diff --git a/lib/xos-config/xosconfig/default.py b/lib/xos-config/xosconfig/default.py
index f1a7adc..61829ba 100644
--- a/lib/xos-config/xosconfig/default.py
+++ b/lib/xos-config/xosconfig/default.py
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@
 
 DEFAULT_VALUES = {
     'xos_dir': '/opt/xos',
+
+    # The configuration below inherits from the standard config of the Python logging module
+    # See: https://docs.python.org/2/library/logging.config.html
+    # multistructlog supports this config in all of its generality
+    # So for instance, you can add new handlers. Note that all handlers will
+    # receive logs simultaneously.
+
     'logging': {
         'version': 1,
         'handlers': {
diff --git a/lib/xos-config/xosconfig/xos-config-schema.yaml b/lib/xos-config/xosconfig/xos-config-schema.yaml
index 216bbf1..d897e76 100644
--- a/lib/xos-config/xosconfig/xos-config-schema.yaml
+++ b/lib/xos-config/xosconfig/xos-config-schema.yaml
@@ -31,7 +31,12 @@
       password:
         type: str
         required: True
-  logging: 
+  # The configuration below inherits from the standard config of the Python logging module
+  # See: https://docs.python.org/2/library/logging.config.html
+  # multistructlog supports this config in all of its generality
+  # So for instance, you can add new handlers. Note that all handlers will
+  # receive logs simultaneously.
+  logging:
     type: any
   xos_dir:
     type: str
diff --git a/xos/coreapi/core_main.py b/xos/coreapi/core_main.py
index ad951f8..7318159 100644
--- a/xos/coreapi/core_main.py
+++ b/xos/coreapi/core_main.py
@@ -26,9 +26,10 @@
 from reaper import ReaperThread
 from grpc_server import XOSGrpcServer, restart_chameleon
 
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
-logger = Logger(level=logging.DEBUG)
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
 
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
 
@@ -41,13 +42,14 @@
 
     restart_chameleon()
 
-    logger.info("Core_main entering wait loop")
+    log.info("XOS core entering wait loop")
 
     _ONE_DAY_IN_SECONDS = 60 * 60 * 24
     try:
         while 1:
             time.sleep(_ONE_DAY_IN_SECONDS)
     except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        log.info("XOS core terminated by keyboard interrupt")
         server.stop()
         reaper.stop()
 
diff --git a/xos/coreapi/grpc_server.py b/xos/coreapi/grpc_server.py
index caeb9e6..69a50fc 100644
--- a/xos/coreapi/grpc_server.py
+++ b/xos/coreapi/grpc_server.py
@@ -40,6 +40,12 @@
 from concurrent import futures
 import zlib
 
+from xosconfig import Config
+
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     import django
     sys.path.append('/opt/xos')
@@ -51,8 +57,7 @@
 from xos_utility_api import UtilityService
 from google.protobuf.empty_pb2 import Empty
 
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
+
 
 SERVER_KEY="/opt/cord_profile/core_api_key.pem"
 SERVER_CERT="/opt/cord_profile/core_api_cert.pem"
@@ -115,7 +120,7 @@
 
     def __init__(self, port=50055):
         self.port = port
-        logger.info('init-grpc-server port=%d' % self.port)
+        log.info('Initializing GRPC Server', port = port)
         self.thread_pool = futures.ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=10)
         self.server = grpc.server(self.thread_pool)
 
@@ -128,7 +133,7 @@
         self.services = []
 
     def start(self):
-        logger.debug('starting')
+        log.info('Starting GRPC Server')
 
         # add each service unit to the server and also to the list
         for activator_func, service_class in (
@@ -148,15 +153,15 @@
         # strat the server
         self.server.start()
 
-        logger.info('started')
+        log.info('GRPC Server Started')
         return self
 
     def stop(self, grace=0):
-        logger.debug('stopping')
+        log.info('Stopping GRPC Server')
         for service in self.services:
             service.stop()
         self.server.stop(grace)
-        logger.debug('stopped')
+        log.info('stopped')
 
     def register(self, activator_func, service):
         """
diff --git a/xos/coreapi/reaper.py b/xos/coreapi/reaper.py
index 38ecfcf..3d6def0 100644
--- a/xos/coreapi/reaper.py
+++ b/xos/coreapi/reaper.py
@@ -43,13 +43,15 @@
 from django.db import models as django_models
 from core.models.xosbase import XOSCollector
 from django.db import router
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
 
 import pdb
 import time
 import traceback
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.DEBUG)
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 class ReaperThread(threading.Thread):
     daemon = True
@@ -67,15 +69,15 @@
             #diag = Diag.objects.filter(name="foo").first()
         except Exception, e:
             if "connection already closed" in traceback.format_exc():
-               logger.error("XXX connection already closed")
+               log.exception("XXX connection already closed", e = e)
                try:
     #               if db.connection:
     #                   db.connection.close()
                    db.close_old_connections()
-               except:
-                    logger.log_exc("XXX we failed to fix the failure")
+               except Exception,e:
+                    log.exception("XXX we failed to fix the failure", e = e)
             else:
-               logger.log_exc("XXX some other error")
+               log.exception("XXX some other error", e = e)
 
     def journal_object(self, o, operation, msg=None, timestamp=None):
         # not implemented at this time
@@ -128,13 +130,13 @@
 
                     if (not getattr(d, "backend_need_reap", False)) and getattr(d, "backend_need_delete", False):
                         self.journal_object(d, "reaper.need_delete")
-                        logger.info("REAPER: skipping %r because it has need_delete set" % d)
+                        log.info("skipping because it has need_delete set", object = d)
                         continue
 
                     cascade_set = self.get_cascade_set(d)
                     if cascade_set:
                         self.journal_object(d, "reaper.cascade_set", msg=",".join([str(m) for m in cascade_set]))
-                        logger.info('REAPER: cannot purge object %r because its cascade_set is nonempty: %s' % (d, ",".join([str(m) for m in cascade_set])))
+                        log.info('REAPER: cannot purge object because its cascade_set is nonempty',object = d, cascade_set = ",".join([str(m) for m in cascade_set]))
                         continue
 
 #                    XXX I don't think we need dependency_walker here anymore,
@@ -145,18 +147,18 @@
 
                     if (True):
                         self.journal_object(d, "reaper.purge")
-                        logger.info('REAPER: purging object %r'%d)
+                        log.info('REAPER: purging object',object = d)
                         try:
                             d.delete(purge=True)
                         except:
                             self.journal_object(d, "reaper.purge.exception")
-                            logger.error('REAPER: exception purging object %r'%d)
+                            log.error('REAPER: exception purging object', object = d)
                             traceback.print_exc()
             try:
                 reset_queries()
             except:
                 # this shouldn't happen, but in case it does, catch it...
-                logger.log_exc("REAPER: exception in reset_queries")
+                log.exception("REAPER: exception in reset_queries")
 
             # logger.debug("REAPER: finished run_reaper_once()")
 
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@
             try:
                 self.run_reaper_once()
             except:
-                logger.log_exc("REAPER: Exception in run loop")
+                log.exception("REAPER: Exception in run loop")
 
             telap = time.time()-start
             if telap<self.interval:
diff --git a/xos/generate/dependency_walker.py b/xos/generate/dependency_walker.py
index ab50039..e5684bb 100644
--- a/xos/generate/dependency_walker.py
+++ b/xos/generate/dependency_walker.py
@@ -29,96 +29,108 @@
 import json
 import pdb
 from core.models import *
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
 
-missing_links={}
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+Config.init()
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
+
+missing_links = {}
 
 try:
-	dep_data = open(Config.get('dependency_graph')).read()
-except:
-	raise Exception('[XOS-Dependency-Walker] File %s not found' % Config.get('dependency_graph'))
+    dep_data = open(Config.get('dependency_graph')).read()
+except BaseException:
+    raise Exception(
+        '[XOS-Dependency-Walker] File %s not found' %
+        Config.get('dependency_graph'))
 
 dependencies = json.loads(dep_data)
 
 inv_dependencies = {}
 for k, lst in dependencies.items():
-	for v in lst:
-		try:
-			inv_dependencies[v].append(k)
-		except KeyError:
-			inv_dependencies[v]=[k]
-	
+    for v in lst:
+        try:
+            inv_dependencies[v].append(k)
+        except KeyError:
+            inv_dependencies[v] = [k]
+
 
 def plural(name):
-	if (name.endswith('s')):
-		return name+'es'
-	else:
-		return name+'s'
+    if (name.endswith('s')):
+        return name + 'es'
+    else:
+        return name + 's'
 
 
 def walk_deps(fn, object):
-	model = object.__class__.__name__
-	try:	
-		deps = dependencies[model]
-	except:
-		deps = []
-	return __walk_deps(fn, object, deps)
+    model = object.__class__.__name__
+    try:
+        deps = dependencies[model]
+    except BaseException:
+        deps = []
+    return __walk_deps(fn, object, deps)
+
 
 def walk_inv_deps(fn, object):
-	model = object.__class__.__name__
-	try:	
-		deps = inv_dependencies[model]
-	except:
-		deps = []
-	return __walk_deps(fn, object, deps)
+    model = object.__class__.__name__
+    try:
+        deps = inv_dependencies[model]
+    except BaseException:
+        deps = []
+    return __walk_deps(fn, object, deps)
+
 
 def __walk_deps(fn, object, deps):
-	model = object.__class__.__name__
-	ret = []
-	for dep in deps:
-		#print "Checking dep %s"%dep
-		peer=None
-		link = dep.lower()
-		try:
-			peer = getattr(object, link)
-		except AttributeError:
-			link = plural(link)
-			try:
-				peer = getattr(object, link)
-			except AttributeError:
-				if not missing_links.has_key(model+'.'+link):
-					print "Model %s missing link for dependency %s"%(model, link)
-                                        logger.log_exc("WARNING: Model %s missing link for dependency %s."%(model, link))
-					missing_links[model+'.'+link]=True
+    model = object.__class__.__name__
+    ret = []
+    for dep in deps:
+        # print "Checking dep %s"%dep
+        peer = None
+        link = dep.lower()
+        try:
+            peer = getattr(object, link)
+        except AttributeError:
+            link = plural(link)
+            try:
+                peer = getattr(object, link)
+            except AttributeError:
+                if model + '.' + link not in missing_links:
+                    log.exception(
+                        "Model missing link for dependency.",
+                        model=model,
+                        link=link)
+                    missing_links[model + '.' + link] = True
+
+        if (peer):
+            try:
+                peer_objects = peer.all()
+            except AttributeError:
+                peer_objects = [peer]
+            except BaseException:
+                peer_objects = []
+
+            for o in peer_objects:
+                # if (isinstance(o,XOSBase)):
+                if (hasattr(o, 'updated')):
+                    fn(o, object)
+                    ret.append(o)
+                # Uncomment the following line to enable recursion
+                # walk_inv_deps(fn, o)
+    return ret
 
 
-		if (peer):
-			try:
-				peer_objects = peer.all()
-			except AttributeError:
-				peer_objects = [peer]
-			except:
-				peer_objects = []
+def p(x, source):
+    print x, x.__class__.__name__
+    return
 
-			for o in peer_objects:
-				#if (isinstance(o,XOSBase)):
-				if (hasattr(o,'updated')):
-					fn(o, object)
-					ret.append(o)
-				# Uncomment the following line to enable recursion
-				# walk_inv_deps(fn, o)
-	return ret
-
-def p(x,source):
-	print x,x.__class__.__name__
-	return
 
 def main():
-	#pdb.set_trace()
-	s = Slice.objects.filter(name='princeton_sapan62')
-	#pdb.set_trace()
-	print walk_inv_deps(p,s[0])
-	
-if __name__=='__main__':
-	main()
+    # pdb.set_trace()
+    s = Slice.objects.filter(name='princeton_sapan62')
+    # pdb.set_trace()
+    print walk_inv_deps(p, s[0])
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/model_policy.py b/xos/synchronizers/model_policy.py
index c324340..aabbf83 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/model_policy.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/model_policy.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 from django.utils import timezone
 from django.db import models as django_models
 from generate.dependency_walker import *
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
 
 import pdb
 import time
@@ -35,7 +34,11 @@
 
 model_policies = {}
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.DEBUG)
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+Config.init()
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 def EnableModelPolicy(x):
     global modelPolicyEnabled
@@ -62,10 +65,10 @@
         if (save_fields):
             d.save(update_fields=save_fields)
     except AttributeError,e:
-        logger.log_exc("AttributeError in update_dep")
+        log.exception("AttributeError in update_dep", e = e)
         raise e
     except Exception,e:
-        logger.log_exc("Exception in update_dep")
+        log.exception("Exception in update_dep", e = e)
 
 def delete_if_inactive(d, o):
     try:
@@ -108,7 +111,7 @@
 
     try:
         policy_handler = model_policies.get(policy_name, None) # getattr(model_policies, policy_name, None)
-        logger.debug("MODEL POLICY: handler %s %s" % (policy_name, policy_handler))
+        log.debug("MODEL POLICY: handler %s %s",policy_name = policy_name, policy_handler = policy_handler)
         if policy_handler is not None:
             if (deleted):
                 try:
@@ -117,15 +120,15 @@
                     pass
             else:
                 policy_handler.handle(instance)
-        logger.debug("MODEL POLICY: completed handler %s %s" % (policy_name, policy_handler))
-    except:
-        logger.log_exc("MODEL POLICY: Exception when running handler")
+        log.debug("MODEL POLICY: completed handler", policy_name = policy_name, policy_handler = policy_handler)
+    except Exception, e:
+        log.exception("MODEL POLICY: Exception when running handler", e = e)
 
     try:
         instance.policed=timezone.now()
         instance.save(update_fields=['policed'])
     except:
-        logger.log_exc('MODEL POLICY: Object %r is defective'%instance)
+        log.exception('MODEL POLICY: Object is defective', object = instance)
         bad_instances.append(instance)
 
 def noop(o,p):
@@ -139,15 +142,15 @@
         #diag = Diag.objects.filter(name="foo").first()
     except Exception, e:
         if "connection already closed" in traceback.format_exc():
-           logger.error("XXX connection already closed")
+           log.error("XXX connection already closed")
            try:
 #               if db.connection:
 #                   db.connection.close()
                db.close_old_connections()
-           except:
-                logger.log_exc("XXX we failed to fix the failure")
+           except Exception,f:
+               log.exception("XXX we failed to fix the failure", e = f)
         else:
-           logger.log_exc("XXX some other error")
+           log.exception("XXX some other error", e = e)
 
 def run_policy():
     load_model_policies()
@@ -156,8 +159,9 @@
         start = time.time()
         try:
             run_policy_once()
-        except:
-            logger.log_exc("MODEL_POLICY: Exception in run_policy()")
+        except Exception,e:
+            log.exception("MODEL_POLICY: Exception in run_policy()", e)
+
         if (time.time()-start<1):
             time.sleep(1)
 
@@ -167,7 +171,7 @@
         objects = []
         deleted_objects = []
 
-        logger.debug("MODEL POLICY: run_policy_once()")
+        log.debug("MODEL POLICY: run_policy_once()")
 
         check_db_connection_okay()
 
@@ -185,8 +189,8 @@
 
         try:
             reset_queries()
-        except:
+        except Exception,e:
             # this shouldn't happen, but in case it does, catch it...
-            logger.log_exc("MODEL POLICY: exception in reset_queries")
+            log.exception("MODEL POLICY: exception in reset_queries", e = e)
 
-        logger.debug("MODEL POLICY: finished run_policy_once()")
+        log.debug("MODEL POLICY: finished run_policy_once()")
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.py
index 71c3400..53f50a5 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.py
@@ -24,9 +24,10 @@
 from synchronizers.new_base.syncstep import SyncStep
 from synchronizers.new_base.ansible_helper import run_template_ssh
 from synchronizers.new_base.modelaccessor import *
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 
 class SyncInstanceUsingAnsible(SyncStep):
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@
     def defer_sync(self, o, reason):
         # zdw, 2017-02-18 - is raising the exception here necessary? - seems like
         # it's just logging the same thing twice
-        logger.info("defer object %s due to %s" % (str(o), reason), extra=o.tologdict())
+        log.info("defer object", object = str(o), reason = reason, **o.tologdict())
         raise Exception("defer object %s due to %s" % (str(o), reason))
 
     def get_extra_attributes(self, o):
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@
             template_name = self.template_name
         tStart = time.time()
         run_template_ssh(template_name, fields, object=o)
-        logger.info("playbook execution time %d" % int(time.time() - tStart), extra=o.tologdict())
+        log.info("playbook execution time", time = int(time.time() - tStart), **o.tologdict())
 
     def pre_sync_hook(self, o, fields):
         pass
@@ -187,7 +188,7 @@
         return fields
 
     def sync_record(self, o):
-        logger.info("sync'ing object %s" % str(o), extra=o.tologdict())
+        log.info("sync'ing object", object = str(o), **o.tologdict())
 
         self.prepare_record(o)
 
@@ -298,7 +299,7 @@
     # in the derived class and override the below handle_watched_object() method to route the notifications
     # accordingly
     def handle_watched_object(self, o):
-        logger.info("handle_watched_object is invoked for object %s" % (str(o)), extra=o.tologdict())
+        log.info("handle_watched_object is invoked for object",object = str(o), **o.tologdict())
         if (model_accessor.is_type(o, "ServiceDependency")):
             self.handle_service_composition_watch_notification(o)
         elif (model_accessor.is_type(o, "ServiceMonitoringAgentInfo")):
@@ -309,7 +310,7 @@
         cls_obj = self.observes
         if (type(cls_obj) is list):
             cls_obj = cls_obj[0]
-        logger.info("handle_watched_object observed model %s" % (cls_obj))
+        log.info("handle_watched_object observed model", model = cls_obj)
 
         objs = cls_obj.objects.filter(kind=cls_obj.KIND)
 
@@ -327,7 +328,7 @@
             valid_instance = False
 
         if not valid_instance:
-            logger.warn("handle_watched_object: No valid instance found for object %s" % (str(obj)))
+            log.warn("handle_watched_object: No valid instance found for object", object =str(obj))
             return
 
         provider_service = coarse_tenant.provider_service
@@ -341,8 +342,8 @@
                 matched_service = subscriber_service
                 other_service = provider_service
             else:
-                logger.info("handle_watched_object: Service object %s does not match with any of composed services" % (
-                str(obj)))
+                log.info("handle_watched_object: Service object does not match with any of composed services", 
+                object = str(obj))
                 return
         elif model_accessor.is_instance(obj, "Tenant"):
             if obj.provider_service.id == provider_service.id:
@@ -352,11 +353,11 @@
                 matched_service = subscriber_service
                 other_service = provider_service
             else:
-                logger.info(
-                    "handle_watched_object: Tenant object %s does not match with any of composed services" % (str(obj)))
+                log.info(
+                    "handle_watched_object: Tenant object does not match with any of composed services", object = str(obj))
                 return
         else:
-            logger.warn("handle_watched_object: Model object %s is of neither Service nor Tenant type" % (str(obj)))
+            log.warn("handle_watched_object: Model object is of neither Service nor Tenant type", object = str(obj))
 
         src_networks = matched_service.get_composable_networks()
         target_networks = other_service.get_composable_networks()
@@ -374,10 +375,9 @@
             fields["target_subnet"] = target_subnet
             # Template file is available under .../synchronizers/shared_templates
             service_composition_template_name = "sync_service_composition.yaml"
-            logger.info(
-                "handle_watched_object: Updating routing tables in the instance associated with object %s: target_subnet:%s src_ip:%s" % (
-                str(obj), target_subnet, src_ip))
+            log.info(
+                "handle_watched_object: Updating routing tables in the instance associated with object. target_subnet:%s src_ip:%s",
+                object = str(obj), subnet = target_subnet, ip = src_ip)
             SyncInstanceUsingAnsible.run_playbook(self, obj, fields, service_composition_template_name)
         else:
-            logger.info("handle_watched_object: No intersection of composable networks between composed services %s" % (
-            str(coarse_tenant)))
+            log.info("handle_watched_object: No intersection of composable networks between composed services", object = str(coarse_tenant))
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/ansible_helper.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/ansible_helper.py
index 517c15e..0491048 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/ansible_helper.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/ansible_helper.py
@@ -28,11 +28,14 @@
 import traceback
 import subprocess
 import threading
-from xosconfig import Config
-from xos.logger import observer_logger as logger
+
 from multiprocessing import Process, Queue
 from xosconfig import Config
 
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
+
 
 step_dir = Config.get("steps_dir")
 sys_dir = Config.get("sys_dir")
@@ -80,7 +83,7 @@
     args_fn = None
     result_fn = None
     try:
-        logger.info("creating args file in %s" % dir)
+        log.info("creating args file",dir = dir)
 
         args_fn = os.path.join(dir, "args")
         result_fn = os.path.join(dir, "result")
@@ -94,12 +97,12 @@
         result = pickle.loads(open(result_fn).read())
 
         if hasattr(result, "exception"):
-            logger.log_error("Exception in playbook: %s" % result["exception"])
+            log.error("Exception in playbook",exception = result["exception"])
 
         stats = result.get("stats", None)
         aresults = result.get("aresults", None)
-    except:
-        logger.log_exc("Exception running ansible_main")
+    except Exception,e:
+        log.exception("Exception running ansible_main")
         stats = None
         aresults = None
     finally:
@@ -176,7 +179,7 @@
                 else:
 		    oprops['ansible_status']='FAILED'
 
-                logger.info(x._task, extra=oprops)
+                log.info(x._task, **oprops)
 
 
         ofile.close()
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/ansible_runner.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/ansible_runner.py
index f9cf70c..b7595f2 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/ansible_runner.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/ansible_runner.py
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@
 from ansible.executor import playbook_executor
 from ansible.utils.display import Display
 from ansible.plugins.callback import CallbackBase
-from xos.logger import observer_logger as logger
+
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 
 class ResultCallback(CallbackBase):
@@ -56,7 +60,7 @@
             'ansible_status': "OK",
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook
         }
-        logger.info("PLAYBOOK START [%s]" % self.playbook, extra=log_extra)
+        log.info("PLAYBOOK START", playbook = self.playbook, **log_extra)
 
     def v2_playbook_on_stats(self, stats):
         host_stats = {}
@@ -73,9 +77,9 @@
         }
 
         if self.playbook_status == 'OK':
-            logger.info("PLAYBOOK END [%s]" % self.playbook, extra=log_extra)
+            log.info("PLAYBOOK END", playbook = self.playbook, **log_extra)
         else:
-            logger.error("PLAYBOOK END [%s]" % self.playbook, extra=log_extra)
+            log.error("PLAYBOOK END", playbook = self.playbook, **log_extra)
 
     def v2_playbook_on_play_start(self, play):
         log_extra = {
@@ -85,7 +89,7 @@
             'ansible_status': self.playbook_status,
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook
         }
-        logger.debug("PLAY START [%s]" % play.name, extra=log_extra)
+        log.debug("PLAY START",play_name = play.name, **log_extra)
 
     def v2_runner_on_ok(self, result, **kwargs):
         log_extra = {
@@ -98,7 +102,7 @@
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
             'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.debug("OK [%s]" % str(result._task), extra=log_extra)
+        log.debug("OK", task = str(result._task), **log_extra)
         self.results.append(result)
 
     def v2_runner_on_failed(self, result, **kwargs):
@@ -113,7 +117,7 @@
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
             'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.error("FAILED [%s]" % str(result._task), extra=log_extra)
+        log.error("FAILED", task = str(result._task), **log_extra)
         self.results.append(result)
 
     def v2_runner_on_async_failed(self, result, **kwargs):
@@ -128,7 +132,7 @@
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
             'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.error("ASYNC FAILED [%s]" % str(result._task), extra=log_extra)
+        log.error("ASYNC FAILED", task = str(result._task), **log_extra)
 
     def v2_runner_on_skipped(self, result, **kwargs):
         log_extra = {
@@ -141,7 +145,7 @@
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
             'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.debug("SKIPPED [%s]" % str(result._task), extra=log_extra)
+        log.debug("SKIPPED", task = str(result._task), **log_extra)
         self.results.append(result)
 
     def v2_runner_on_unreachable(self, result, **kwargs):
@@ -155,7 +159,7 @@
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
             'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.error("UNREACHABLE [%s]" % str(result._task), extra=log_extra)
+        log.error("UNREACHABLE", task = str(result._task), **log_extra)
         self.results.append(result)
 
     def v2_runner_retry(self, result, **kwargs):
@@ -169,7 +173,7 @@
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
             'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.warning("RETRYING [%s] - attempt %d" % (str(result._task), result._result['attempts']), extra=log_extra)
+        log.warning("RETRYING - attempt", task =str(result._task), attempt = result._result['attempts'], **log_extra)
         self.results.append(result)
 
     def v2_playbook_on_handler_task_start(self, task, **kwargs):
@@ -180,9 +184,9 @@
             'ansible_status': "HANDLER",
             'ansible_task': task.get_name().strip(),
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
-            'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
+            # 'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.debug("HANDLER [%s]" % task.get_name().strip(), extra=log_extra)
+        log.debug("HANDLER", task = task.get_name().strip(), **log_extra)
 
     def v2_playbook_on_import_for_host(self, result, imported_file):
         log_extra = {
@@ -194,7 +198,7 @@
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
             'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.debug("IMPORT [%s]" % imported_file, extra=log_extra)
+        log.debug("IMPORT", imported_file =imported_file, **log_extra)
         self.results.append(result)
 
     def v2_playbook_on_not_import_for_host(self, result, missing_file):
@@ -207,7 +211,7 @@
             'ansible_playbook': self.playbook,
             'ansible_host': result._host.get_name()
         }
-        logger.debug("MISSING IMPORT [%s]" % missing_file, extra=log_extra)
+        log.debug("MISSING IMPORT", missing = missing_file, **log_extra)
         self.results.append(result)
 
 class Options(object):
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/backend.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/backend.py
index 3d3255a..656c3cd 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/backend.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/backend.py
@@ -24,15 +24,17 @@
 from synchronizers.new_base.event_loop import XOSObserver
 from synchronizers.new_base.model_policy_loop import XOSPolicyEngine
 from synchronizers.new_base.modelaccessor import *
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
+
 from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 watchers_enabled = Config.get("enable_watchers")
 
 if (watchers_enabled):
     from synchronizers.new_base.watchers import XOSWatcher
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
 
 class Backend:
 
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@
     def load_sync_step_modules(self, step_dir):
         sync_steps = []
 
-        logger.info("Loading sync steps from %s" % step_dir)
+        log.info("Loading sync steps", strp_dir = step_dir)
 
         for fn in os.listdir(step_dir):
             pathname = os.path.join(step_dir,fn)
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@
                     if inspect.isclass(c) and issubclass(c, SyncStep) and hasattr(c,"provides") and (c not in sync_steps):
                         sync_steps.append(c)
 
-        logger.info("Loaded %s sync steps" % len(sync_steps))
+        log.info("Loaded sync steps", count = len(sync_steps))
 
         return sync_steps
 
@@ -87,7 +89,7 @@
                     watcher_thread = threading.Thread(target=watcher.run,name='watcher')
                     watcher_thread.start()
         else:
-            logger.info("Skipping observer and watcher threads due to no steps dir.")
+            log.info("Skipping observer and watcher threads due to no steps dir.")
 
         # start model policies thread
         policies_dir = Config.get("model_policies_dir")
@@ -96,7 +98,7 @@
             model_policy_thread = threading.Thread(target=policy_engine.run, name="policy_engine")
             model_policy_thread.start()
         else:
-            logger.info("Skipping model policies thread due to no model_policies dir.")
+            log.info("Skipping model policies thread due to no model_policies dir.")
 
         while True:
             try:
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/backend_modelpolicy.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/backend_modelpolicy.py
index df6e183..58ef32f 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/backend_modelpolicy.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/backend_modelpolicy.py
@@ -22,8 +22,11 @@
 import time
 from syncstep import SyncStep
 from synchronizers.new_base.event_loop import XOSObserver
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
+
 from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 watchers_enabled = Config.get("enable_watchers")
 
@@ -31,8 +34,6 @@
 if (watchers_enabled):
     from synchronizers.new_base.watchers import XOSWatcher
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
-
 class Backend:
     def run(self):
         # start model policies thread
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@
             model_policy_thread.start()
         else:
             model_policy_thread = None
-            logger.info("Skipping model policies thread due to no model_policies dir.")
+            log.info("Skipping model policies thread due to no model_policies dir.")
 
         while True:
             try:
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/dependency_walker_new.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/dependency_walker_new.py
index 11c6ce1..fa7e5ed 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/dependency_walker_new.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/dependency_walker_new.py
@@ -30,9 +30,10 @@
 from xosconfig import Config
 import json
 
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 missing_links = {}
 
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@
             except AttributeError:
                 if not missing_links.has_key(model + '.' + link):
                     print "Model %s missing link for dependency %s" % (model, link)
-                    logger.log_exc("WARNING: Model %s missing link for dependency %s." % (model, link))
+                    log.exception("WARNING: Model missing link for dependency.", model = model, link = link)
                     missing_links[model + '.' + link] = True
 
         if (peer):
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/diag.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/diag.py
index 900af73..18b54ad 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/diag.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/diag.py
@@ -18,9 +18,9 @@
 import json
 
 from xosconfig import Config
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging, logger
+from multistructlog import create_logger
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 
 def update_diag(diag_class, loop_end=None, loop_start=None, syncrecord_start=None, sync_start=None,
@@ -54,5 +54,5 @@
         diag.backend_register = json.dumps(br)
         diag.save()
     except:
-        logger.log_exc("Exception in update_diag")
+        log.exception("Exception in update_diag")
         traceback.print_exc()
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/djangoaccessor.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/djangoaccessor.py
index f833777..cb0de92 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/djangoaccessor.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/djangoaccessor.py
@@ -25,8 +25,10 @@
 from django import setup as django_setup # django 1.7
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
 
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 class DjangoModelAccessor(ModelAccessor):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -82,15 +84,15 @@
         except Exception as e:
             from django import db
             if "connection already closed" in traceback.format_exc():
-                logger.error("XXX connection already closed")
+                log.error("XXX connection already closed")
                 try:
                     #                       if db.connection:
                     #                           db.connection.close()
                     db.close_old_connections()
-                except:
-                    logger.log_exc("XXX we failed to fix the failure")
+                except Exception, e:
+                    logger.exception("XXX we failed to fix the failure", e = e)
             else:
-                logger.log_exc("XXX some other error")
+                logger.exception("XXX some other error")
 
     def obj_exists(self, o):
         return (o.pk is not None)
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/error_mapper.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/error_mapper.py
index 3678629..5617d20 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/error_mapper.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/error_mapper.py
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging, logger
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
-
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 class ErrorMapper:
     def __init__(self, error_map_file):
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
                     k, v = map(lambda i: i.rstrip(), splits)
                     self.error_map[k] = v
         except:
-            logger.info('Could not read error map')
+            log.info('Could not read error map')
 
     def map(self, error):
         return self.error_map[error]
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/event_loop.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/event_loop.py
index 11ebd7d..91d82f7 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/event_loop.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/event_loop.py
@@ -27,8 +27,12 @@
 import pprint
 import traceback
 from datetime import datetime
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging, logger
+
 from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
+
 from synchronizers.new_base.steps import *
 from syncstep import SyncStep, NullSyncStep
 from toposort import toposort
@@ -50,8 +54,6 @@
     UNDERLINE = '\033[4m'
 
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
-
 
 class StepNotReady(Exception):
     pass
@@ -109,14 +111,14 @@
         self.event_cond.release()
 
     def wake_up(self):
-        logger.info('Wake up routine called. Event cond %r' % self.event_cond)
+        log.info('Wake up routine called. Event cond %r' % self.event_cond)
         self.event_cond.acquire()
         self.event_cond.notify()
         self.event_cond.release()
 
     def load_sync_steps(self):
         dep_path = Config.get("dependency_graph")
-        logger.info('Loading model dependency graph from %s' % dep_path)
+        log.info('Loading model dependency graph from %s' % dep_path)
         try:
             # This contains dependencies between records, not sync steps
             self.model_dependency_graph = json.loads(open(dep_path).read())
@@ -138,7 +140,7 @@
             # FIXME `pl_dependency_graph` is never defined, this will always fail
             # NOTE can we remove it?
             backend_path = Config.get("pl_dependency_graph")
-            logger.info(
+            log.info(
                 'Loading backend dependency graph from %s' %
                 backend_path)
             # This contains dependencies between backend records
@@ -151,7 +153,7 @@
                     self.model_dependency_graphp[k] = v
 
         except Exception as e:
-            logger.info('Backend dependency graph not loaded')
+            log.info('Backend dependency graph not loaded')
             # We can work without a backend graph
             self.backend_dependency_graph = {}
 
@@ -199,22 +201,20 @@
         self.deletion_dependency_graph = invert_graph(step_graph)
 
         pp = pprint.PrettyPrinter(indent=4)
-        logger.debug(pp.pformat(step_graph))
+        log.debug(pp.pformat(step_graph))
         self.ordered_steps = toposort(
             self.dependency_graph, phantom_steps + map(lambda s: s.__name__, self.sync_steps))
         self.ordered_steps = [
             i for i in self.ordered_steps if i != 'SyncObject']
 
-        logger.info("Order of steps=%s" % self.ordered_steps)
-
         self.load_run_times()
 
     def check_duration(self, step, duration):
         try:
             if (duration > step.deadline):
-                logger.info(
-                    'Sync step %s missed deadline, took %.2f seconds' %
-                    (step.name, duration))
+                log.info(
+                    'Sync step missed deadline',
+                    step_name = step.name, duration = duration)
         except AttributeError:
             # S doesn't have a deadline
             pass
@@ -233,9 +233,9 @@
             if (time_since_last_run < step.requested_interval):
                 raise StepNotReady
         except AttributeError:
-            logger.info(
-                'Step %s does not have requested_interval set' %
-                step.__name__)
+            log.info(
+                'Step does not have requested_interval set',
+                step_name = step.__name__)
             raise StepNotReady
 
     def load_run_times(self):
@@ -306,9 +306,9 @@
             step = self.lookup_step_class(S)
             start_time = time.time()
 
-            logger.debug(
-                "Starting to work on step %s, deletion=%s" %
-                (step.__name__, str(deletion)))
+            log.debug(
+                "Starting to work on steps",
+                step_name = step.__name__, deletion = str(deletion))
 
             dependency_graph = self.dependency_graph if not deletion else self.deletion_dependency_graph
             # if not deletion else self.deletion_step_conditions
@@ -328,28 +328,16 @@
             if (has_deps):
                 for d in deps:
                     if d == step.__name__:
-                        logger.debug(
-                            "   step %s self-wait skipped" %
-                            step.__name__)
                         go = True
                         continue
 
                     cond = step_conditions[d]
                     cond.acquire()
                     if (step_status[d] is STEP_STATUS_WORKING):
-                        logger.debug(
-                            "  step %s wait on dep %s" %
-                            (step.__name__, d))
                         cond.wait()
-                        logger.debug(
-                            "  step %s wait on dep %s cond returned" %
-                            (step.__name__, d))
                     elif step_status[d] == STEP_STATUS_OK:
                         go = True
                     else:
-                        logger.debug(
-                            "  step %s has failed dep %s" %
-                            (step.__name__, d))
                         go = False
                         failed_dep = d
                     cond.release()
@@ -359,7 +347,6 @@
                 go = True
 
             if (not go):
-                logger.debug("Step %s skipped" % step.__name__)
                 self.failed_steps.append(step)
                 my_status = STEP_STATUS_KO
             else:
@@ -392,14 +379,10 @@
                     self.check_schedule(sync_step, deletion)
                     should_run = True
                 except StepNotReady:
-                    logger.info('Step not ready: %s' % sync_step.__name__)
                     self.failed_steps.append(sync_step)
                     my_status = STEP_STATUS_KO
                 except Exception as e:
-                    logger.error('%r' % e)
-                    logger.log_exc(
-                        "sync step failed: %r. Deletion: %r" %
-                        (sync_step, deletion))
+                    log.error('%r' % e)
                     self.failed_steps.append(sync_step)
                     my_status = STEP_STATUS_KO
 
@@ -407,10 +390,6 @@
                     try:
                         duration = time.time() - start_time
 
-                        logger.debug(
-                            'Executing step %s, deletion=%s' %
-                            (sync_step.__name__, deletion))
-
                         failed_objects = sync_step(
                             failed=list(
                                 self.failed_step_objects),
@@ -421,20 +400,12 @@
                         if failed_objects:
                             self.failed_step_objects.update(failed_objects)
 
-                        logger.debug(
-                            "Step %r succeeded, deletion=%s" %
-                            (sync_step.__name__, deletion))
                         my_status = STEP_STATUS_OK
                         self.update_run_time(sync_step, deletion)
                     except Exception as e:
-                        logger.error(
-                            'Model step %r failed. This seems like a misconfiguration or bug: %r. This error will not be relayed to the user!' %
-                            (sync_step.__name__, e))
-                        logger.log_exc("Exception in sync step")
                         self.failed_steps.append(S)
                         my_status = STEP_STATUS_KO
                 else:
-                    logger.info("Step %r succeeded due to non-run" % step)
                     my_status = STEP_STATUS_OK
 
             try:
@@ -444,14 +415,13 @@
                 my_cond.notify_all()
                 my_cond.release()
             except KeyError as e:
-                logger.debug('Step %r is a leaf' % step)
                 pass
         finally:
             try:
                 model_accessor.reset_queries()
             except:
                 # this shouldn't happen, but in case it does, catch it...
-                logger.log_exc("exception in reset_queries")
+                log.error("exception in reset_queries")
 
             model_accessor.connection_close()
 
@@ -460,9 +430,9 @@
             return
 
         while True:
-            logger.debug('Waiting for event')
+            log.debug('Waiting for event')
             self.wait_for_event(timeout=5)
-            logger.debug('Observer woke up')
+            log.debug('Observer woke up')
 
             self.run_once()
 
@@ -501,7 +471,7 @@
                 self.failed_steps = []
 
                 threads = []
-                logger.debug('Deletion=%r...' % deletion)
+                log.debug('Deletion', deletion =deletion)
                 schedule = self.ordered_steps if not deletion else reversed(
                     self.ordered_steps)
 
@@ -510,7 +480,7 @@
                         target=self.sync, name='synchronizer', args=(
                             S, deletion))
 
-                    logger.debug('Deletion=%r...' % deletion)
+                    log.debug('Deletion', deletion =deletion)
                     threads.append(thread)
 
                 # Start threads
@@ -522,7 +492,7 @@
                     model_accessor.reset_queries()
                 except:
                     # this shouldn't happen, but in case it does, catch it...
-                    logger.log_exc("exception in reset_queries")
+                    log.exception("exception in reset_queries")
 
                 # Wait for all threads to finish before continuing with the run
                 # loop
@@ -539,9 +509,5 @@
                 backend_status="1 - Bottom Of Loop")
 
         except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(
-                'Core error. This seems like a misconfiguration or bug: %r. This error will not be relayed to the user!' %
-                e)
-            logger.log_exc("Exception in observer run loop")
             traceback.print_exc()
             model_accessor.update_diag(backend_status="2 - Exception in Event Loop")
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/model_policy_loop.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/model_policy_loop.py
index d03400d..6feb65f 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/model_policy_loop.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/model_policy_loop.py
@@ -17,14 +17,16 @@
 from synchronizers.new_base.modelaccessor import *
 from synchronizers.new_base.dependency_walker_new import *
 from synchronizers.new_base.policy import Policy
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
 
 import imp
 import pdb
 import time
 import traceback
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.DEBUG)
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 class XOSPolicyEngine(object):
     def __init__(self, policies_dir):
@@ -62,10 +64,10 @@
             if (save_fields):
                 d.save(update_fields=save_fields)
         except AttributeError,e:
-            logger.log_exc("AttributeError in update_dep")
+            log.exception("AttributeError in update_dep", e = e)
             raise e
         except Exception,e:
-            logger.log_exc("Exception in update_dep")
+            log.exception("Exception in update_dep", e = e)
 
     def delete_if_inactive(self, d, o):
         try:
@@ -94,14 +96,14 @@
                         if inspect.isclass(c) and issubclass(c, Policy) and hasattr(c, "model_name") and (
                             c not in policies):
                             if not c.model_name:
-                                logger.info("load_model_policies: skipping model policy %s" % classname)
+                                log.info("load_model_policies: skipping model policy", classname =classname)
                                 continue
                             if not model_accessor.has_model_class(c.model_name):
-                                logger.error("load_model_policies: unable to find policy %s model %s" % (classname, c.model_name))
+                                log.error("load_model_policies: unable to find model policy", classname = classname, model = c.model_name)
                             c.model = model_accessor.get_model_class(c.model_name)
                             policies.append(c)
 
-        logger.info("Loaded %s model policies" % len(policies))
+        log.info("Loaded model policies", count = len(policies))
         return policies
 
     def execute_model_policy(self, instance, action):
@@ -121,18 +123,18 @@
             method_name= "handle_%s" % action
             if hasattr(policy, method_name):
                 try:
-                    logger.debug("MODEL POLICY: calling handler %s %s %s %s" % (sender_name, instance, policy.__name__, method_name))
+                    log.debug("MODEL POLICY: calling handler",sender_name = sender_name, instance = instance, policy = policy.__name__, method = method_name)
                     getattr(policy(), method_name)(instance)
-                    logger.debug("MODEL POLICY: completed handler %s %s %s %s" % (sender_name, instance, policy.__name__, method_name))
-                except:
-                    logger.log_exc("MODEL POLICY: Exception when running handler")
+                    log.debug("MODEL POLICY: completed handler",sender_name = sender_name, instance = instance, policy_name = policy.__name__, method = method_name)
+                except Exception,e:
+                    log.exception("MODEL POLICY: Exception when running handler", e = e)
                     policies_failed = True
 
                     try:
                         instance.policy_status = "2 - %s" % traceback.format_exc(limit=1)
                         instance.save(update_fields=["policy_status"])
-                    except:
-                        logger.log_exc("MODEL_POLICY: Exception when storing policy_status")
+                    except Exception,e:
+                        log.exception("MODEL_POLICY: Exception when storing policy_status", e = e)
 
         if not policies_failed:
             try:
@@ -140,7 +142,7 @@
                 instance.policy_status = "1 - done"
                 instance.save(update_fields=['policed', 'policy_status'])
             except:
-                logger.log_exc('MODEL POLICY: Object %r failed to update policed timestamp' % instance)
+                log.exception('MODEL POLICY: Object failed to update policed timestamp', instance =instance)
 
     def noop(self, o,p):
             pass
@@ -150,8 +152,8 @@
             start = time.time()
             try:
                 self.run_policy_once()
-            except:
-                logger.log_exc("MODEL_POLICY: Exception in run()")
+            except Exception,e:
+                log.exception("MODEL_POLICY: Exception in run()", e = e)
             if (time.time() - start < 5):
                 time.sleep(5)
 
@@ -161,7 +163,7 @@
     def run_policy_once(self):
             models = self.policies_by_class.keys()
 
-            logger.debug("MODEL POLICY: run_policy_once()")
+            log.debug("MODEL POLICY: run_policy_once()")
 
             model_accessor.check_db_connection_okay()
 
@@ -182,8 +184,8 @@
 
             try:
                 model_accessor.reset_queries()
-            except:
+            except Exception,e:
                 # this shouldn't happen, but in case it does, catch it...
-                logger.log_exc("MODEL POLICY: exception in reset_queries")
+                log.exception("MODEL POLICY: exception in reset_queries", e)
 
-            logger.debug("MODEL POLICY: finished run_policy_once()")
+            log.debug("MODEL POLICY: finished run_policy_once()")
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/modelaccessor.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/modelaccessor.py
index b53d9d8..7e4dcd4 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/modelaccessor.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/modelaccessor.py
@@ -30,9 +30,10 @@
 from xosconfig import Config
 from diag import update_diag
 
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 orig_sigint = None
 model_accessor = None
@@ -140,11 +141,11 @@
 
     try:
         client.utility.NoOp(Empty())
-    except:
+    except Exception,e:
         # If we caught an exception, then the API has become unavailable.
         # So reconnect.
 
-        logger.log_exc("exception in NoOp")
+        log.exception("exception in NoOp", e)
         client.connected = False
         client.connect()
         return
@@ -177,9 +178,9 @@
             else:
                 missing.append(model)
 
-        logger.info("required_models: found %s" % ", ".join(found))
+        log.info("required_models, found:", models =  ", ".join(found))
         if missing:
-            logger.warning("required_models: missing %s" % ", ".join(missing))
+            log.warning("required_models: missing",models = ", ".join(missing))
             # We're missing a required model. Give up and wait for the connection
             # to reconnect, and hope our missing model has shown up.
             reactor.callLater(1, functools.partial(keep_trying, client, reactor))
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/policy.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/policy.py
index 5877d94..fa01902 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/policy.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/policy.py
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@
     Base Classes for Model Policies
 """
 
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 class Policy(object):
     """ An XOS Model Policy
@@ -34,5 +37,5 @@
     """
 
     def __init__(self):
-        self.logger = Logger(level=logging.DEBUG)
+        self.logger = log
 
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/syncstep.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/syncstep.py
index a67186a..00f103e 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/syncstep.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/syncstep.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 import os
 import base64
 from xosconfig import Config
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging
 from synchronizers.new_base.modelaccessor import *
 from synchronizers.new_base.ansible_helper import run_template
 
@@ -25,7 +24,10 @@
 import time
 import pdb
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.DEBUG)
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 
 def f7(seq):
@@ -147,7 +149,7 @@
                 str(getattr(peer_object, "pk", "no_pk")), obj_class_name(failed), str(getattr(failed, "pk", "no_pk"))))
 
     def sync_record(self, o):
-        logger.debug("Sync_record called for %s %s" % (obj_class_name(o), str(o)))
+        log.debug("Sync_record called for", class_name = obj_class_name(o), object = str(o))
 
         #        try:
         #            controller = o.get_controller()
@@ -208,9 +210,9 @@
             # another spot to clean up debug state
             try:
                 model_accessor.reset_queries()
-            except:
+            except Exception,e:
                 # this shouldn't happen, but in case it does, catch it...
-                logger.log_exc("exception in reset_queries", extra=o.tologdict())
+                log.exception("exception in reset_queries", e = e,**o.tologdict())
 
             sync_failed = False
 
@@ -222,8 +224,8 @@
                     next_run = scratchpad['next_run']
                     if (not backoff_disabled and next_run > time.time()):
                         sync_failed = True
-            except:
-                logger.log_exc("Exception while loading scratchpad", extra=o.tologdict())
+            except Exception,e:
+                log.exception("Exception while loading scratchpad", e = e, **o.tologdict())
                 pass
 
             if (not sync_failed):
@@ -264,9 +266,9 @@
                         o.backend_status = "1 - OK"
                         model_accessor.journal_object(o, "syncstep.call.save_update")
                         o.save(update_fields=['enacted', 'backend_status', 'backend_register'])
-                        logger.info("save sync object, new enacted = %s" % str(new_enacted))
+                        log.info("save sync object, new enacted registered", enacted = str(new_enacted))
                 except (InnocuousException, Exception, DeferredException) as e:
-                    logger.log_exc("sync step failed!", extra=o.tologdict())
+                    log.exception("sync step failed!", **o.tologdict())
                     try:
                         if (o.backend_status.startswith('2 - ')):
                             str_e = '%s // %r' % (o.backend_status[4:], e)
@@ -289,8 +291,8 @@
                     try:
                         scratchpad = json.loads(o.backend_register)
                         scratchpad['exponent']
-                    except:
-                        logger.log_exc("Exception while updating scratchpad", extra=o.tologdict())
+                    except Exception,e:
+                        log.exception("Exception while updating scratchpad", e = e, **o.tologdict())
                         scratchpad = {'next_run': 0, 'exponent': 0, 'last_success': time.time(), 'failures': 0}
 
                     # Second failure
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/watchers.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/watchers.py
index 5cda613..377ac3b 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/watchers.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/watchers.py
@@ -28,13 +28,15 @@
 
 from datetime import datetime
 from collections import defaultdict
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging, logger
-from xosconfig import Config
+
 from syncstep import SyncStep
 from synchronizers.new_base.error_mapper import *
 import redis
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 
 class XOSWatcher:
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@
         self.redis = r
         self.pubsub = self.redis.pubsub()
         self.pubsub.subscribe(channels)
-        logger.info("XOS watcher initialized")
+        log.info("XOS watcher initialized")
 
     def run(self):
         for item in self.pubsub.listen():
@@ -94,5 +96,5 @@
                             step = w.source()
                             step.handle_watched_object(o)
             except Exception as e:
-                logger.log_exc("XOS watcher: exception %s while processing object: %s" % (type(e), e))
+                log.exception("XOS watcher: exception while processing object", e = e)
                 pass
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/xos-policy.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/xos-policy.py
index b24e30a..1452101 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/xos-policy.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/xos-policy.py
@@ -31,12 +31,15 @@
 
 os.environ.setdefault("DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE", "xos.settings")
 from xosconfig import Config
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging, logger
+
 import time
 from synchronizers.new_base.model_policy_loop import XOSPolicyEngine
 from synchronizers.new_base.modelaccessor import *
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
+from xosconfig import Config
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 
 def main():
 
@@ -48,8 +51,8 @@
             _ = NetworkTemplate.objects.first()
             models_active = True
         except Exception,e:
-            logger.info(str(e))
-            logger.info('Waiting for data model to come up before starting...')
+            log.exception("Exception", e = e)
+            log.info('Waiting for data model to come up before starting...')
             time.sleep(10)
             wait = True
 
diff --git a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/xos-synchronizer.py b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/xos-synchronizer.py
index f374d10..fd824e1 100644
--- a/xos/synchronizers/new_base/xos-synchronizer.py
+++ b/xos/synchronizers/new_base/xos-synchronizer.py
@@ -23,14 +23,14 @@
 
 os.environ.setdefault("DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE", "xos.settings")
 from xosconfig import Config
-from xos.logger import Logger, logging, logger
+from multistructlog import create_logger
+
+log = create_logger(Config().get('logging'))
 import time
 
 from synchronizers.new_base.modelaccessor import *
 from synchronizers.new_base.backend import Backend
 
-logger = Logger(level=logging.INFO)
-
 def main():
 
     models_active = False
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@
             _ = NetworkTemplate.objects.first()
             models_active = True
         except Exception,e:
-            logger.info(str(e))
-            logger.info('Waiting for data model to come up before starting...')
+            log.info("Exception", e = e)
+            log.info('Waiting for data model to come up before starting...')
             time.sleep(10)
             wait = True
 
diff --git a/xos/xos_client/xosapi/xos_grpc_client.py b/xos/xos_client/xosapi/xos_grpc_client.py
index f8815ed..38f91c2 100644
--- a/xos/xos_client/xosapi/xos_grpc_client.py
+++ b/xos/xos_client/xosapi/xos_grpc_client.py
@@ -189,20 +189,6 @@
 
     return args
 
-def setup_logging(args):
-    import logging
-    import structlog
-
-    verbosity_adjust = (args.verbose or 0) - (args.quiet or 0)
-    logging.basicConfig()
-    logger = logging.getLogger()
-    logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG - 10*verbosity_adjust)
-
-    def logger_factory():
-        return logger
-
-    structlog.configure(logger_factory=logger_factory)
-
 def coreclient_reconnect(client, reconnect_callback, *args, **kwargs):
     global coreapi
 
@@ -233,8 +219,6 @@
 
     args = parse_args()
 
-    setup_logging(args)
-
     if args.username:
         start_api(reconnect_callback, endpoint=args.grpc_secure_endpoint, username=args.username, password=args.password)
     else: