French Kayaking Music was written for & inspired by the film Voyagers Without Trace; a documentary about a French trio who kayaked the Green & Colorado rivers in 1938. When Jenny Conlee (DECEMBERISTS/BLACK PRAIRIE) heard that the film's director Ian McCluskey was looking for original music with a French flavor, a creative relationship was begun. Steve Drizos, drummer for Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons & Conlee's husband & musical collaborator, was brought in as recording engineer & then as producer & composer as well.