New Times: "Blue Eyes" became one of the breakout hits of the Garden State soundtrack. Why didn't you follow up its success by immediately releasing an LP?
Cary Brothers: I wasn't ready, to be really honest mentally and in a lot of other ways. I knew I didn't want to put a record out just because I could sell some because of Garden State. I didn't have the money at the time, either, so I knew I couldn't go into the studio to make the record I really wanted to make. Another thing that was important to me was getting on the road and touring. I've been touring pretty much nonstop for three years now. That was really important to me, to make sure the live show would be up to the record and vice versa.
NT: You also remained independent after Garden State. Why?
Brothers: Labels wanted me to make another record of "Blue Eyes," and that was never what I wanted to do. I love that song, but it's not representative of everything I do. I knew if I put a record out at the time, I would've had to do "Blue Eyes" all the time, maybe even a "Blue Eyes" remix.
NT: Where do you get your independent streak?
Brothers: I'm not so good with authority. I've been working in this industry awhile, and I've seen enough dumb people do stupid things in my name. Finally, I had to step up and do it all myself. You don't get multiple chances at doing something like this.
NT: You've finally signed with a label, but a small one: Bluhammock Records.
Brothers: It's the first time I don't have that kind of control anymore and I'm slowly letting it go. If I didn't have other people doing some of this stuff, my brain would have exploded by now.