Courting Controversy

Having had vast experience touring for their old projects, the band members geared up to record and hit the road again. In the summer of 2005 they, along with Nunez's friend Dan Escauriza, hastily recorded their second effort at Miami Dade College facilities. Pabon explains, "We recorded those ten songs live, almost in one take. The next day was mixing, and the next day we took it to the pressing plant.... We were slimy all the time."

Fall 2006 finds the Southernaires remarkably intact, with Castello having graduated and all members living in Miami, except for Johnston, whose family moved to Mims in Brevard County, and who returns weekly for rehearsals and gigs. With Escauriza they re-entered the studio and spent a great deal of time getting the correct sounds they wanted, instead of rushing through the process as they had the past two times. "Dan is brilliant. Every instrument on this album is gorgeous. We used a $200,000 grand piano and real Fender Rhodes," gushes Rubiera. The recording is finished and is currently being mixed. The new album features duets with WVUM-FM DJ Katrina Mena, who guests on the track "Pa's Reform School Baptist Hymnal Choir," and chanteuse Anna Perlmutter, formerly of Stone Soup and Stitchcraft, who shines on a version of "Secret Pain."

The band already has new material ready to go. "We have been listening to a lot of tropicália," explains Hann.

"What we are writing now sounds like Abba. It's dance music," adds Castello.

"We have worked so hard at this point I would rather be nailed to a cross. If we don't make it, I would rather die," says Rubiera.