In the winter of 2022, Fuzzysurf made the deliberate decision to hold their last live show for a while. The fatigue from years of juggling an intense schedule of performances, rehearsals, songwriting, recording, filming, work commitments, and family life was starting to set in. They needed a break, and the snow and cold of the winter seemed a suitable time for a band that was ready to hibernate.

However, come spring, singer/guitarist Sean Lehner felt the creative itch return. With no specific expectations or pressures, he began writing again. Over the next six months, Sean crafted and demoed an impressive 22 new songs. When he presented these songs to the band, it was clear that they marked a departure from their previous work. The structures and styles varied widely. The instrumentation expanded. The lyrics were more reflective. These songs threw everything at the wall. But the question the band had was how would some many seemingly disparate pieces all fit together?

That’s where “Chameleons” comes in. The inspirational lizard, able to change appearance when its surroundings necessitated, provided the band with a clear direction and vision for their project. The band would become the Chameleon and adapt. They decided to undertake a double album, an ambitious endeavor that held the potential for both significant risks and rewards.

For 18 days in September 2023, the band moved into Howl Street Recording studio, operated by Milwaukee legend and audio engineer Shane Hochstetler. The band had previously worked with Shane on their album "Sweet Tooth" and various other Fuzzysurf and related side projects. Using the original demos as blueprints, the band meticulously tracked the songs in layers. Each member took on additional duties beyond their usual instruments, incorporating a wide array of sounds including mandolin, banjo, accordion, timpani, glockenspiel, harmonica, lap steel, cajon, typewriter, and various other percussive elements. Band members Corey and Sean even played trombone and trumpet on several tracks. To further enhance their sound, the band invited a few guest musicians, including the Tontine String Ensemble, to record arrangements written by the band.

The recording sessions were long and challenging, pushing the band to their creative and technical limits. Each day was an adventure, filled with navigation, planning, troubleshooting, and experimenting with sounds and tones to achieve the perfect performance. Despite the challenges, the sessions proved to be a successful experiment, resulting in a rich and diverse collection of tracks. By the end of September, the recording for "Chameleons" was complete with 20 of the 22 songs making the cut. Shane Hochstetler began mixing the album in early winter of 2024, with mastering by longtime collaborator Carl Saff to follow shortly thereafter. Fuzzysurf’s journey to record "Chameleons" is a testament to their dedication, creativity, and willingness to push boundaries. As they prepare to share their ambitious double album with the world, the band looks forward to the next chapter in their musical evolution.