The Dave Matthews Band just might be rock's ultimate road warriors. For one of the hardest-touring bands in show business, leaving home proved the best way to record their latest album as well.

Everyday, their first studio release since 1998's Before These Crowded Streets, was the result of Matthews and crew ditching the Charlottesville, Va., scene for a short-but-productive writing and recording stint in L.A. with producer Glen Ballard, famed for his multi-platinum successes with Alanis Morissette and Wilson Phillips.

The move meant shelving the handful of songs DMB had already cut with Steve Lillywhite in Virginia, including the recent tour fave "Bartender." But it was the price the band says it had to pay to break away from a gloomy songwriting vibe that had set in at home. The West Coast trip also helped them focus on the music, rather than on playing softball and riding around on their all-terrain vehicles. After all, this most thoughtful of jam bands didn't want to morph into the Monkees, even though the new album has tight arrangements and a radio-friendly vibe.

After Matthews and Ballard wrote the new tracks, the rest of the band showed up in L.A. to put some meat on the skeleton. Although they haven't been able to work the songs out in concert yet, Matthews says Everyday captures their attitude better than any of their previous albums. It also showcases some virtuoso performances on the likes of the infectious single "I Did It" and the thoughtful "The Space Between."

Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard and violinist Boyd Tinsley hooked up with MTV News' Kara Manning and Gideon Yago to discuss their new recording process, why they've embraced Napster, and their eagerness to take these new songs on the road.