Friends And Other Necessities is the debut LP from multi-talented Swatkins (Steve Watkins), longtime collaborator with Allen Stone, Scary Pockets, and many others. For this record, Swatkins called upon his formidable network of musical peers, assembling a collection of songs that celebrate the sorely-needed spirit of collaborative joy. Recorded in live, unflinching one-take rhythm sessions in New Orleans, and then lushly orchestrated in west coast studios, this album represents the culmination of a journey that has seen Swatkins on the road and playing in front of live audiences for over a decade. After March 2020, with his livelihood stripped away and cut off from the spiritual buoyancy of the stage, this project sustained the artist, not the other way around. Acting as producer, songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, Swatkins also enlisted the talents of Allen Stone, Antwaun Stanley (Vulfpeck), Eric Krasno, Raquel Rodriguez, and Moorea Masa, as well as members of Lettuce, Dumpstaphunk, Ghost-Note and more. The record is deeply soulful and surprisingly funky, without conforming to the rigidity of those genres' designations. Each track is its own multifaceted gem, revealing new intricate beauties with each turn. It feels familiar and comforting from the first listen, but invites repeat introspective deep-dives with headphones or turned up nice and loud on good speakers amongst friends with a favorite beverage close at hand. With Friends And Other Necessities, Swatkins undertakes the herculean task of spreading genuine happiness during a time of profound darkness… and knows he can’t do it alone. We all need friends if we’re going to make it through.