Settling in London, Molina was captivated by the city's rich history. When he wasn't learning about the seven gates (also a bit of a misconception) of the city's wall, he was making up his own stories, drawing inspiration from tall tales like John Henry and Paul Bunyan's Babe. Captivated by London and its mystical lore, Molina set off on a European solo tour in 2008. However, after an alleged spider bite, he became ill and had to return home, where he wrote songs and claimed to be fed by a flock of bright green parrots that often gathered in his yard. He even recorded them with his four-track! Later, he learned about the Hendrix parakeets, released in a psychedelic moment and still often spotted around the city. The music of Eight Gates, Molina's last studio recordings made before he passed from alcohol-related complications in 2013, captures a piece of this legend.