(Artwork by Anita Santiago)

Release Date: Sept.9, 2008

‘Kicking Bird’

Click here for free download of ‘Kicking Bird’, and to stream ‘Horsetail’, also from TEN STONES.

Behind the scenes photos and audio from the second session of Soul-Junk’s long-anticipated 1960! Coming soon, behind the scenes photos from the first 1960 session in Oct ‘07!

Click below to hear cellist Jie Jin and Joshua Stamper working on finding just the right sound for the record.

Probably the first time Soul-Junk has ever been conducted.

Glen and Jie

Glen, Jie, and Joshua (notice that Jie is the only one working…)

Hmmmm…

Hrrmmmmm….

Ah-ha!….

We’d like to thank you for the pleasure of sharing ‘A Familyre Christmas - Vol. 1′ with you all. It was an exciting project, and so much fun to have everyone involved.

If you missed the download window, don’t despair. There is a high likelihood it will be made available again next Christmas season, along with Vol.2!

The complete track listing for Vol.1:

1: ‘Christmas Eve Nite’ - Danielson
2: ‘For There Is Born A Child’ - Lenny Smith
3: ‘Plant A Little Fir Tree’ - Half-handed Cloud
4: ‘Dayspring From On High’ - Soul-Junk
5: ‘Pat-A-Pan’ - Leopulde
6: ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ - Dan Zimmerman
7: ‘Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming’ - The Singing Mechanic
8: ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ - Sufjan Stevens*
9: ‘What Child Is This’ - Rachel and Jon Galloway
10: ‘I Wonder As I Wander’ - Woven Hand
11. ‘Christmas Is A Holiday’ - Ben + Vesper
12. ‘Immanuel’ - Joshua Stamper
13. ‘O Holy Night’ - Elin

*Recorded with Daniel, Elin, Lilly, and Ida at
the NJ Recreation Rm over Thanksgiving Weekend (2007).

Have a wonderful 2008, folks!

Love,

Everyone at Sounds Familyre

Unedited interview with ‘Boy’, from “Pitchfoible”: 7/6/07

P.F. - Where do you draw your inspiration?

Boy - What’s an inspiration? I don’t know.

P.F. - Is there a deeper level to what your songs are about?

Boy - No, there’s not.

P.F. - What do you think the next step will be with your music?

Boy - I don’t know yet, I have to think about it.

P.F. - Do you have any words of encouragement for younger artists?

Boy - Mmmmmm. I dunno, I dunno.

P.F. - Anything?

Boy - No, I mean yes. I mean NO! NO! I’m just joking. Yes-no-yes. Yesyesyesyesyes.

P.F. - Who’s your biggest influence?

Boy - Pastor Scott.

P.F. - What about the Beatles?

Boy - Yeah, I love that. I love the Beatle musicians.

P.F. - Parting thoughts?

Boy - Ahhh, no. (Hums Looney Tunes theme).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Dinosaurs Are Big And They Stomp” by Boy

In week one of this series, I mentioned that the catalyst for writing ‘Piggy-Back’ was a particular rhythm that kept popping up in all sorts of unexpected places.

1 & 2 3, 1 & 2 (3), 1 & 2 3, 1 & 2 (3) . . .

Exhibit A:
This is a short clip from a demo (called ‘Red Scare’) that I recorded last spring. It starts out innocently enough, but then that same insidious 3/4 figure crops up again. It has a happy ending though, as our mazurka-rhythm serves as an effective transition into the next section of the piece.

That rhythm sure is catchy. . .

Now, onto ‘Piggy-Back’. A few subtle changes this week. At the behest of our resident composer, Joshua Stamper, I tried to find a counter-melody to compliment the rhythmic insistence of the principal melody. After quite a few failed attempts (and a downright disaster with a sitar), this hesitant, late-night toy piano line stuck - at least it’s stuck for the time being. I also added a scrapey sound to the transitional section in the middle and some “wow-wow” organ in the chorus at the end.

Here you go. . .enjoy.

Gear list:
From last week:
1920’s Supertone parlour guitar
egg shaker drenched in reverb
Fender Musicmaster shortscale bass recorded direct

Added this week!
Moroccan clay drum
old Supro with really high action for lap steel parts
Penco Les Paul thru zvex fuzz factory recorded direct





Enjoy!

By Leopulde (Ted Velykis)

1 & 2 3, 1 & 2 (3), 1 & 2 3, 1 & 2 (3) . . .

This rhythm will not leave me alone. I think it’s a mazurka, of all things! It’s been popping up all over the place: in songs I’ve been experimenting with, in my improvising . . . I’ve even been strutting down the street in 3/4 time. So, I decided to use it as the basis for its own song. The idea is to find a way to give it credit for its persistence while allowing other patterns to step forward.

I hope you enjoy this first draft. I’m hearing a lot more happening with it. We’ll see how it develops. Let’s hope it develops before the waltz goes out of style . . .

Gear list:
1920’s Supertone parlour guitar
egg shaker - drenched in reverb
Fender Musicmaster shortscale bass - recorded direct

Piggy-Back

We are proud to present to you the world-debut of a new composition by Ben + Vesper’s first-born. Punk-rock like you’ve never heard it before…

Enjoy.

In addition to finishing up his upcoming masterpiece ‘Lobe’, Leopulde has begun a series of pieces that will culminate in an album of compositional gestures more exploratory and intimate, and entirely instrumental. The first installment of this collection, ‘A Healthy Cardiovascular System’ is a nocturne for the 21st century; featuring the evocative sonorities of saw, viola, cello, and piano, supported by the pathetique strains of accordion.

Enjoy!

note: We strongly encourage listening to the following in a nice quiet place, where one is free from interruption (phones off!), so as to provide an atmosphere where wandering minds can go about their business!