naturalismo

Andy Cabic is finishing up a new album of covers that includes guests by Vashti Bunyan, Michael Hurley and the Chapin Sisters. The as-yet-untitled new album will be released Spring ‘08. Details are still slowly coming in but expect to hear The Chapin Sisters singing back up vocals on a Townes Van Zandt song and on Elyse Weinberg’s “Houses.” Jonathan  also makes an appearance on it. The album will be Vetivers first full-release on the co-run with Devendra Banhart Gnomonsong label .

Check Gnomonsong in the upcoming months for more info.

Photo (c) by the always lovely Alissa Anderson

More here: Alissa on Flickr

Jana Hunter’s new album There’s no home hit the internet this week but will not see an actual release until April 2nd. Initial responses online are that it’s a grower. I haven’t had time to fully digest it yet but my upon my first listen I was completely blown over with how great it sounds. But why listen to me or anyone else…judge for yourself: Here’s two new tracks from Jana Hunter’s There’s no home

Jana Hunter - Bird

and

Jana Hunter - Vultures

Meanwhile, fellow boat mate and There’s no home contributor Castanets (Ray Raposa) has a new tour only split album with Shapes And Size out on Asthmatic Kitty. Castanets contributes 2 new songs to the split, as well as 2 covers. Here’s his great new cover of Viking Moses’ “One arm around the sinner:”

Castanets - One arm around the sinner

As for Castanets new songs on the split, all I can say is that they’re mind-melting and hauntingly dark. (In a good way)

Visit Jana Hunter @ myspace to order her new album.

and

Castanets @ myspace

Rio en Medio is Danielle Stech-Homsy. Danielle Stech-Homsy is crafting some of the most metaphysically beautiful folk songs that I’ve heard that have come out of naturalismo. Her debut album, The Bride of Dynamite, which was produced by Andy Cabic, comes out on February 14th and features appearances by Sierra Casady (Coco Rosie), Tim Fite, David Coulter and Devendra Banhart. The first single off her album is named “Everyone is Someone’s.” This song is the ear to the eye that was Pans Labyrnth. Hauntingly angelic, the allure of the song sweeps over you as her soft vocals are interposed with a childs laughter and other sound artifacts that help to fulfill her narrative.

Download her new single here:

Rio en Medio - Everyone is Someone’s

Pre-Order her new album here.

Recently signed to Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic’s new record label Gnomonsong, Papercuts is releasing a new album next month and the first single “John Brown” was recently put up on their website. I’m really struggling with the description that the label put up about the album and song. It mentioned that it was richly textured, which I think is a synonym for the sound of air being let out of a hose. Luckly, it doesn’t sound like that and this track shows a lot of promise. “John Brown” starts off with a riff that I can only describe as the james bond theme if it were to be reinterpreted by Brian Jones. From there it bridges into a mellow folk song that is just upbeat enough that its melodic chorus hooks you in.

Papercuts - John Brown

I also recommend going to his myspace page to listen to some tracks from his debut album:

Papercuts Myspace

Gnomonsong is the new record label formed by Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic in parnership with Revolver USA. Banhart and Cabic do not push the paperwork in the label as much as work with the artists.

The label’s first release was Texan singer/songwriter Jana Hunter’s album, entitled Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom, released in October 2005. The second release was a CD version of the self-titled debut of Feathers (April 2006). Releases are expected from ABRA, a NYC family band, as well as Michael Hurley and Danielle Stech Homsy. [wiki], Devendra & Andy Photo (C) Alissa Anderson