A Day in the Life of Janna Breslin: Balancing Fitness, Homesteading, and Global Projects

Janna Breslin is a force to be reckoned with—a woman on a mission to change the world for the better. As a 10x cover model, CrossFit athlete, podcast host, serial entrepreneur, eco-warrior, and bio-optimization crusader, Janna’s multifaceted career embodies her relentless drive fueled by passion and purpose. With her hit TV show, Modern Homestead, which she co-hosts with her husband, Evan DeMarco, Janna is redefining what it means to live off the grid and embrace a sustainable lifestyle.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg for this remarkable woman. Just being in the same room, you get the sense that she is a force to be reckoned with, that there is this eternal well of energy from which she draws on to drive forward in her quest, a quest that has her involved in some rather unique and seemingly disparate endeavors.

On the surface, a paint and exterior coating manufacturer in Spain, where she also sources her olive oil from unique orchards utilizing an agricultural technology that she and her husband brought to the US, a roofing company in New Mexico, an atmospheric water generation company, and a design firm that creates food security systems, might seem as unrelated as Earth and Pluto. However, listening to Janna talk, it becomes clear that she has built an empire of interconnected companies that serve a common goal: steering us away from a bleak future and towards a sustainable, thriving world. This goal drives Janna’s days, which no two seem to be alike.

Janna splits her time between Sacramento, where Evan’s daughter from a previous marriage lives, and their farm in Tennessee. The frequent travel between these locations, compounded by the lack of direct flights, would be overwhelming for most. Yet, with manufacturing divisions in Spain and Florida, a new ranch in New Mexico, and large terraforming projects worldwide, Janna seems to spend more time in planes than on the ground.

Morning Routine: A Calm Start

Janna’s day begins with the simple act of rehydrating with coconut water. This initial step is followed by a cherished ritual of coffee, reading, and journaling. This morning routine sets the tone for her day, providing a calm and centered start. “For so long, I thought I had to roll out of bed early and get right to work. But by protecting my mornings, giving myself the chance to wake up calmly and naturally, I am so much more productive,” she says.

Her journaling practice includes setting intentions for the day, reflecting on her goals which are driven by strategy and tactics, and planning her schedule. It’s a time of mindfulness that keeps her grounded amidst the chaos of her busy life.

“My goals are an extension of my passion and purpose, something I reevaluate every 6 months with Evan. The goals then lead into an overall strategy which is broken down into the daily tactics. It’s a constant state of evaluating activities against their desired outcome and finding the small corrections that lead to success.”

The final step before beginning her workday involves reviewing her strategy and tactics for the day and mentally preparing herself, regardless of where in the world she is at.

Managing Multiple Homes and Projects

Janna’s lifestyle is far from ordinary, as she balances time between Sacramento and their Tennessee farm. Each location has its unique demands, from family responsibilities in Sacramento to filming and homesteading tasks in Tennessee. This balance is further complicated by her involvement in global projects, including manufacturing divisions in Spain and Florida, a new ranch in New Mexico, and various large-scale terraforming projects.

To manage this complexity, Janna shares her meticulously color-coded calendar, which categorizes specific activities and businesses she is working on. She explains that she uses time blocks to accomplish certain tasks, such as content editing and review, filming, gym sessions, and meal times. Specific meetings are scheduled for short periods, usually no more than 30 minutes. “I definitely have a little ADHD and any meeting that lasts more than 30 minutes will have me lost and frustrated,” she admits. “Evan and I really try and minimize the meeting just to have a meeting approach to running a company,” Janna explains, stating that company meetings are about getting alignment and creating action moving forward.

Despite their efforts to streamline, there is very little consistency in her calendar, a reality Janna has had to come to terms with. The unpredictable nature of her schedule, compounded by frequent travel and the demands of her numerous ventures, means that adaptability and flexibility are key. This dynamic approach allows Janna to stay on top of her responsibilities and maintain productivity across various locations and projects.

Life on the Farm: Challenges and Innovations

After buying their 120 acres of paradise in Tennessee, Janna and Evan quickly discovered that paradise wasn’t quite what they had hoped. The first night in their new cabin, Janna woke up with a brown recluse spider in her hair, only to later find out that the whole cabin was infested with them. The exterminator who came out to deal with the spiders discovered a termite infestation which, upon examination, revealed that the entire back of the cabin was destroyed. Then it was black mold, followed by the ponds drying up. “It was one hit after another. We would wake up in the morning at the hotel or rental house, since we couldn’t stay on the farm, and ask what could go wrong today,” Janna recalls. The seemingly endless challenges tested their resolve, and Janna admits that there were moments he felt like throwing in the towel.

But, after getting through the first season of their show, Janna and Evan have redoubled their efforts to make their farm a true home. This includes the introduction of an atmospheric water generator, a company they are invested in, to feed their domes, which serve as both living quarters and greenhouses. “The technology that we have brought to the farm has completely changed how I look at homesteading. It’s always going to be work, something I love as it keeps me outside and moving, but it also brings unique attributes that make the process more enjoyable,” Janna explains. With these innovations, they are transforming their property into a sustainable, self-sufficient haven that not only meets their needs but also sets an example for modern homesteading.

Fitness and Nutrition: Lifting Heavy and Eating Well

A cornerstone of Janna’s life is her commitment to fitness and nutrition. Her workout philosophy centers around lifting heavy. After years of bodybuilding and meticulously counting every calorie and macro, she fell in love with the freedom that CrossFit provided. “I worked out hard, ate whatever I wanted, and looked and felt my best,” she recalls. Although Janna no longer does CrossFit, she incorporates much of what she learned into her daily fitness routine. This includes lifting heavy weights, focusing on compound movements, stretching, and walking as much as possible.

Janna follows a carnivore-ish diet she calls The Regenerative Diet. “Straight carnivore doesn’t work for me, but I do thrive on heavy animal protein with natural carbohydrates like fruit,” she explains. This diet supports her active lifestyle, providing the necessary nutrients to maintain her energy levels and overall health. In her mid-20s, Janna was diagnosed with cervical cancer, a life-altering event she attributes to the stress of bodybuilding and a toxic marriage. “A naturopathic doctor told me that I would never eat beef again as long as I lived, so imagine my surprise when I started eating it and then started thriving on it,” she recalls. This experience has shaped her approach to nutrition and health, making her a strong advocate for listening to one’s body and finding a personalized diet that works. “It’s not complicated,” she says. “Stay away from processed food and seed oils, eat healthy regenerative meat and fruit, get outside and move and the rest is pretty simple.”

Building the Outsiders Community

Beyond her personal health and professional endeavors, Janna is passionate about building a community. Her followers, known as Outsiders, are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new challenges. “I started telling people on Instagram to get the fuck outside, not just outside of the house but outside of your comfort zone. It stuck, and all of a sudden, I had this incredible group of Outsiders following along on my journey.”

This community has grown organically, driven by Janna’s authentic and unfiltered approach. She shares her successes and struggles, offering a relatable and inspiring presence online, often a stark contrast to other social media personalities. The Outsiders community is more than just followers; they are a support network that embodies the values of courage, exploration, and resilience.

The Exclusive Site: Freedom of Expression

In 2022, Janna started an OnlyFans account. Janna’s decision to launch an exclusive site stemmed from her desire for freedom in her messaging. She faced numerous challenges with social media platforms, where posts were frequently banned without clear justification. “There was no logic to what would get banned and what wouldn’t. I wanted the freedom to express myself without someone telling me what I could and could not say, or could and could not wear,” she explains.

This move, however, has not been without its challenges. The stigma surrounding exclusive content sites like OnlyFans has caused issues in both business and personal relationships. Despite these hurdles, Janna saw the opportunity to create content without the ambiguous restrictions of other social platforms. OnlyFans has also allowed her to monetize her content in a way that other social platforms don’t. “More and more creators are joining exclusive platforms to capitalize on the follower base they have built. I speak to creators all the time asking about it and I highly encourage it, but also caution that there are risks and landmines to avoid.”

One significant challenge with platforms like OnlyFans is the expectation of escalation, where audiences, influenced by the platform’s stigma, expect increasingly provocative content. To combat this, Janna ensures that all content is approved by her team as part of a strategic plan to prevent escalation. “When the conversation about OnlyFans first came up, Evan and I wrote out a business plan and a detailed list of what would and would not happen. That is the playbook from which all content is created, and it has worked,” Janna states. This meticulous approach has allowed Janna to maintain control over her content and avoid escalation while becoming one of the top creators on the platform. Despite the initial controversy, Janna’s success on OnlyFans has proven that it is possible to navigate the platform’s challenges while staying true to one’s principles and maintaining professional integrity.

Janna schedules content shoots for OnlyFans meticulously, almost all of which are shot on location around the world, allowing her to showcase her love of travel to exotic places. “We travel to some amazing places, work with incredible photographers who get to capture images of me in nature and then share that art with my audience,” Janna says. “Getting to run around naked in a forest like a fairy, getting beautiful images is a dream come true. I just have to remember to bring the bug spray,” she adds with a laugh. This unique approach not only keeps her content fresh and exciting but also allows her to blend her passions for travel, nature, and art.

Prioritizing Connection

People often assume that because Evan and Janna work together, they are always joined at the hip. However, when they are on set for their show, it’s all about work. The crew is there, they are busy working on the property, getting shots, and ensuring that the show is successful. Even though their playful and loving relationship shines through on the show, the speed at which they work doesn’t leave much time for deep connection.

To counteract this, Janna and Evan prioritize date nights every week where discussing work is off-limits. “In the beginning, it was really hard. There were these long pauses in the conversation where we simply didn’t know what to say. It’s so much easier now and something we both look forward to, the ability to talk and connect without the burden of work,” Janna explains. These date nights allow them to reconnect on a personal level and maintain a strong relationship outside of their professional lives.

One key element that drives these conversations is their bi-annual goals trip. Janna explains that every six months, they take a short non-work trip to focus on their goals—both individually and as a couple. These goals are kept front of mind as they meet weekly to discuss progress. “Having someone prioritize my goals, my wants and desires, and then hold me accountable to those has been incredible. Don’t get me wrong, it takes some getting used to, but it is a game changer for relationships,” Janna says. Rather than spending their free time on passive activities like watching Netflix, they use it to stay connected, build intimacy and support each other’s aspirations.

Making a Difference: The Mission of Modern Homestead

At the heart of Janna’s endeavors is a mission to make the world a better place. Through Modern Homestead Industries, she and Evan aim to teach people how to live sustainably and provide them with the tools to do so. Modern Homestead Industries has multiple divisions with hundreds of employees in all parts of the globe. The convergence of these diverse operations supports both the company’s mission and Janna’s personal mission of promoting sustainable living and wellness.

While Janna is intimately involved in every facet of the business, one aspect she maintains strict control over is the tallow side of the business. She explains that her nose-to-tail approach to dieting also includes whole animal utilization. From this, Janna learned the value of tallow as a skincare product and began making it for herself. This quickly led to Modern Homestead producing and selling tallow skincare products. Janna continues to work on the production side, focusing on product development, manufacturing, and quality control.

“Being in the lab, making tallow is an incredible mental break for me. I can put on some music, roll up my sleeves, and just produce. There is something very cathartic and freeing about creating a product from scratch that people have fallen in love with,” Janna shares. This hands-on involvement not only ensures the high quality of their products but also allows Janna to stay connected to the fundamental aspects of their mission.

The various divisions of Modern Homestead, from a paint and exterior coating manufacturer in Spain to a roofing company in New Mexico, an atmospheric water generation company, and a design firm that builds food security systems, might seem disparate at first glance. However, they are all intricately connected by a common goal: to create sustainable solutions and promote a healthier, more self-sufficient way of living. This multifaceted approach allows Janna and Evan to address different aspects of sustainability and wellness, making a comprehensive impact on both the environment and their community.

Bedtime Routine: Prioritizing Rest and Connection

When in Sacramento, Janna and Evan make sure to enjoy dinner around the table with Evan’s daughter. They love to play board games like Rummikub and Life, fostering both fun and connection. Janna is particularly inspired by the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” This quote drives their nighttime conversations, encouraging thoughtful discussions that stimulate the mind and bring the family closer together.

After dinner, they take a mile-long walk, a habit Janna learned from her Mom. Janna firmly believes that many of the country’s health problems could be alleviated by simply walking after the evening meal. This nightly walk not only aids digestion but also provides an opportunity for the family to unwind and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed setting.

Following their walk, her routine includes a shower, some reading, and then off to sleep. Janna prioritizes sleep as a crucial component of healthy living. Unlike some entrepreneurs who wear their sleep deprivation as a badge of honor, Janna takes the opposite approach, utilizing her Oura ring to optimize sleep and sleep quality. She recognizes the importance of a good night’s rest and ensures that she gets adequate sleep to maintain her health and productivity.

Janna Breslin is a force to be reckoned with, someone who has a laser focus on the future—a captain doing her best to steer the ship away from a potential cataclysm. By her own admission, she fails as much as she succeeds, a reality she has learned to embrace as she grows older and wiser. Her days are filled with a myriad of demands, from managing a multinational business to connecting with The Outsiders, shooting content for her exclusive site, maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle and nurturing intimate deeper connections. Janna teaches us that perfection is not only impossible but also something we should never strive for.

She reminds us that what we see on social media is often a curated version of reality and not something to aspire to. The quality of our lives is based, at least in part, on how we touch the lives of others. Janna proves that work ethic fueled by passion and purpose can create a life worth living. She encourages us to set big, hairy, audacious goals and to step outside of our comfort zones. Janna inspires us to “get the fuck outside” of our comfort zones, become Outsiders, and make a difference in the world. Through her relentless drive and commitment to her mission, Janna Breslin is a powerful reminder that we all have the potential to make a significant impact, each and every day.

Related Topics:bio-optimization crossfit eco-warrior

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Performers

Lili Harbit Is Quietly Building a Pop World of Her Own

There’s a certain kind of artist you don’t fully understand in one listen, not because they’re confusing, but because there’s more going on beneath the surface. Lili Harbit is one of those artists.

Based in Poland, Lili Harbit (born Liliya Maslakova) isn’t just a singer-songwriter trying to break into pop; she’s someone shaping her work from multiple angles. Alongside music, she has a background in psychology and works as a music teacher, and that combination shows up clearly in how she creates. Her songs don’t just aim to sound good, they feel considered, introspective, and emotionally intentional without trying too hard to prove it.

At a time when a lot of emerging pop can feel fast and disposable, her approach leans in the opposite direction, slower, more reflective, and quietly immersive.

A Visual Language That Matches the Music

A big part of Lili’s identity lives on YouTube, where her music videos help define her world just as much as the songs themselves.

There’s a noticeable consistency in how her visuals are put together. They’re minimal, but not empty. Cinematic, but not overproduced. Instead of relying on big concepts or loud aesthetics, her videos focus on mood, soft lighting, stillness, and subtle expressions that carry emotion without spelling everything out.

It feels intentional without feeling forced.

That’s likely where her psychology background plays a role. There’s an understanding of emotional space, knowing when to hold back, when to let a moment breathe, that gives her visuals a kind of quiet confidence.

“Near” and the Shift Toward a Bigger Stage

One of the more defining moments in her recent journey is the release of her single “Near” on VEVO.

For independent artists, a VEVO release still carries weight. It signals a level of professionalism and opens the door to a wider, more global audience. But beyond the platform itself, “Near” feels like a step forward creatively.

The track leans into atmosphere, soft, emotionally driven, and built around presence rather than intensity. Her vocals don’t overpower the song; they sit inside it, letting the mood lead. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t demand attention loudly, but holds it if you stay.

You can tell it matters to her. Not just as a release, but as a marker, something that represents where she is right now as an artist.

Sound, Emotion, and Control

What stands out most about Lili Harbit’s music is how involved she is in shaping it.

She isn’t just writing and singing, she performs within her own arrangements, which gives her sound a sense of cohesion that’s hard to fake. Everything feels like it belongs together because it’s coming from the same place.

Her style sits somewhere within contemporary pop, but it’s softened by atmospheric production and a focus on emotion over structure. The themes she leans into , inner change, connection, growth , could easily feel generic in another artist’s hands, but here they feel more personal, more internal.

Not dramatic. Not exaggerated. Just… honest.

The Teacher Behind the Artist

Outside of her own music, Lili also works as a teacher, and that part of her life doesn’t feel separate from her artistry.

If anything, it strengthens it.

There’s a groundedness in the way she approaches music, both technically and emotionally. Her teaching seems to focus not just on skill, but on expression, helping people understand how to feel music, not just perform it.

That dual role, artist and mentor, adds another layer to who she is. It’s not just about building her own career, but also shaping how others experience music.

Growing Quietly, But Intentionally

On platforms like Instagram, her presence follows the same pattern as her music: consistent, understated, and real.

She shares her work, moments from her process, and glimpses into her creative mindset without over-packaging it. There’s no sense of trying too hard to go viral or fit into trends. Instead, it feels like she’s building something slowly, an audience that connects with her for the right reasons.

And that might be her biggest strength.

A Different Kind of Pop Artist

Lili Harbit doesn’t come across like someone chasing the typical version of pop success. She’s not loud about what she’s doing, and she’s not trying to fit into a pre-defined mold.

Instead, she’s building her own space, one that blends music, emotion, psychology, and visual storytelling in a way that feels personal and sustainable.

“Near” might be one of her first bigger steps onto a global stage, but it doesn’t feel like a sudden shift. It feels like a natural progression.

And if anything, that’s what makes her interesting to watch, not just where she is right now, but where this slow, intentional build might take her next.

Written in partnership with Tom White

Documentary

Writer-Director David Anthony Ngo: Behind The Scenes Of Award-Winning Documentary Projects

Art is often a collaborative process, and becomes almost invariably so as projects grow larger and more ambitious. The film industry is a prime example of this; small independent films can get by with a small team, but any kind of blockbuster or even mid-sized movie requires the work of dozens, if not hundreds, of collaborators. From ideation, through early filming and production, to editing, and even—if not especially—during the release window, films succeed on the backs of collaborative teams working toward a shared vision. This is as true for horror movies and action movies as it is for biopics and documentaries.

It’s that collaborative spirit that makes filming documentary projects so engaging and fulfilling, at least according to the award-winning filmmaker David Anthony Ngo. As both a writer and director of documentary and narrative films, David Anthony Ngo has created films shown around the world, including at festivals like the Sundance Film Festival. He’s the winner of the PBS Human Spirit Award, and has been nominated for both the WeScreenplay Diverse Voices and the Tracking Board Launch Pad competitions. Most recently he helmed Never Get Busted! a Sundance featured film following the infamous Texas lawman who turned on the police.

The process behind putting together award-winning documentary projects is multifaceted and involves a great many people. Even after release, the process of taking these films to major international festivals has a lot of moving parts; taking a film from concept to the festival circuit is one of the most challenging artistic collaborative efforts that exists today. That’s part of what makes it so engaging and fulfilling, at least for David Anthony Ngo.

“I have met hundreds, perhaps thousands, of filmmakers throughout the years at film festivals all over the world, and have found a shared passion and struggle for the medium that is inspiring,” Anthony Ngo says. “Making a movie is always a challenge. Making one independently requires an enormous amount of risk, dedication and hard work.”

Inspired By Stories, Driven By Teams

While he’s now an internationally recognized and award winning writer and director, David Anthony Ngo started the same way every filmmaker does: small. He fell in love with watching murder mysteries—which would later become his genre of choice—and Hitchcock films with his grandmother, and would spend weekends going through piles of video tapes from the local store for new experiences. By the time he was watching The Big Lebowski as a teenager, he’d realized that the art form he loved so much was one he could contribute to.

“I soon bought a small DV camera and started making short films on weekends,” Anthony Ngo recalls. “They weren’t great, but with each I got a bit better, learned the craft more, and bit by bit started to bridge the taste gap—that enormous divide between your artistic intention and the end result.”

As the years passed and his filmmaking career developed, Anthony Ngo learned that there is nothing more essential to the art than collaboration. In his words, the most unique thing about filmmaking is that it is a collaborative process; editors, producers, writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, and more are all crucial members of the team. Even during his formative career working as an editor, Anthony Ngo believed that it wasn’t about professional titles, but making sure the best idea wins. It’s a mindset he carries to this day.

“Unfortunately, the industry puts too much focus on directors as a singular creative force,” he explains. “That’s simply not true. It’s always a team effort. Writers often initiate the project and key creatives help interpret it. So when I collaborate, I always try to keep that in mind. If someone else has a better idea, it’s best to drop the ego and take the win.”

From Concept To Festival Debut

Like any artist, David Anthony Ngo has his own unique creative process when it comes to filmmaking. Most of his films are rooted in true stories, often true crime stories, because they often inherently carry with them the ingredients of a good story for film: a great premise, interesting characters, and high stakes. However, whether it’s a documentary or not, it always starts with a story, a flash of inspiration, a driving idea that fascinates him enough to be interested over the years it’ll take to write, direct, and release the film.

Once the illuminating idea has been discovered and chosen, the real work begins. Research makes up the majority of the early process, which often leads to multiple early rewrites on its own. Anthony Ngo usually starts with a beat sheet that maps out the major characters and plot points, giving necessary structure to the story before he fleshes it out into a longer form outline or script. These early stages can take over a year on their own, before any preparation for shooting begins. Once it’s done, Anthony Ngo will seek out feedback from trusted peers, then send it out to potential production partners and financiers.

“In ‘Never Get Busted’, the co-creator Erin Williams-Weir and I saw a short video with the lead subject Barry Cooper, and were instantly hooked,” Anthony Ngo says. “Once we’d fleshed out the story, we sent it out to some Executive Producers in the space and were very fortunate it got in the hands of John Battsek (Academy Award Winner ‘Searching For Sugar Man’) and Chris Smith (‘Tiger King’) who saw the potential and jumped on board. It was an enormous undertaking that took 6 years of blood, sweat, and tears to finish.”

From its earliest spark to its final form, David Anthony Ngo was deeply embedded in every layer of the project—shaping the story from the ground up, personally connecting with subjects to build an intimate, observational lens that feels lived-in rather than constructed. What followed wasn’t just a production timeline, but a many years-long personal commitment, as he poured significant parts of his life into bringing the film to completion, taking on the uncertainty and risk that comes with independent storytelling.

Documentary work demands unwavering commitment from start to finish. While others stepped away when the process became too hard, the film was carried forward by those with the strength to never give up—through years of uncertainty, travel, and relentless effort. Alongside Emmy Award nominee Julian Hart (‘Tinder Swindler’) and a small edit team, David Anthony Ngo worked relentlessly combing through hundreds of hours of archival material and interviews to shape a story that resonates emotionally while maintaining a sharp, compelling edge.

Once the movie was complete, taking it into the international film festival circuit was only a logical next step. Festivals like Sundance are one of the few avenues independent filmmakers have to seek exposure, especially as distribution networks and studios have become more risk averse. Festivals are a way for smaller budget films to get attention and prove audience engagement—which can then lead to those networks distributing and screening the film. It’s a hard gauntlet to run, but every success makes it worth it.

“Tenacity is the number one characteristic of any good filmmaker,” David Anthony Ngo says. “You’ll hear a million ‘no’s,’ be told you can’t do it, tell yourself you can’t do it, have people try to stop you from doing it—and still need to get up every morning and persevere. The world is always hungry for an engrossing story. Technology changes all the time, but if you’re a great storyteller, everything else can be learned.”

Written in partnership with Tom White

Song

Abe Yellen’s “South of Italy”: Where Lost Love Meets the Promise of What’s Next

By Myescha Joell

Abe Yellen’s “South of Italy” is the kind of song that settles into you slowly — a warm, unhurried ache dressed in acoustic guitar, lush strings, and the kind of melody that makes you feel like you’ve heard it before, even when you haven’t. The fourth single off his upcoming debut album, Long Goodbye, the track is cinematic in the truest sense: it doesn’t just tell a story, it places you inside one. And the story it’s telling is about love that’s been lost — and the strange, beautiful hope that comes after.

The song traces back to a solo trip Yellen took to Italy in late 2021. Moving through Florence, Siena, Rome, Capri, and Positano, he found himself drawn to the music of Piero Piccioni — the Italian film composer whose lush 1960s scores blanketed his travels with a particular kind of longing. Melody came first, arriving somewhere between the cobblestones and coastline. The lyrical story didn’t crystallize until he returned stateside.

“When I got back in the studio in Austin, that’s really when I think it finally came together — I was able to tell more of a chronological, left-to-right story,” shared Abe Yellen.

On the production side, the track grew out of a collaborative session with fellow artists Taylor Armstrong and Callan Brown. Armstrong had been working through an acoustic guitar idea — harmonically complete but still searching for a direction — and Yellen heard something in those chords immediately. He took the idea, lived with it for nearly a year, and when he finally returned to shape the vocal melody and arrangement, the song found itself. The final touch came from UK-based award-winning composer, orchestrator, and cellist Matt Hawken, brought in to handle all the string work — and the one who pushed the track into fully cinematic territory.

“Matt Hawken did all the string work on that song. He did a beautiful job — he’s a genius for sure. Some folks have listened and said it’s very cinematic, and I think that’s kudos to his fine work,” enthused Abe Yellen.

As for a visual, Yellen has a clear picture in his head: a Super 8 camera, the Italian countryside, montage footage that lets the landscape do the talking. Nothing is locked yet, but the intention to return to Italy and capture it is real. In the meantime, studio performance footage is being filmed in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in April. Meanwhile, Yellen has his eye on house shows as his preferred live format this year — an intimate setting that fits an album this close to the bone.

“In a dream world, we’d fly out and shoot one there [in Italy]. Seems like anything else would be cutting it short,” added Abe Yellen.

Long Goodbye — the full debut Yellen has spent years quietly building toward — arrives in April, preceded by one final single. “Farfisa” drops March 27th, named after the instrument he wrote it on: a vintage 1960s organ with a dreamy, transportive quality — the same one Sly Stone once played. The album itself was born from the experience of divorce, but Long Goodbye isn’t an angry record. It’s a love letter — honest, lived-in, and shaped by the kind of loss that quietly teaches you something if you let it.

“Music, for me, was always therapy,” explained Abe Yellen.

Born in Petaluma, California, and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Yellen found his footing on church stages and open mic nights before trading college for the road and joining his older brother’s band Night Beds on tour. He eventually landed in Austin, where he spent years building records for other artists — helping them find their sound while quietly stockpiling his own. His influences run wide: the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Bossa Nova, and Jazz. Genre has always been a complicated question for him — not because he lacks identity, but because he’s after something bigger. He’d rather create the genre than fit into one.

“Wouldn’t it be cool if, in your lifetime, you were responsible for a new genre? Motown was a label that became a genre. Then you have João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos Jobim, who were the grandfathers of Bossa Nova. Maybe I’m trying to find a new one. I just haven’t found it yet,” shared Abe Yellen.

He closed with a T.S. Eliot quote from his famous poem “Ash Wednesday” that felt less like a citation and more like a mission statement: “Because I know that time is time and place is always and only place and what is actual is actual only for one time and only for one place” — and then offered simply: “Hopefully this all comes at the right time. You never know when the right time is, but I’m glad it’s coming out now.”

Before the full record lands, look out for “Farfisa,” the final single from Long Goodbye, dropping March 27th. It’s the last single to be released before the full project arrives. Long Goodbye drops in April.

“South of Itlay” is now available on all streaming platforms, with promotional support from Starlight PR.