Nada Surf frontman Matthew Caws listens to records in his kitchen, on a portable record player that folds up into a suitcase -- complete with a handle. Maybe this has something to do with why his band is releasing three of their albums -- 'Let Go,' 'The Proximity Effect' and 'The Weight is a Gift' -- on vinyl.

"To me if it's not out on vinyl, it's not out," Caws tells Spinner. "I'm thrilled they're coming out -- vinyl is the first and best. Your record player's not gonna crash."

While the Brooklyn band is enjoying their time off, they're not completely stagnant. "There are a whole bunch of people in the neighborhood to make music with, do little things," Caws said. "I can't predict what will happen because the band doesn't usually get this much time off."

What is set in stone, however, is the band's hometown show in April, before they head to Switzerland for the Caprices Festival. In addition, Caws says that Nada Surf will most likely be back in the studio by the end of the year.