On Leaving is the fourth album by American singer-songwriter Nina Nastasia. It was released on September 11, 2006, on Fat Cat Records. It was recorded by Steve Albini and produced by Nastasia, Kennan Gudjonsson, and Albini. The album received generally favorable reviews; Allmusic considered the album a "deeply poetic record." Stylus Magazine commented the album was "full bodied and masterful, overshadowing many big-footed leading ladies’ recent folk releases." Pitchfork Media found it "difficult to hear Nastasia pull back to a songwriter-with-guitar style."

Composition and style

"Jim's Room" is inspired by Nina Nastasia's father, artist James "Jim" Nastasia, and his series of still-life paintings titled "Francis". Francis was a nude model in her late late 60s or early 70s, whom Nina frequently encountered in her childhood. The song references Nina's memories of both Francis and Jim's smoke-filled art studio in her childhood home.

Track listing

Recording information

Engineered by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago.