Bandcamp Friday : Snail Mail - 'Valentine' ,14% Off, Plus A Plethora Of Matador Catalog Titles Available On BC For The First TIme
Bandcamp are waiving their revenue share today (Friday, February 4) and with the unselfishness being contagious, we’re putting Snail Mail’s ‘Valentine’ on sale for 14% off today only
https://matadorrecords.bandcamp.com/music
New to Bandcamp this week:
Pavement – Slanted & Enchanted: Luxe & Reduxe (digital only)
Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA’s Desert Origins (digital only)
Lucy Dacus – “Kissing Lessons” download / 7” pre-order (Out June 3)
Circuit des Yeux – “The Manatee” (digital only)
And there's new-to-Bandcamp catalog titles from Bailter Space, Body/Head, CEREMONY, Chavez, Kurt Vile, Lucy Dacus, Mary Timony, MUZZ, Perfume Genius, Snail Mail, Spoon, Stephen Malkmus, Steve Gunn, and The New Pornographers.
Muzz - Tiny Desk Concert
Muzz, the project of Paul Banks, Josh Kaufman, and Matt Barrick, present a Tiny Desk (Home) Concert filmed, recorded, and mixed by D. James Goodwin for NPR Music. They play four tracks from their self-titled debut released last summer. The cozy, mellow set is one of the two proper Muzz performances that exist, following their Kingston, NY performance of Arthur Russell’s “Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart” from their recently released Covers EP.
Kaufman describes the filming to NPR Music: “At the very end of a long couple days of rehearsal and taping we, very late at night, Paul jet lagged and the rest plain exhausted, stayed awake a little longer to try a campfire style strum along to some of the songs from our new LP. The result here is our Tiny Desk. It means A LOT to us and we're totally honored to have Muzz be a part of this now legendary series. We also want to acknowledge the fact that it's a privilege for us to even be able to convene in person right now and were very happy that we could use that opportunity to share these stripped down, very human/intimate portraits with y'all.”
Stream / Purchase Muzz
Stream / Purchase Covers
Muzz Online
Website
out today : Muzz - 'Covers' EP
This morning, Muzz have released the digital EP 'Covers', a four-song collection which sees the trio of Paul Banks, Josh Kaufman and Matt Barrick reimagine songs by Arthur Russell, Bob Dylan, Mazzy Star and Tracy Chapman.
'Covers' is as much an illustration of the bands collective inspirations as it is a sonic testament to their expansive imagination and fluidity as a musical outfit, imbuing the singular classics with a sense of wonder and awe that come together to a short but powerfully holistic set.
Arthur Russell favourite "Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart" is deconstructed to its mesmerising foundations, with Banks' baritone gliding over Kaufman's submerged piano and Barrick's gentle shuffle. Bob Dylan's "Girl From The North Country" is recast in a cobweb of acoustic guitars, swooning slides and ghostly vocals that slow-burn to a mystical crescendo. Elsewhere, Banks’ invocation of Mazzy Star’s "Fade Into You" is fraught with raw emotion, set to a backdrop of palpitating percussion and arching strings. Tracy Chapman's "For You" brings the set to a buoyant and moving close, punctuated by fluttering guitar runs, cinematic pads, and Banks' soulful delivery.
Tracklist
1. Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart
2. Girl From The North Country
3. Fade Into You
4. For You
stream / download 'Covers'
Purchase/Stream Muzz
Muzz Online
Website
Video : Muzz - "Nobody Wants A Broken Heart"
(Direction – D. James Goodwin)
In the wake of last Friday's "Live In Kingston" debut online performance, Muzz have released a video for their cover of Arthur Russell's "Nobody Wants A Broken Heart". The studio version of said interpretation can found on Muzz's 'Covers' EP, out this Wednesday (December 9)
stream / download 'Covers'
Purchase/Stream Muzz
Muzz Online
Website
Coming December 9 : Muzz - 'Covers' EP
(photo : Driely S. )Muzz have announced details of a new EP, 'Covers'. The four-track set, which sees the trio of Paul Banks, Josh Kaufman and Matt Barrick reimagine songs by Arthur Russell, Bob Dylan, Mazzy Star and Tracy Chapman, will be released digitally on December 9th.
'Covers' is as much an illustration of the bands collective inspirations as it is a sonic testament to their expansive imagination and fluidity as a musical outfit, imbuing the singular classics with a sense of wonder and awe that come together to a short but powerfully holistic set.
Arthur Russell's 'Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart' is deconstructed to its mesmerising foundations, with Banks' baritone gliding over Kaufman's submerged piano and Barrick's gentle shuffle. Bob Dylan's 'Girl From The North Country' is recast in a cobweb of acoustic guitars, swooning slides and ghostly vocals that slow-burn to a mystical crescendo. Elsewhere, Banks’ invocation of Mazzy Star’s 'Fade Into You' is fraught with raw emotion, set to a backdrop of palpitating percussion and arching strings. Tracy Chapman's 'For You' brings the set to a buoyant and moving close, punctuated by fluttering guitar runs, cinematic pads, and Banks' soulful delivery.
stream / purchase 'Covers'
Purchase/Stream Muzz
Muzz Online
Website
Muzz - Live in Kingston, NY
Muzz have announced Muzz – Live in Kingston NY, the band's first-ever show, playing songs from their eponymous debut album. The livestream event will take place December 4th at 4pm ET, and will commence with a live Q&A with the band. The performance will then be available on-demand for 48 hours. Tickets are available HERE. A limited edition T-shirt created by the band will also be available to ticket buyers.
Filmed at Reade’s Old Kingston Theater in New York, Muzz – Live in Kingston, NY will see the three-piece of Paul Banks (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Josh Kaufman (guitar, keyboard) and Matt Barrick (drums, percussion) joined by musicians Annie Nero (bass, backing vocals), and Stuart Bogie (saxophone, flute, harmonica, clarinet, keyboard) for a full-fledged, never-before-seen rendition of the expansive sound found on the album.
Purchase/Stream Muzz
Muzz Online
Website
2020's Albums Of The Year (And Almost Everything Else) ; 25% Off At The Matador Store
so there's another (possibly less important) campaign happening and we'll be damned if Matador's not gonna figure squarely in the album of the year results. So here's your chance to stuff the (virtual) ballot box and save 25% on any of our vaunted 2020 releases. We're so intent on buying your affections, you can save 25% on anything from the label catalog except preorders.
VIDEO : Muzz - "Summer Love"
Video by Muzz
Collages courtesy of Andrew McGranahan
Animations by Sabrina Nichols
Edited by Paul Banks
Last month, Muzz released their self-titled debut, “an album that bears the tide marks of its creators — Matt Barrick’s jazzy swing, multi-instrumentalist Josh Kaufman’s soft warmth, Paul Banks’s instantly identifiable baritone — but it defies easy categorization” (The FADER). Today, the longtime friends and collaborators present a video for the laid back and nostalgic “Summer Love.” On “Summer Love,” muted organ by Kaufman and flute by Stuart Bogie drift along as the song rides out on the main vibe and vocal line by Banks: “I?m in the race//I?m on the get-go//I wanna skate//I want the XO// Summer love//Summer love ends//Silence is sung we won?t remember.” The video combines “footage Matt shot a few years ago of a deserted drive-through theater, with clips we individually generated during lockdown and the majestically psychedelic collage work of the great Andrew McGranahan. It’s what we feel is a nice visual poem to accompany the song,” says Banks. “Rather than a summer lockdown document, we aimed more to emulate the work of Truffaut, Fellini, or Cassavetes and to capture three stories of romance and solitude. Lofty aspirations, humble result; but we hope you enjoy it even a fraction as much as we did creating it.”
photo by Driely S
stream / purchase 'Muzz'
Muzz Online :
website
VIDEO : Muzz - "Everything Like It Used To Be" (acoustic)
Earlier this morning, Muzz debuted an acoustic performance of "Everything Like It Used To Be' ; the studio version can found on the trio's recently released debut album, 'Muzz'.
stream / purchase 'Muzz'
Muzz Online :
website
VIDEO : Muzz - "Knuckleduster"
Video produced by Muzz
Director of Photography – Derek Sexton Horani
This morning, Muzz release a new single/video from their forthcoming self-tiitled album, “?Knuckleduster?,” which follows the previously released “?Red Western Sky,?” “?Broken Tambourine,?” and “?Bad Feeling?.” Brimming with wall-to-wall guitars, reverberating pianos and a thunderous performance from Matt Barrick, ”Knuckleduster” is Muzz at their most immersive and grandiose. Shot below the American Treasure Tour Museum, t?he “Knuckleduster” video brings the focus to the song’s spacious sonics and musicianship of Barrick, Paul Banks and Josh Kaufman. “?While we were shooting the video for ‘Red Western Sky,’ we discovered this great space underneath the museum. Unplanned, we quickly set up and started filming again - capturing the video for ‘Knuckleduster’ on the same day?,” says Banks. “H?air was greener and times were simpler back then.? ”
stream / download "Knuckleduster"
preorder / presave 'Muzz' (out June 5)
steam/download "Red Western Sky"
Muzz Online :
website
VIDEO : Muzz - "Trinidad" (acoustic)
After last week's at-home live recording of "Bad Feeling", Muzz preview another track from their forthcoming self-titled debut album in acoustic form, "Trinidad" with a DIY video released earlier today (below). 'Muzz', the resulting partnership of Paul Banks, Josh Kaufman and Matt Barrick, is out June 5.
preorder / presave 'Muzz'
steam/download "Red Western Sky"
Muzz Online :
website
VIDEO : Muzz - "Bad Feeling" (acoustic)
Leading up to the June 5th release of their self-titled, debut album, 'Muzz', the new project of Paul Banks (Interpol), Josh Kaufman (producer/multi-instrumentalist and one third of Bonny Light Horseman), and Matt Barrick (drummer of Jonathan Fire*Eater andThe Walkmen), release their first-ever live recording - a performance of “Bad Feeling.” For the video, the trio play from the cities where they’re currently staying home - Banks in Edinburgh, Kaufman in Brooklyn, and Barrick in Philadelphia. Using the available resources in their respective residences, the stripped-down performance can be seen above. The studio version of "Bad Feeling" can be found on 'Muzz', available via all digital services and on LP and CD.
(photo : Driley S)
preorder / presave 'Muzz'
steam/download "Red Western Sky"
Muzz Online :
website
Coming June 5 : Muzz - s/t album ; out today "Red Western Sky" video
"Red Western Sky"
Produced by Muzz
Director of Photography: Derek Sexton Horani
Assistant Camera: Michael Andrade
Muzz, the new project from Paul Banks (Interpol), Josh Kaufman (producer/multi-instrumentalist and one third of Bonny Light Horseman), and Matt Barrick (drummer of Jonathan Fire*Eater, The Walkmen, and Fleet Foxes’ touring band), will release their self-titled, debut album, on June 5th. The album, written, arranged and performed by the trio, is dark, gorgeous, expansive and soulful.
(photo : Driely S.)
Muzz was born out of longstanding friendship and collaboration. Banks and Kaufman have known each other since childhood, attending high school together in Spain before separately moving to New York. There, they independently crossed paths with Barrick while running in similar music circles. They kept in touch in the following years: Barrick drummed in Banks + Steelz and on some of Kaufman's production sessions; Kaufman helped on Banks’ early Julian Plenti solo endeavour; various demos were collaborated on, and a studio was co-bought.
Taking shape at a simmer, the first Muzz recordings date back to 2015. A typical session incorporated demos Banks or Kaufman brought to the table with room for any member to build upon, or with a new skeleton composed during a jam in the live room. All three contributed lyrics and helped shape things vocally (a first for Banks who is usually the sole lyricist).
“Josh has more training as a theory musician while Paul comes from a different perspective,” Barrick says. “You never know how Paul’s gonna approach a song, lyrically and melodically, so it’s always unusual and exciting. Everyone is open to everyone else’s ideas. I think three is a great number of people for a band. We all had a big hand in everything."
Sonically, “the music has this weird, super removed vibe but is also personal and emotional at the same time,” Kaufman says. “If something felt natural in a simple way, we left it. I’d never heard Paul’s voice framed like that—a string section, horns, guitars—we know none of that is visionary but it felt classic and kind of classy.” In fact, the band’s name holds a meaning that serves to describe that very feeling - Kaufman used the word “muzz” to describe the music’s subtle, analog quality and texture.
In conjunction with today’s announcement, Muzz present the galloping “Red Western Sky” with a video, directed and produced by the band. It’s the first video to ever be shot at the immersive, psychedelic American Treasure Tour Museum, a location chosen after a Barrick family visit. The single follows two previously released songs—the sparse and rustic “Broken Tambourine” and “Bad Feeling,” which chimes with melodic introspection. No matter the sonic direction Muzz go, they go there as if effortlessly and with maximum emotional charge.
“Ultimately, the music speaks for itself,” says Banks. “We have a genuine, organic artistic chemistry together. It’s partly a shared musical taste from youth, as with me and Josh, but then it’s also the souls of my friends that resonate with me when expressed through music. I think it’s cosmic.”
preorder / presave 'Muzz'
steam/download "Red Western Sky"
Muzz
Tracklist
1. Bad Feeling
2. Evergreen
3. Red Western Sky
4. Patchouli
5. Everything Like It Used To Be
6. Broken Tambourine
7. Knuckleduster
8. Chubby Checker
9. How Many Days
10. Summer Love
11. All Is Dead To Me
12. Trinidad
Muzz Online :
website
VIDEO : MUZZ - "Broken Tambourine"
"Broken Tambourine"
Production, concept and story by: Paul Banks
Creative Director, artist and animator: Griffin Frazen
Muzz is the new project of Paul Bank (singer of Interpol), Josh Kaufman (esteemed producer/multi-instrumentalist and one third of Bonny Light Horseman), and Matt Barrick (drummer of Jonathan Fire*Eater, The Walkmen, and Fleet Foxes’ touring band). Today, the trio release their first official single/video, “Broken Tambourine”. “Broken Tambourine” begins with sparse, floating piano by Kaufman, before surging with Banks’ rumbling vocals, Barrick’s low percussion, and a lilting clarinet, while an open door during recording brings in the surrounding nature sounds of the studio in Woodstock and augments the song’s spacious atmosphere. Written, arranged and performed by all three, it perfectly encompasses the collaborative essence of Muzz, a group with recordings dating back to 2015, but, cosmically speaking, with seeds planted long ago.
So how did we get here? Why, casually, of course. Banks and Kaufman have been friends since their formative teen years, having attended high school together overseas before separately moving to New York City for further study. They independently crossed paths with Barrick while running in similar music circles. Some years on, they each remained in touch: Barrick drummed in Banks’ project with The RZA, Banks + Steelz, and on some of Kaufman’s production sessions; Kaufman helped on Banks’s early Julian Plenti solo endeavor; various demos were collaborated on; a studio in Philadelphia was co- bought; “what if”s and “we should”s were tossed about. When the opportunity to make music as a trio presented itself, the gentlemen pounced.
While “Broken Tambourine” is the band’s first official song for Matador, earlier this month, Muzz dropped “Bad Feeling” anonymously via Soundcloud. Stereogum recognized it as “a surprisingly loose and low-key indie track that piles on layers of beauty as it goes.” It chimes and slinks with a touch of panache as Barrick’s kick drum pushes the tune along and Kaufman’s Farfisa fills the space. Together, these two initial numbers from Muzz offer an early glimpse into the band’s dark and expansive sound, and genuine artistic chemistry.
stream / download : "Broken Tambourine"
photo : Driley S.
Muzz Online :
website