It’s been five years since the last Phosphorescent album, a dark half decade for most people and especially for those in the performing and creative arts. So it’s not surprising that when Matthew Houck first glimpsed the contours of what would become Revelator, the album seemed like it would be quiet, insular, inward-looking and maybe a bit of a downer. But a funny thing happened when Houck began working and reworking this material. It caught an updraft of hope, of expansiveness, or cosmic revelation. First and second takes with a core band yielded a free, unfettered sound, not perfect or finished, but a foundation for further refinement.
Category: Phosphorescent
Phosphorescent :: House of Cards
One of our favorite releases of 2018 , on C’est La Vie Matthew Houck returned to the path he set out 18 years ago as Phosphorescent. In the five years that lapsed between his previous record , Houck […]
(Catching Up With) Phosphorescent
As the cliche goes, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” But a lot of life and a lot of plans went into the making of C’es […]
Phosphorescent :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview
Phosphorescent :: You Can Make Me Feel Bad (Arthur Russell)
The latest release from the Red Hot Organization is a tribute compilation to the late cellist and experimental composer Arthur Russell, whose work spanned the verse of classical music, disco, country, […]
Phosphorescent :: Muchacho
Believe that album cover for three minutes and twelve seconds. That’s how long it takes for Matthew Houck, the Alabama native better known as Phosphorescent, to finish the high-harmonic tilt […]
Father John Misty & Phosphorescent :: I Would Love You
Welcome to 2012. Here’s one for the last year of our existence, Father John Misty’s duet with Phosphorescent on the Misty original, “I Would Love You.” MP3: Father John Misty & Phosphorescent […]
Phosphorescent :: South (Of America)
Phosphorescent’s sophomore LP, 2005’s Aw Come Aw Wry , is at its heart a folk record; albeit a folk record alternately made up of dirges, brass, waltzes, and choirs—a heady, if low-key, bouillabaisse of sound. […]
Phosphorescent :: Are You Ready For The Country?
Phosphorescent’s take on Neil Young’s “Are You Ready For The Country?” Culled from the companion disc accompanying the new issue of Mojo —Harvest Revisited—Matthew Houck and co. stay true to the arrangement […]
Phosphorescent :: Here’s To Taking It Easy
One of the achievements of Phosphorescent’s ode to Willie was how comfortable Matthew Houck was at interpreting (or reinterpreting) Willie Nelson. It wasn’t just that he carefully selected songs that had […]
It’s Hard to Be Humble (When You’re From Alabama)
Latest offering from Matthew Houck ( Phosphorescent ). Look for the new LP, Here’s To Taking It Easy, out May 11th via Dead Oceans . MP3: Phosphorescent :: It’s Hard to Be Humble (When You’re From Alabama) ——————— + Download […]
Phosphorescent :: The AD Interview
Country music, at its best, is a dark apologetic for mystery. Like most things, it’s got its glitzy side, the side that it’s convinced itself that it wants the public […]
Phosphorescent :: To Willie
Willie Nelson is — no argument — among the five best living songwriters on either side of the pond. Sure, lately he’s become more interested in preserving his image as America’s Stoned […]
Phosphorescent :: A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise
Download: MP3: Phosphorescent :: A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise ——— Amazon: Phosphorescent – Pride + Download Phosphorescent via eMusic’s 25 free MP3 no risk trial offer
Phosphorescent :: The Echo, Los Angeles (Last Nite)
Despite this nagging cold (aka, post-sxsw hangover), last nights sold-out AD Presents show , at the Echo, was the kind of kick in the ass I needed to get me through to the […]