Roger Lion

Though their backgrounds appeared worlds apart, singer-songwriter Joe Pernice and producer-multi-instrumentalist Budo discovered unexpected creative rapport in the Roger Lion venture. Pernice, long recognized for his contributions to the Pernice Brothers and the Scud Mountain Boys, joined forces with Budo (Josh Karp), whose prior production credits include Macklemore, Grieves, and M.anifest. The partnership originated when Budo contacted Pernice about remixing an early Scud Mountain Boys recording; Pernice initially dismissed the overture as a hoax. After confirming Budo’s legitimacy and immersing himself in the solo album The Finger & the Moon, however, he became an admirer. The pair then exchanged files remotely to develop new songs, finishing their first Roger Lion album without any in-person meetings. Team Love Records issued the completed project in September 2015.