{"id":2661,"date":"2026-06-10T12:49:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/?p=2661"},"modified":"2026-06-10T12:49:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T16:49:04","slug":"how-james-mercer-of-the-shins-overcame-heartbreak-and-recorded-chutes-too-narrow-in-his-basement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/how-james-mercer-of-the-shins-overcame-heartbreak-and-recorded-chutes-too-narrow-in-his-basement\/","title":{"rendered":"How James Mercer of The Shins Overcame Heartbreak and Recorded \u2018Chutes Too Narrow\u2019 In His Basement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the early 2000s, The Shins<\/a> generated addicting pop rock tracks based around simplistic chord structures. With hints of the 1960s and excelled by James Mercer’s brilliant songwriting, The Shins became indie icons. Originally, The Shins was a side project that became their main focus. They released their debut album, Oh, Inverted World<\/em>, in 2001. At the time, Mercer and the band were located in New Mexico. Their debut album was released a few years before Mercer would turn 30. He felt pressure to do something with his life, as his youthfulness was fleeing. He took a big chance and threw his all into The Shins. Shortly after the debut album was released, he moved the band to Portland, Oregon, after a relationship had fallen apart in New Mexico. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mercer had befriended Isaac Brock, lead singer and guitarist of Modest Mouse<\/a>. Brock helped convince Mercer to make the move and also helped get the band signed to Sub Pop Records. Mercer bought a house and built an at-home recording studio in the basement. It was small and cheap, but allowed the band to work at their own pace on their next release. They could record at any hour, especially utilizing overnight sessions. It was in this basement studio that The Shins recorded their second album, Chutes Too Narrow<\/em>, released in 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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