on March 20, 2007, by Young Baby Records, the album features 12 tracks primarily written, performed, and produced by Schwartzman with assistance from Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger.[1][2][3] The record was recorded over a few weeks in August 2006 at Einziger's home studio, Casa Chica, in Malibu, California, where Schwartzman played most instruments including guitar, drums, piano, and ukulele.[4][3] Einziger handled production and recording, contributing to the album's polished yet intimate sound that draws from 1960s pop influences like The Beatles and Beach Boys, blended with modern indie sensibilities.[4][5] Nighttiming received generally positive reviews upon release, praised for its catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and Schwartzman's versatile musicianship, though some critics noted its occasionally lightweight themes.[5][6] Standout tracks include "West Coast" and the title song "Nighttiming," which exemplify the album's breezy, nostalgic vibe.[1] The album marked Schwartzman's transition from acting—known for roles in films like Rushmore and The Darjeeling Limited—to a more prominent music career, establishing Coconut Records as a vehicle for his songwriting.[5]Background
Formation of Coconut Records
Jason Schwartzman began his music career as the drummer for the Los Angeles-based rock band Phantom Planet, which he co-founded in 1994 and with which he performed for nearly a decade.[7][8] The band gained prominence with their 2002 single "California," which became the theme song for the television series The O.C.. Schwartzman left Phantom Planet in 2003 following an extensive tour, seeking to shift his focus away from the demands of band life and touring.[7][9] Parallel to his musical pursuits, Schwartzman established himself as an actor, debuting in Wes Anderson's Rushmore (1998) at age 18, where he played the lead role of Max Fischer.[9][10] His film career continued to flourish, with notable roles in Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited (2007), alongside co-stars Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody, as well as appearances in films like I Heart Huckabees (2004) and Marie Antoinette (2006).[9][10] These projects often highlighted his knack for portraying eccentric, introspective characters, drawing on his family connections in the film industry as the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and son of actress Talia Shire.[9] After departing Phantom Planet, Schwartzman's initial motivation for pursuing music independently stemmed from a personal drive to hone his songwriting and guitar skills without the collaborative structure of a band.[9] He began composing and recording songs privately while immersed in acting, viewing music as a therapeutic outlet rather than a public endeavor at first.[9] This shift allowed him to experiment freely, unburdened by group dynamics or performance schedules. In 2006, three years after leaving his band, Schwartzman launched Coconut Records as a solo project, providing a dedicated platform to explore his songwriting in a more liberated format.[11] The endeavor marked his return to music on his own terms, culminating in the release of the debut album Nighttiming the following year.[11]Songwriting and inspiration
Jason Schwartzman composed all twelve tracks on Nighttiming entirely on his own, handling the songwriting process as a deeply personal endeavor. Drawing from his intimate experiences, the album's lyrics reflect themes rooted in personal relationships and the nuances of everyday life, capturing moments of emotional vulnerability and introspection.[12] The title track "Nighttiming" explores relational tensions through the lens of nocturnal habits and self-destructive behaviors in a partnership, evoking a sense of weariness from unbalanced dynamics. In contrast, "West Coast" channels Schwartzman's connection to the California lifestyle, portraying a wistful return to familiar coastal landscapes amid feelings of displacement and nostalgia. Tracks like "This Old Machine" further incorporate nostalgic elements, using metaphorical imagery to reminisce on enduring personal bonds and the passage of time, infusing the album with a reflective warmth.[6][13][14] Schwartzman began developing the songs by recording initial demos at home using a simple setup, often just his voice accompanied by basic instrumentation like ukulele or guitar, before expanding them into full productions. This solitary approach allowed for raw, unfiltered expressions that stemmed from spontaneous creative sessions, including a prolific period where he penned multiple songs in quick succession following encouragement from a close friend.[15]Recording and production
Studio sessions
The recording sessions for Nighttiming took place over the course of August 2006 at Casa Chica, the home studio of Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger in Malibu, California.[5][16] These sessions spanned approximately eight days, allowing for a rapid completion of the album's tracks.[17] Jason Schwartzman managed most of the multi-tracking during this period, performing the majority of instruments himself in an experimental approach to the recording process.[17][18] The constrained timeline, influenced by Schwartzman's concurrent acting commitments, resulted in highly focused and efficient work, enabling the project to wrap up swiftly without prior plans for a full album release.[17]Production team and techniques
The production of Nighttiming was spearheaded by Mike Einziger, guitarist of Incubus, who served as the primary producer and recording engineer, with co-production credits going to Woodrow Wilson Jackson III.[19][20] Einziger's involvement brought a polished yet organic approach, drawing from his experience in rock production while adapting to Schwartzman's indie sensibilities.[21] Recording techniques emphasized live instrumentation to achieve a lo-fi pop aesthetic, prioritizing raw, intimate performances over heavy processing to evoke warmth and immediacy.[22] String arrangements, adding textural depth to several tracks, were composed and arranged by Syd Goldstein at Fools Goldstein Records.[20] In post-production, mixing occurred at the same Malibu studio where the bulk of the album was tracked, ensuring continuity in the sonic vision, while mastering was tailored for both initial digital download release and subsequent CD formats.[20][16]Musical style
Genre and influences
Nighttiming is primarily classified as indie pop and pop rock, incorporating elements of lo-fi production and chamber pop arrangements that contribute to its intimate, textured sound.[23][5][1] The album draws significant influences from 1960s and 1970s pop acts such as the Beach Boys and the Beatles, evident in its melodic hooks and harmonious structures, while also echoing modern indie contemporaries like The Shins.[24][14] Jason Schwartzman's background as the drummer for Phantom Planet infuses the record with a rhythmic drive that underpins its energetic pop framework.[25] At 33:24 in length for the standard edition, Nighttiming maintains a concise structure that enhances its accessibility as a pop album, allowing each track to contribute efficiently to the overall flow without unnecessary extension.[2]Instrumentation and arrangements
Jason Schwartzman handled vocals, guitar, drums, and keyboards on the majority of tracks for Nighttiming, demonstrating his proficiency as a multi-instrumentalist throughout the album.[3] For instance, the track "Summer Day" centers on a straightforward acoustic guitar progression, providing a gentle, lilting foundation that underscores its summery vibe.[26] Similarly, Schwartzman's drumming and keyboard work drive the rhythmic pulse in several songs, contributing to the album's intimate, DIY aesthetic. The arrangements on Nighttiming predominantly follow simple verse-chorus structures, emphasizing Schwartzman's songwriting economy with minimalistic builds.[27] Occasional string elements add emotional depth, such as the violin layered into "West Coast," which enhances its reflective tone.[20] Other tracks incorporate unique textures like pedal steel guitar on "Slowly" and whistling accents, creating subtle variations within the indie pop framework.[20] Song variations highlight the album's range, from the upbeat, catchy pop energy of "Back to You" to the more melancholic, anthem-like introspection of "West Coast."[6] Guest contributions, including violin by Jennifer Furches on multiple tracks, provide sparse but effective enhancements without overshadowing the core sound.[20]Release
Release details and label
Nighttiming was released on March 20, 2007, initially as a digital download available through platforms such as iTunes.[2][28] The album marked the debut release for Coconut Records, the solo project of actor and musician Jason Schwartzman.[5] The record was issued under Young Baby Records, Schwartzman's independent imprint label, which handled its distribution under the catalog number YBR-001.[20] This self-managed approach allowed for direct control over the project's rollout.[1] Promotion emphasized a digital-first strategy, with tracks debuting on MySpace prior to their iTunes availability, enabling rapid access for indie music listeners.[29]Formats and special editions
Nighttiming was initially released as a digital download featuring the standard 12 tracks.[30] The CD edition, released on October 30, 2007, includes these 12 tracks along with 14 unlisted bonus tracks consisting of alternate versions and clips of the main songs, such as a 0:46 alternate clip of "This Old Machine" and a 0:40 alternate clip of "West Coast."[20][28] A limited picture disc vinyl edition, pressed in 2006, presents the 12 standard tracks across two sides in a gatefold sleeve with embossed lettering.[31] Early pressings of the CD came bundled with Polaroid photographs taken by Jason Schwartzman, adding a personal touch from the album's creator.[20] Once these Polaroids were depleted, subsequent CD copies included double-sided posters featuring a Polaroid image of Schwartzman, maintaining the intimate, DIY aesthetic.[20] The full CD with bonuses has a total runtime of 55:02, extending the listening experience beyond the core album.[1] A Japanese enhanced CD edition from 2008 adds further digital content but retains the standard track structure with bonuses.[32]Track listing
Standard edition tracks
The standard edition of Nighttiming, the 2007 debut album by Coconut Records, comprises 12 tracks recorded primarily by Jason Schwartzman with production by Mike Einziger.[3][2]| No. | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "This Old Machine" | 1:58 |
| 2 | "West Coast" | 3:30 |
| 3 | "Back to You" | 4:37 |
| 4 | "Summer Day" | 2:05 |
| 5 | "Nighttiming" | 2:48 |
| 6 | "Minding My Own Business" | 2:17 |
| 7 | "Slowly" | 4:01 |
| 8 | "Mama" | 1:32 |
| 9 | "The Thanks I Get" | 2:22 |
| 10 | "It's Not You It's Me" | 2:40 |
| 11 | "Easy Girl" | 2:15 |
| 12 | "Ask Her to Dance" | 2:50 |
Bonus tracks and alternates
The physical CD edition of Nighttiming by Coconut Records includes 14 unlisted bonus tracks, consisting of alternate clips and versions of songs from the standard album.[20] These tracks are not featured on the standard digital release, which contains only the 12 main songs.[2] Positioned as tracks 13 through 26 on the CD, the bonus material begins with 58 seconds of silence on track 13, followed by shorter alternate takes that offer variations on the original recordings.[20] This unlisted placement helps preserve the album's intended flow for listeners who skip the extras, while providing exclusive content for those who explore the full disc.[20] The bonus tracks are absent from vinyl pressings and digital platforms, making the CD the primary format for accessing them.[3] The following table details the bonus tracks:| Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | (no audio) | 0:58 |
| 14 | This Old Machine (Alternate Clip) | 0:46 |
| 15 | West Coast (Alternate Clip) | 0:40 |
| 16 | Back To You (Part 1) (Alternate Version) | 2:10 |
| 17 | Back To You (Part 2) (Alternate Version) | 1:07 |
| 18 | Summer Day (Alternate Version) | 1:48 |
| 19 | Nighttiming (Alternate Clip) | 1:10 |
| 20 | Minding My Own Business (Alternate Version) | 3:15 |
| 21 | Slowly (Part 1) (Alternate Version) | 2:54 |
| 22 | The Thanks I Get (Alternate Version) | 2:16 |
| 23 | Slowly (Part 2) (Alternate Version) | 0:44 |
| 24 | It’s Not You It’s Me (Alternate Version) | 1:35 |
| 25 | Easy Girl (Alternate Version) | 1:48 |
| 26 | Ask Her To Dance (Alternate Version) | 1:06 |