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Bryce & Sufjan & Shara Sitting in a Tree - October 09, 2009

Last week on Pitchfork, one could find a strange plethora of Brassland-related stories detailing the various doings of Bryce Dessner, Sufjan Stevens, and My Brightest Diamond's Shara Worden. We thought we'd compile them below for your convenience.

The lead item was an announcement regarding Clogs' new song, titled "We Were Here," that features vocals from both Sufjan and Shara. Pitchfork's description was rather accurate: "an airy, delicately orchestrated affair with the voices of Stevens and Worden floating over a complicated bed of acoustic instruments." To listen to the previously unreleased jam, check out Asthmatic Kitty's AK Radio.

Later in the afternoon, another story was posted regarding Bryce's work on Lowell Brams's Music for Insomnia. The album, created by Sufjan's stepfather, is part of Asthmatic Kitty's Library Catalog Music, a group of records that are (as described by Asthmatic Kitty) "designed for possible use in films and television, background sounds for home or office, or personal needs, such as relaxation, stimulation, meditation, concentration, or elevation." It's way better than Muzak.

The final item from the Pitchfork mini-extravaganza was a story on The Long Count. Describing the piece as a "National/Breeders Art Project," the story mentions the usual suspects: Bryce, Aaron, and Matt (from The National); Kim and Kelley Deal (from the Breeders); and Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond). As a reminder, the piece will be performed October 28th, 30th, and 31st at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival.

As a teaser, you can listen to this streaming audio, recorded during a show earlier this year at the University of Illinois's Krannert Center:

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Buke & Gass Receive Press, Set Release Date, Tour in September - August 10, 2010

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRE-SALE of BUKE & GASS's MOST-EXCELLENT DEBUT LP RIPOSTE The latest member of the Brassland family has been out and about, playing shows, conducting interviews, and receiving press. We thought we'd compile some of the media attention for your convenience, starting with this interview at Village Voice, which provided the lowdown on "Medulla Oblongata" (it's about "the trials of miscommunication"), Aron's early instrument designs (thumb pianos, talking drums), and where to find a good lunch in Brooklyn (Calexico in Columbia Heights). TimeOut NY's piece on the band cross-referenced ....continue....

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Clogs Release "Last Song" Video and 3-Song EP - August 03, 2010

Last week, Clogs released a video for their latest single, "Last Song," on Pitchfork.tv. Directed by twin brothers Benjamin and Stefan Ramirez Perez, the video layers animation over traditionally filmed images to gracefully show a fragmented narrative in which two characters shift between isolation and interaction. The tune itself features The National's Matt Berninger (pictured at left with daughter Isla on the latest cover of Under the Radar), whose baritone enters a minute and a half in. You can watch the video below. In addition to the video, Clogs are releasing the digital-only Last Song EP. ....continue....

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The National on Colored Vinyl, $5 digital deal - July 18, 2010

The last few months have been exciting ones for The National, and we've been trying to match that excitement with plans for the back catalog. First off you can get their debut The National (s/t) right now as one of Amazon.com's $5.00 digital deals. It will be up there for the rest of July. More exciting is that are new pressings of the band's Brassland back catalog on vinyl. Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers vinyl will be available in stores on July 20th; The National (s/t) will be available in stores in the first week ....continue....

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Reports from the Road (not) by Bryan Devendorf (Glastonbury, Part 4) - July 02, 2010

In our past three news posts, The National's designated rhythm specialist Bryan Devendorf has given us a taste of what life is like working in a "mid level band" (his words, not ours). It involves NPR, car services, trans-continental flights, and an awful lot of rumination. Today, however, brings something new - namely, pictures. While Bryan chose to express himself through wry, stream of consciousness prose, guitarist Aaron Dessner and bassist Scott Devendorf took some snaps with their cameras. We thought we'd post some of our favorites - complete with pithy captions - for your viewing ....continue....