Songs on Conceptual Art | Album Feature

First off concept compilation albums can be tough. Maybe it's the narrow focus or simply the fact that their foundation lies on their very novelty, one which may find itself easily growing tiresome. It is perhaps because of this that Song on Conceptual Art makes such a lasting impression. Curated by the team of Crystal Baxley & Stefan Ransom who took Sol LeWitt's seminal art theory text Sentences on Conceptual Art and more importantly artist John Baldessari's video piece "Baldessari Sings LeWitt" as a jumping off point inviting musicians & groups to reinterpret one of the 35 sentences contained in the original text. An interesting idea that proves to be as listenable as the concept is thought provoking.

The compilation boasts exclusive contributions from Lucky Dragons, Jackie-O Motherfucker, Arp, Sun Foot, White Rainbow, Karl Blau, & White Fang to name a few. The results are a highly diverse look into the West Coasts contemporary experimental / art rock scene. Ranging from the atmospheric (L.A. Ladies Choir, Jackie-O Motherfucker) , house / club oriented (Secret Circuit, Art Husband) , shambolic rock (White Fang, Crazy Band), straight up pop (Dunes, Davis Hooker),  & all out weird (Rob Walmart). Yet for the diversity & eclecticism there still remains some unspoken aesthetic thread (besides the fact that no track ventures beyond the 3 minute mark) that ties the music together making for a cohesive listen that I believe can be heard without knowledge of the project. It is not often enough that compilation albums arrive this well curated, thought out, and thoughtfully conceived.

Luckily the Kickstarter created for the project has already reached it's goal with a much time to spare. So we can rest peacefully at night knowing it was lovingly funded. Before I forget the project also has a beautifully designed website where you can read more about the project and stream the compilation. 

Songs on Conceptual Art will be available as a 2x LP via Marriage Records June 1st. 

Tom Greenwood - West Coast Tour & new 7"

Fire Records is releasing a new 7" featuring two songs written and adapted by the trio of Tom Greenwood, Joanne Robertson, & David Cunningham. People may be familiar with these folks from their various musical travels, Greenwood being the principle songwriter and leader of avant-folk group Jackie-O Motherfucker, Robertson's own solo wanderings, & Cunningham's significant production work with groups such as This Heat along with his gallery arts sound practice.

According to the press release "These songs were formed from an inspired evening session of improvising and recording in London in June 2008, at the brick lane studio of David Cunningham. The three musicians were woking together on a performance event at the ICA in London that week, and took the opportunity to try tracking some songs together." And try they did succeeding in the creation of a slow moving musical environment that suits these artists perfectly.

In support of the 7" Tom Greenwood is heading out on a two week solo tour of the west coast this December. The tour will consist of shows beginning in Seattle, WA and down towards Los Angeles, CA. You can check out the current dates below. The shows will consist of classic JOMF material and more recent Greenwood songs and adaptations.

12/2 - Seattle, WA - Vera Project@

12/3 - Tacoma, WA - The Den

12/4 - Olympia, WA - The Guesthouse

12/5 - Woodland, WA - Blackbird Farm

12/6 - Portland, OR - Valentines

12/8 - Davis, CA - Villa Nova ^

12/9 - San Jose, CA - Anno Domini Gallery ^

12/10 - San Francisco, CA - Needles & Pens *

12/11 - San Francisco, CA - Adobe Books*

12/16 - Los Angeles, CA - Synchronicity Space*

12/17 - Los Angeles, CA - Human Resources #

@ Pterodactyl

^ w/ Sun Foot

* w/ Strawberry Smog

# w/ Tara Jane Oneil

Jackie O Motherfucker

Jackie O Motherfucker "Where We Go" by FIRE RECORDS

Jackie O Motherfucker have returned with another full-length titled Earth Sound System, on Fire Records. It sees Tom Greenwood & company following down a similar to path to what they have been mining for a bit now, though still offering the occasional twist, as heard on "Here We Go". The song is propelled by a scuzzy bass line, some off-klitered guitar strums, & Greenwood's vocals located out front resembling a more garage take on classic JOMF tune.

Fire has also put up a mix by Tom Greenwood himself over on their soundcloud. Listening to the mix is akin to swimming through a pool containing a couple of Greenwood & JOMF's sonic influences. While listening to the tracks many of the sounds & musical structures can been seen as informing the sound Greenwood & company have built throughout their 15 plus year career.

Tom Greenwood - Jackie O Motherfucker Mix by FIRE RECORDS

The mix features an eclectic mix of tunes that feature some weirdo experimentation & traditional song form. While finishing my first listen I noticed the striking stylistic ark of the drum machines role within the mix, which begins with a weirdo track that is anchored by the snare hiss of some cheap casio drum machine by The Door & The Window & finishing with the smooth electronic flow of Eddi Flashin Fowlikes "Deep Cover". Definitely worth a listen until the Earth Sound System comes out July 4th.