One key to this new material was an ancient, warped piano that appeared in the hallway one day at Sally Mack’s School of Dance and which was subsequently muscled into the group’s studio. Though out of tune and missing teeth, this piano became the warhorse upon which Earley wrote and recorded much of Furr. The beast has gone away to the landfill now, but you can still hear the clacking and clattering of its rickety skeleton in songs like “Not Your Lover” and “Echo.”

Why did you choose to direct proceeds from this album to Sloan-Kettering?

Some friends of mine, Greg and Manal Vassallo, whose son Luca was diagnosed with AML leukemia, have spent a lot of time there and constantly sing its praises. The money will be donated both toward the research centers at the hospital and to the Joy fund which helps provide patients who are spending a lot of time in the pediatric center with all sorts of different activities, entertainment and help. Luca, Greg and Manal are all extremely strong, resilient, and loving people and I immediately thought of them when this whole thing was brought up. They suggested that we contact Sloan-Kettering.