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.
released February 17, 2023
Sam Day Harmet: Mandolin/fx/op-z
Sana Nagano: Violin/fx
Zachary Swanson: Bass
Guest musicians:
Susan Alcorn: Pedal steel (tracks 2, 5)
Stash Wyslouch: Acoustic guitar (track 3)
Walter Thompson: Piano (track 4)
Tracks 1, 2, 5, 8 recorded by Stephen LaRosa at Godelstring Studios, Brooklyn, NY on May 5th, 2021
Tracks 3, 4, 6, 7 recorded by Quinn McCarthy at The Creamery Studio, Brooklyn, NY on January 27th, 2022
Mixed and mastered by Colin Marston
Cover art by Janelle Krone
Graphic design by Sergio Vezzali
Graphic files preparation by Mark Smith
Songs written by Sam Day Harmet (BMI)
astroturfnoise.com
577 Records is an independent record label
based in Brooklyn, New York
operating since 2001
577 Records
Brooklyn, New York
www.577records.com
©+℗ 2023