Hutch Harris and Kathy Foster, the two core members of The Thermals, have been through a lot together.  Four albums, a few different studio and touring line-ups, a failed relationship, and two high-profile indie labels - just to name a few of the challenges.  As the saying goes, what hasn't killed them, has only made them stronger.  Their third album, The Body, The Blood, The Machine, seemed to be an ascension point for this Portland, Oregon-based band, gaining the most national notoriety of any of their previous releases.  The songs from this religiously and politically charged album, produced by Brendan Canty of Fugazi, warn the listener of a path of religious zealotry and tyranny that the band obviously sees the United States flirting with.

After leaving Sub Pop Records, the band's most recent album, Now We Can See, was released this past April through new label, Kill Rock Stars.  This fourth album is being billed as a re-introduction or re-birth for the band, but behind all the sweet melodies, catchy hooks and sing-a-long choruses, it carries many of the same explorations of life, death, religion and politics.  Now We Can See was produced by John Congleton (Explosions In The Sky, Polyphonic Spree).

Here within this session, presented by Esurance, are two acoustic versions of songs from Now We Can See...

MP3 Session Downloads : 

The Thermals - Now We Can See
The Thermals - We Were Sick 

Recorded and Mixed by Jeff DuPont
Filmed and Edited by Doug Fellegy, Michelle Castillo, and Joe Wallace
Words by Dodge
Special thanks to The Monolith Music Festival