If I've learned one thing in business its that it takes a great team to make something great happen. And trying to do something great is a really big job. Bigger than any one person can handle at full speed. But it turns out that, quite by accident, I've found lots of new folks to join us  and help us on Team Incubus. This past week we've all been buried under the pace of things as the band prepares the launch of their new album "If Not Now, When" on July 12th. And I've found that people really like these Weekly Recaps, so I've inadvertently, added one more thing to my to do list when I can barely get through what I already have.

So, when in doubt, I'll do what I always do. I'll find somebody to help me do the job. I'll delegate the job. In this case I'm delegating to our friend Ms Lauren Clay. Not only is she a fine writer, she has already kind of been doing the job by proxy. She is the Incubus fan who takes notes on the Morning Briefing. So this one was a no-brainer. This is Lauren's Weekly Update with a few minor edits and corrections. Thanks-Lauren

There's something to be said for forces of nature; something about being swept up in something that goes past a point of no return, where the energy of it carries you far past where you ever thought you'd end up.  I kind of have the feeling this week that we're standing on the side of the mountain and the avalanche is coming for us.  It hasn't quite hit us yet but it's too late to get out of the way and our only recourse is to stand here and watch the ground shake and wait for it to sweep us away.  Or maybe I'm just very excited for what's going on here. But if somehow you missed all that is going on allow us to fill you in.

Monday morning saw the airing of a small clip of the filming of the Adolescents video which had been filmed the day before with director Brantley Gutierrez, which unveiled not only an unbridled amount of energy from Mike Einziger but also the reappearance of the custom PRS Hollowbody he'd once auctioned off via the Make Yourself Foundation.

Tuesday we learned that the wheels of the great Incubus machine have started the turning which will carry them along the support for If Not Now, When? with upcoming press releases prepared for Nylon and Spin magazines and a photoshoot in the upcoming week for the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Wednesday, of course, was Ben Kenney's video chat here on Incubus World Headquarters.  Despite some technical difficulties with Skype, the chat went very well and Ben enjoyed the chance to connect with the fans and answer some questions about the new album, his personal projects, and beyond.  Against his better judgement, Jose has agreed to walk/talk the gauntlet of video chat and Skype roulette, on Wednesday May 4th. Start posting questions for him on the forum. 

On Thursday Mr. Boyd shared a personal note with all the INCUBUS fans about the band's inspiration and direction on this album, a letter which was impressive not only for its mass but its density and honesty as Brandon spoke his mind about the upcoming album in the way only he can. His pen is his pistola. 

On Friday, If Not Now, When? became available for preorder from www.enjoyincubus.com around the world thanks to the fine work of our friends at Sony Music.  It is available on both vinyl and CD and should be available in local currency to hungry Incubus fans around the world.  The Direct to Consumer team at Sony has been working hard to make this album as accessible as possible to fans across the globe. In the coming weeks we will come up with some ways to sweeten the offer even more. 

Over the weekend, the Tour section of the HQ got a little bit of a workout.  For those of you who haven't looked at it, it might be worth taking a stroll through--especially for fans in and around Germany.  Monday will see an official announcement and further details posted concerning the early easter eggs that got hidden around the events calender.  

The calendar is starting to fill up.  The avalanche is definitely on its way.  As they say, the early bird gets the worm, and you never know what will happen here on HQ.  Things are moving at the speed of sound and those who aren't paying attention might miss out, so keep your eyes open.  Blink, and you miss a beat.

Thanks,

Ren