The idea for this compilation originated as a follow-up—or rather, an inspiration—to the previous "SoundJam" project, *The Endless Tea Rooms In Abstract Western*. So I decided to create another international collaborative album and reach out to more musicians than before. So, on January 20, 2026, on an international Discord server focused on experimental music, we gathered with musicians such as: Alpine Universe, Černý tesák, Kuka, Jack Cordoe, WCI, Azdajsmejejichsen, Zeph!, nowalover, stanicamiru, Eduroam, Kozanna, Jabber, Iyro, DJ Train Tamer, and Patricidal Jubilee—and we began work on this album. I chose (and we subsequently voted on) the theme "Cozy Speakeasy Bars Beneath The Frostpunk Wasteland" for the album. I decided to create this theme for several reasons—the contrast between "hidden cozy bars" and the "gloomy frostpunk wasteland" is particularly intriguing. As a lover of the speakeasy bar phenomenon with secret entrances, I wanted to create a project that incorporates this theme—the album tells a story. The musicians had one month to create the songs and interludes. Once the time was up, we gathered on the server and held a listening party, where we heard our creations for the first time. ... This was followed by a vote on the graphic and visual style we would use for the album cover. We drew inspiration from the cover of the album "Tunes To Prepare For Winter" by the musician "Mr Hare." The final graphic design was created by the Slovak musician, graphic designer, and poet "stanicamiru" and the Czech visual artist and poet "Azdajsmejejichsen." While Azdajsmejejichsen created a hand-drawn, colorful illustration of the interior of a secret bar, stanicamiru designed the dark blue frame and typography. ... I arranged the album’s track order based on how the songs fit together “narratively” but, above all, sonically. Patricidal Jubilee handled the mastering once again, just as they did for the previous album (The Endless Tea Rooms In Abstract Western). ...
