Posts

North Americans :: Long Cool World

Long Cool World by ambient country duo North Americans—guitarist Patrick McDermott and pedal steel wizard Barry Walker Jr—unfolds slowly, stretching time nearly to the point of dissolve, ushering in melodies like spring crocuses after a thaw. The peals and textures of Walker’s steel entwine with McDermott’s own gentle picking with a synergy that reveals each player to be of the same diamond mind . . .

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Shizuka :: Heavenly Persona

The Black Editions label continues to do the lord’s work. In recent years, they’ve been digging through the archives of legendary Japanese psych label P.S.F., giving new life to some truly great and often lesser-known records. The latest is Heavenly Persona, the only studio album from Shizuka, which was released on CD back in 1994. A remarkable record — try to imagine Les Rallizes Dénudés making a record with Hope Sandoval and you’re somewhere in the ballpark . . .

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Transmissions :: Adrian Quesada

Today on Transmissions, Adrian Quesada is best known as one-half of The Black Pumas, his duo with singer/songwriter Eric Burton. But Quesada’s musical output is varied: he’s worked with Brownout, a Latin hard rock-tinged outfit, Grupo Fantasma, Adrian Younge, and many more. In 2022, he released his debut solo album, Boleros Psicodélicos, followed that same year by Jaguar Sound. He joined us to discuss his trajectory, his worldwide success, his roots in hip-hop, and much more . . .

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Skydance :: The Fusion of Jazz & Animation

Faith Hubley's experimental short film Skydance opens with a simple message: "Reaching for life in the cosmos." Animated in Hubley's unmistakable visual style with sound provided by playwright and musician Elizabeth Swados, Skydance blended jazz and animation. A further blurring of the lines between mediums can be experienced with a new book edition of Skydance, published by Anthology Editions. Part abstract art book, part storybook, it's a remarkable 2D adaptation of Hubley's one of a kind film . . .

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Bob Dylan :: Pretty Good Stuff | Ep. 16–Live in Japan

Bob Dylan is headed to Japan for his first shows of the year, and Bobcats around the world will mark that gig as the real beginning of 2023. This new episode proves that every time Dylan visits Japan, he leaves behind plenty of Pretty Good Stuff . . .

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Operating Theatre: Spring Is Coming With a Strawberry In The Mouth

Spring may have already arrived as far as the calendar is concerned, but Allchival Records' new Operating Theatre compilation, Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In The Mouth / Rapid Eye Movements, nonetheless suits the season's shift toward verdant growth. Led by producer, composer, and musical maverick Roger Doyle, Operating Theatre was an Irish synth-pop band and avant-garde theatre troupe. These Fairlight-sampler driven synth epics point to the possibility of spring's arrival . . .

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Lonnie Holley :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview

On Lonnie Holley's Oh Me Oh My, the visionary bluesman unearths surreal experiences in hallucinatory, stream of consciousness poetry, backed by feverish, impressionistic jazz, funk and gospel music. Jacknife Lee, the acclaimed Irish producer, assembled the musical backing and incorporated contributions from guest artists, giving Holley’s music a shimmering dreamlike depth. A diverse group of collaborators, including Moor Mother, Michael Stipe, Justin Vernon, Sharon van Etten and Rokia Koné added their voices to these revelatory songs. Today, he joins us to discuss . . .

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Bonus Tracks, Vol. 2: Bobby Hutcherson, The Byrds, Pentangle

We’re back in the CD section, digging through those round shiny things to spotlight some of our favorite bonus tracks. This time around, check out some way-out early 70s jazz-funk, lost West Coast psych jams and spiraling folk rock trips . . .

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The Aquarium Drunkard Show: SIRIUS/XMU (7pm PDT, Channel 35)

Via satellite, transmitting from northeast Los Angeles — the Aquarium Drunkard Show on SIRIUS/XMU, channel 35. 7pm California time, Wednesdays.

34.1090° N, 118.2334° W . . .

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Langendorf United :: Yeahno Yowouw Land

The seeds for Langendorf United—a new quintet led by Swedish composer & saxophonist Lina Langendorf—took root in 2013 when she traveled to Addis Ababa, practicing Ethiopian scales and tonalities while studying the music of Mulatu Astatke, Getatchew Mekuria and Hailu Mergia. Ten years later, she emerges with Yeahno Yowouw Land, a smoldering mind-meld of free, spiritual, ethio-jazz recorded over two days with players from Sweden and Norway . . .

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Transmissions :: Sharon Van Etten

Songwriter Sharon Van Etten joins Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions to discuss the 11th anniversary of her landmark album Tramp, her origins, her collaborators, and of course, her time on Twin Peaks: The Return, and why she was worried watching that show with her son in the house . . .

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James and the Giants :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview

Over his many years perched in the tangled branches of American underground music's family tree, James Jackson Toth has employed many names for his projects, including his own name, the ever-morphing Wooden Wand designation, DUNZA, and more. And now: James and The Giants. He joins us to discuss the personal and sci-fi nature of the record and ponder: What would Neil Young do . . .

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Neil Young :: Time Fades Away (Again)

...a brilliantly raw snapshot, a weirdo masterpiece that trades the celebratory nature of most live albums for uncertainty, experimentation and feral wildness. To celebrate Time Fades Away’s golden anniversary, we’ve compiled an alternate version of the album. Some of it comes from the original Stray Gators tour, some of it comes from much later on. All of it captures the unhinged thrills of the original. Don’t be denied — listen in . . .

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Habibi Funk: The Free Music (Part 1)

The latest installment in the always-winning Habibi Funk series highlights Libyan composer & producer Najib Alhoush’s band, The Free Music. The tellingly titled “Part 1” collection compiles tracks off two 1976 albums from the band, who all in all recorded, and self-funded, ten lps. The premiere selection absolutely smokes—bursting with a technicolor blend of soul, funk, disco, and reggae . . .

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Bandcamping :: Spring 2023

Just in time for another Bandcamp Friday on April 7, we’ve got another selection of recent/recommended releases for your listening pleasure ranging from Agharta-damaged workouts to homemade minimalism. Fill up your cart and hit that “Buy” button . . .

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