We'll talk about the possibility of maybe doing a tour early next year.

Of course you always think you can get there, but I didn't really know if this might be a possibility at the beginning. But the kids, they got better every day.

We started off intending to do a four-song EP with Will, with the idea that they'd all be cover songs. We did four songs in four days, which is pretty much the quickest Tortoise has ever done anything. It was such a pleasant experience and so much fun, and the results were really great. So we thought we should do some more.

Our last album was kind of crammed full of melodies, and for whatever reason, we felt like every song we wrote for it, the natural thing was to try and put a melody on top to make it real concrete. We've kind of been shying away from that. A few things we've been working on, we've left them in a more open area where they could be flexible. They don't have to be so grounded in a strict melodic structure.

I'm just getting ready to play, the same as I always have. There's a possibility every week (of playing). I'm treating this week no differently than any other week ? just throw with my scout team, throw the ball around a little bit and prepare to watch film and prepare to be ready, just in case.

[ROGERS — A mobile home east of Rogers caught fire early Thursday morning, and authorities are now investigating the possibility of arson.] We are looking into it, ... There was something that did transpire out there.