A 2nd album of inexplicable and fascinating genre merging based around Americana roots music sliced and diced with jazz/improv, electronica, and Downtown NY forms, from the core trio of Sam Day Harmet (mandolin), Sana Nagano (violin), and Zachary Swanson (upright bass) with guests Susan Alcorn on pedal steel guitar, avant bluegrass guitarist Stash Wyslouch and Soundpainter Walter Thompson.
Label: 577 Records Catalog ID: CD-577R-5854 Squidco Product Code: 32475
Format: CDR Condition: New Released: 2022 Country: USA Packaging: Digipack tracks 1, 2, 5, 8 recorded at Godelstring studios, in Brooklyn, New York, on May 5th, 2021, by Stephan LaRosa.
Tracks 3, 4 and 6 recorded at The Creamery Studio, in Brooklyn, New York, on Janurary 27th, 2022, by Quinn McCarthy.
4. Historic Western Ghost Town Engulfed In Fire (ft. Walter Thompson) 6:39
5. Midnight On the Ice (ft. Susan Alcorn) 4:42
6. Dying Mechanical Banjo Pt. 1 5:45
7. Dying Mechanical Banjo Pt. 2 2:08
8. Prospect Freeze 5:31
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descriptions, reviews, &c.
"Astroturf Noise returns with their second album for 577 Records, Blazing/Freezing. Since forming in 2017, the trio of Sam Day Harmet (mandolin/electronics), Sana Nagano (violin/effects), and Zachary Swanson (upright bass) has carved out a distinctive sonic space. Here, American roots music coexists with electronics-spiked free improv, Downtown skronk, and on the new album, manipulated samples sourced from Tennessee, Wisconsin, and their home city of Brooklyn, NY. They are also assisted with guest appearances from pedal steel master Susan Alcorn, avant-bluegrass guitarist Stash Wyslouch, and on piano, Soundpainting maestro Walter Thompson.
Written and recorded over the pandemic, Blazing/Freezing reflects the anxiety of our moment: blazing and freezing from the effects of climate change, the anger of our chaotic political environment, the fear of whatever new insanity will come next. But it also reflects an unmistakable joy and playfulness throughout, an excitement for new sounds and musical collaboration. As hyphenated Americans (Jewish-American, Japanese-American, Mexican-American respectively), Astroturf Noise look to American music with mischievous instincts for deconstruction as they try to make sense of a deeply strange America."-577 Records