“White Diamonds,” the album’s first single, is an impossibly infectious tune a delightful video for the song, as well as a clip for “Eleanor,” can be found online at his MySpace page or on Youtube. From the lovely opener “You Found Me” and laid-back “Days Like This” through the towering, ambient “Tall Trees,” “Wilderness” is a gorgeously breathtaking first record. The Deli caught Mease with his head out of the clouds long enough to discuss the creative process.

First off, who would you cite as being your major influences?

I would say The Beatles, old country music, Randy Newman, Bollywood, Ravel/Debussy, jazz, random 80's Music. As far as nonmusical influences, I would say Michel Gondry, Wes Anderson, Stanley Kubrick.

"Wilderness" was recorded in several different places…how does Texas compare to Brooklyn? Do you find that different locations draw different types of creativity out of you?

Everything in Texas is big, open, air conditioned, and everyone has a car. The pace is slower and more comfortable down there, and I think it's hard not to be influenced by that. That's not to say I don't appreciate the stimulating effect Brooklyn has on my music. I love writing and recording in different places because it keeps things fresh. The songwriting / recording routine can get pretty stale for me if I don't change everything up from time to time.

How much of a role have you played in the nonmusical presentation of your work, i.e. the videos for "White Diamonds" and "Eleanor"?

I usually have clear images in my mind when I write a song, and I tend to be a pretty visual person - so I try to help out as much as I can with the direction and ideas for my videos. I don't really do anything as far as the technical side is concerned. My girlfriend did most of the work on both "White Diamonds" and "Eleanor". It's cool to have someone to collaborate with who has such a strong visual sense, and who also knows my taste so well.

How would you describe the significance of the title "Wilderness"?

"Wilderness", for me, evokes images of wandering around out in some remote, mysterious place by yourself - not knowing what you might happen upon. The whole recording process felt a little like bushwhacking through the wilderness. I did lots of recording alone in my little apartment. At times I felt lost and out of my depth.

What's your recording process generally like? Have you discovered a preferred method, or do you enjoy the freedom of employing different approaches?

The process keeps changing as I learn more and more about what works best for me. For "Wilderness" I started many of the tracks at a nice studio down in Denton, TX called Echolab. I then brought the tracks back to Brooklyn and finished them off at home or at friend's small studios. A few of the tracks were done completely at home in my way-too-hot bedroom closet during the summer. I built most of the songs from the ground up, starting with bass and drums - usually adding vocals last. For the next one, I'd definitely like to do vocals/guitar first and go from there. I'd also like to track mostly on tape in the future.