Tyondai Braxton, José González guest on Savath Savalas LP; Prefuse produces Japanese MC Forget pigs-- 2007 is shaping up to be the year of the Herren. As in, . The / / mastermind returns this spring with a Prefuse double-album, a new Savath LP, and even some trans-Pacific production work.
But first, the Prefuse double-disc. It has been a joy to make, yet possibly the hardest, Herren told Pitchfork recently via e-mail. Of the two records, one contains the next round of beats and madness, while on the other Prefuse took the beats in question and notated [them] via cello, flute, clarinet, and voice into what some would consider modern classical or heavily influenced by italian soundtracks.
Those curious enough and interested in those beats being interpreted as compositions will see a side of my music that I m not even used to, according to Herren. Look for Prefuse s as-yet-untitled two-scooper this June on .
Since preparing two albums just isn t enough, Herren s also gearing up to reveal the latest Savath Savalas disc, which will tentatively release in June.
Golden Pollen follows up 2004 s full-length and EP and features guest appearances from Herren s wife/A Cloud Mireya co-conspirator/School of Seven Bells member Claudia Deheza, Warp labelmate and Battles principal Tyondai Braxton, Triosk drummer Laurence Pike, and car commercial crooner Jos e Gonz a lez, who kills it in his Argentine accent that no one has gotten the pleasure to hear yet.
Despite the guest spots, Golden Pollen consists mainly of me alone with a guitar and whatever else, said Herren. The disc, produced in part by John McEntire (of Tortoise and the Sea and Cake) and mastered by Dave Cooley (who s mastered or produced everything from J Dilla to Silversun Pickups to Karen Dalton), features cover art by Soft Circle s Hisham Bharoocha.
According to Herren, Golden Pollen presents another challenge [to] people s patience in transcending language in music, as it is still strictly in Espa ol lyrically once again. I m just trying to send all the love I ve gotten back with this one. I really want people to hear music related to my culture and other cultures without any novelty or going over the top with it.
In related news, Hisham s brother Hashim (anagrams! cute!) and Herren have been working with veteran Japanese MC , who s collaborated with Boredoms Eye, among others.
Prefuse produced Twigy s latest, Akasatana, and composed all the beats. The disc, out via Rush Japan in spring, features guest appearances by Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Murs and the Grouch, Aloe Blacc, and more.
It s the weirdest album I ve ever had to produce, just based on the variation and diversity of the tracks, said Herren.
I watched him choose the most fucked up and challenging beats to calmly write to...
I had to actually think twice about it because some seemed way too noisy or not so MC-friendly.
Of course, it took several listens to take it all in but I was beyond impressed. Here is this calm, humble, quiet man, just throwing fire back at me over odd beats from my entire catalog.
Prefuse doesn t have any immediate tour plans, but according to his website he ll be playing gigs in April with Battles. has added April dates to her bi-continental tour, which is now whittled down to its U.S.
leg. Jon Rauhouse joins her for most shows, though she will also play dates with Sonny Smith and Matt Pond PA as well as country elders Emmylou Harris and Charlie Louvin.
Case also has a trio of shows with , two of which are at festivals: Langerado and Coachella.
The Scottish , which takes place in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow from April 25-29, has announced its lineup.
A partial list of the artists who have signed on to play Triptych this year includes Cat Power, CSS, Califone, Field Music, Fujiya Miyagi, Ratatat, Damo Suzuki, Simian Mobile Disco, the Twilight Sad, Einsturzende Neubauten, Black Lips, Electrelane, Espers, Idlewild, Gruff Rhys, Lindstr m, Bat for Lashes, Marley Marl, the Cinematic Orchestra, Pajo, Erol Alkan, Prinzhorn Dance School, Various Productions, Stuart Braithwaite, Emma Pollock, Micah P. Hinson, Prins Thomas, Sons Daughters, Terry Riley, Aidan Moffat, Alasdair Roberts, Boom Bip, Chris Beans Geddes, and the Funkmasters (featuring Fred Wesley, Bernie Worrell, Clyde Stubblefield, and John Jabo Starks).
DJ Premier will also take time out from hanging with Christina Aguilera to head to Scotland.
If you recognize a few of these names as part of another group, it s because quite a few of them contributed to the Ballads of the Book compilation, and there will be an all-day event at the festival featuring Ballads of the Book artists in readings, recitals, one-off collaborations, DJ sets, and other performances. There is also a film portion of Triptych, which includes screenings of Johnny Cash: Live at San Quentin, two movies devoted to Nick Drake (A Skin Too Few and A Place to Be), one devoted to Love s Arthur Lee (Love Story), Beat Kings: The History of Hip Hop, and Jim Jarmusch s Down by Law, which features Tom Waits.
First single, backed with Four Tet remix, out in May It s been four long years since hit us with microhouse gem , and three since the equally delicious EP. In the meantime Dear s put in many hours under his club alias , plus he s been mixing and remixing and DJing and just generally looking quite dapper, I dare say.
On June 5, quite dapper Dear returns at last with Asa Breed, his second full-length proper.
will deliver the 12-track set in CD and double-LP formats, but before that, they ll treat the world s lounges and dancefloors to first single Deserter . Out May 8, this 10 comes backed with a Four Tet remix and a non-album cut called You Know What I Would Do . Look for an exclusive stream of the single in Forkcast very soon.
Asa Breed, meanwhile, collects music Detroit-based Dear s been cooking up over the past few years. He recorded parts of it in the Motor City, and others in Texas, his original home. Said Dear, A lot of the record deals with abstractions of human relationships.
I didn t realize until afterwards that this was the theme of the record because when I write it s spontaneous and ideas come quickly-- but it s very much a record about love.
This record about love features a guest appearance by Dear s labelmates Mobius Band on a track named, yes, Elementary Lover . Not to be confused, of course, with or .
Dear and a new three piece band will debut Asa Breed at two very special April gigs in Detroit and Chicago. Before that, he plays a handful of dates under his Audion guise, including the Winter Music Conference in Miami. Do you have a news tip for us?
Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered?
You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.
News RSS