Glass
release, thank you, gigs
Glass is out everywhere as of Friday! Thank you so much to those who have listened and for the enormous support and love I have felt the last few days. Its kind of unreal. Still processing.
Sometimes the cosmic concurrence of things just stuns me. The timing of this release could not have been more apt; a cycle complete, a rotation rapped. I took a walk and listened through the album the morning it came out. Its different hearing this music now that I’ve let go of it. Looking back on the place from which I wrote those songs, standing in the place I am now, brought me to some version of tears. I have so much love and care for who she was. I’m grateful for her faith in resilience, her courage to fall, and her belief that she’d rise again. There’s something very specific about this experience that is summed up in a shifting view of the past. I hope these songs resonate with you in some way or another.
I’m so grateful to everyone who worked on this album with me and helped bring the music to life both recorded and live. Nate Mendelsohn was my fearless and ever-inspiring co-producer, engineer, mixer, and played countless instruments across the tracks. His openness, generosity, and passion for the process made the making so fun. Stephen Becker played bass and lead guitar on most of the tracks. His precision and ideas add so much to the music. Jon Starks played drums wherever you hear drums. He’s the goat and its such a pleasure to play so many different kinds of music together; he nails it all. Adam Brisbin, Camila Ortiz, Shahzad Ismaily, Ben Cruz, and Benny Bock all added crucial elements to this record as well and I’m so eternally grateful for the sounds they contributed which truly brought the songs to life in a whole new way, from vocal harmonies to baritone guitar bends to synth sprays. My dear friends Rachel Andes and Wendy Eisenberg respectively took stunning photos and wrote gorgeous liner notes (which you can read on bandcamp). I’m also deeply appreciative of Eli Crews who mastered the album beautifully and Worm Records for making a home for the music and providing moral and technical support on the distribution end. I’m also full of endless gratitude for all the friends who lent ears along the way, whether it was to the songs as they evolved or to my gabbing.
I learned gobs while writing & recording Glass, both in the technical and emotional realms, but more on that later. For now I will leave you with some links to nice press that the music has received in the last few days, all due to the wonderful and tireless work of Steph Stewart. And of course, scroll down for recs and the gigs upcoming!
A really lovely interview with Zara Hedderman for The Bad Arts where I talk about watching dogs at the park, making mixtapes, and the feeling of holding something for yourself before sharing it.
Glass included in NPR New Music Friday album roundup
Glass featured on Bandcamp Daily with a really nice interview with Michal Wieczorek where I talk about playing Gamelan music, Anne Carson, and the differences between songwriting and instrumental composition.
Milwaukee’s Shepherd Express write-up where my voice is flatteringly and astoundingly compared to Aimee Mann’s, Jon is likened to Ringo, and Stephen to Paul.
What I’m listening to:
Hiding Places - The Secret To Good Living
Andrew Hill - Live at Montreux
fif - fif
Travesía - Ni un Minuto Más de Dolor
Liz Phair - whitechocolatespaceegg
What I’m reading:
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson (reread)
On the Calculation of Volume: vol. IV by Solvej Balle
Upcoming August Shows:
8.5 duo songs with Stephen Becker at Threes Brewing - epic bill with Ian Davis Rock Band and Whait (Wendy & Mari)
8.7 Peter Apfelbaum Hieroglyphics Quartet at Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church in Harlem
8.8 solo style songs at Stone Circle - sharing the night with Stefani Bondari and Ruby Joanna
8.9 Ski Team at Ilegal Mezcal in Greenpoint
8.12 Group of Five (Spenser Naess, Josh Halper, Aidan Cafferty, Gabe Lee, and me) at Dada Bar
8.15 Tsons of Tsunami at Postcard Brewing in The Rockaways
8.16 Peter Apfelbaum Hieroglyphics Sextet at Brooklyn Museum Summer Jazz Series
8.23 Flute Choir at Life World for Gross World Music Fest
P.S. I have cassettes for sale on Bandcamp and I will mail them to you with a sweet little surprise included or you can snag one at an upcoming show! Stay tuned for info on September release show…
Much love,
N