Canadian singer/songwriter Hawksley Workman released his debut album For Him and the Girls in 1999, playing virtually every note in addition to recording the songs in his own home studio. Received well both at home and in the United Kingdom, it was followed by 2001's similarly self-produced and self-performed (Last Night We Were) The Delicious Wolves. On-stage, he gained a reputation for circulating far-fetched stories, such as his time spent in the circus as a "mad-maker" (the one who goes into the cages to make the lions mad before their performances) during his youth to help his family get by. In addition, Workman played on and produced albums for fellow Canadian artists John Southworth, Sarah Slean, Tegan and Sara, the Cash Brothers, and Paul Macleod. ~ Stanton Swihart