A Reason to Swim

A Reason to Swim is the third EP of singer/songwriter Joe Brooks and is his first independent release following his departure from Lava Records/Universal Republic Records. It was released through Fantastic Music LLC in the US on September 6, 2011.

History
A Reason to Swim is the fourth overall release of artist Joe Brooks and his third EP. Following being dropped from Lava Records/Universal Republic Records in early 2011 Brooks quickly began putting together music for an EP release. To fund the album independently Brooks started a threshold pledge system through the site PledgeMusic. Designated the "Fans Only EP", people who pledged money were able to receive signed memorabilia, access to Joe Brooks concerts or even a prom date with Brooks. Funding for the album exceeded its goal, with additional money going toward the filming of the music video "Holes Inside." "Holes Inside" was released on YouTube a day after the album, on September 7.

The EP was licensed and released by Sony in Korea and Malaysia. As part of the promotion, Brooks attended a media tour in Korea to support A Reason to Swim, appearing on national television and Korean publications of Nylon and Teen Vogue. The song "Someday (OK)" was also featured on Superstar K3.

Musicians

 * Joe Brooks: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar (all tracks) String Arrangement (track 4)
 * Rune Westberg: Electric Guitar, Bass, Programming (tracks 1,5,6)
 * Mikal Blue: Bass (tracks 2,4,5) String Arrangement (track 4)
 * Eric Nelson: (track 2)
 * Billy Hawn: Guitar (track 2)
 * Matt Mayhall: (track 3)
 * Stuart Brawley: Rhodes, Harp, Organ, Strings (track 3)
 * Adam Hamilton: Bass (track 3)
 * Joe Corcoran: Horns, Electric Guitar
 * Sara Haze: Background Vocals (track 4)
 * Victor Indrizzo: Drums (track 4)
 * David Levita: Guitars (track 4)
 * Kevin Daniel: Piano (track 4)
 * Fredrick Bokkenheuser: Drums (track 5)

Production

 * Mikal Blue: Producer
 * Rune Westberg: Producer
 * Stuart Brawley: Producer
 * Jess Sojka: Engineer
 * Joe Yannece: Mastering
 * Joe Corcoran: Digital Editing
 * Ehud Kaldes: Engineer
 * Ken Krongard: Management
 * Reid Hunter: Legal
 * Joe Brooks: Art Direction, Design, Cover Art
 * Felicia Simion: Cover Photography
 * Shane Fabila: Inside Photography