Saturday, January 19, 2008
new record
Hi, friends, and happy new year!
Hammock has made a new record called "Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow". As some of you might remember, Hammock performed live for the first time ever in Hot Springs last summer for the US debut art exhibition of Riceboy Sleeps. Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow is a studio recording of the sound installation that we wrote and performed for that event. Actually, studio performance is a better way to put it (more on that below). The title of the record comes from a Riceboy Sleeps painting that we love. Theres still a lot of work going on behind the scenes, but we hope to have it out sometime in March.
Were really happy to announce that the front and back cover artwork will be created by Riceboy Sleeps (Jonsi Birgisson, lead singer/guitarist of Sigur Ros and Alex Somers of Parachutes). The six-panel, cardstock CD package will also include contributions by Chuck Dodson (words) and Thomas Petillo (photographs of the band, a first for us).
Being so connected to this music means its difficult for us to describe it, but we feel like this might be our most personal and focused record to date. Its definitely our most ambient release so far, it contains no beats. The guitar parts for these eleven new pieces were recorded live in the studio with very little use of a click track. We recorded these songs exactly as we performed them, so hopefully theres a spontaneity and vulnerability to the music that shines through. The string parts were added in later by our friend Matt Slocum. Working this way was a new experience for us, and we feel like this approach gives this record its own unique personality.
An even bigger challenge than making the recording itself was writing the music. All of these songs had to be written keeping in mind that we would be reproducing it onstage using nothing more than two guitars. The question was, Given the limitations, could we write music that was moving and interesting? Those limitations were really self-imposed, and thats the philosophy behind this record. Some of the visual artists that we admire the most will deliberately limit themselves to working within one particular medium, and we took a similar approach for this recording.
We hope you like the music, and as always, thank you for listening. We will be performing live in 2008, and there will be more news to come on that in the coming months. Hope to see some of you in person this year.
Peace,
Hammock
Posted By Hammock Music at 11:25 AM
1. Maybe They Will
Sing For Us Tomorrow
or iTunes
1. Raising Your Voice...
Trying to Stop an Echo
Trying to Stop an Echo
or iTunes
2. The Sleep Over Series Volume 1
The Sleepover Series Vol. 1 is a record of beatless, ambient, atmospheric soundscapes. It's called Sleepover because it is extremely dreamy and contemplative, consisting mostly of ambient guitar with a few keyboards thrown in. Hammock has one track on the record, but the rest was written, recorded and performed by Marc Byrd.
NEW $10.00
Purchase Now<<
The Sleepover Series Vol. 1 is a record of beatless, ambient, atmospheric soundscapes. It's called Sleepover because it is extremely dreamy and contemplative, consisting mostly of ambient guitar with a few keyboards thrown in. Hammock has one track on the record, but the rest was written, recorded and performed by Marc Byrd.
NEW $10.00
Purchase Now<<
3. Stranded Under Endless Sky: EP
Only $4.99
or iTunes
4. Kenotic - Debut
Only $9.99
or iTunes
>>TWO ALBUMS FOR One PRICE
Purchase Stranded Under Endless Sky and Kenotic together for only $12.00
Purchase Now<<
>>OTHER SPECIALSPurchase Now<<
Purchase the limited edition Stranded Under Endless Sky Vinyl for only $4.00
Purchase Now<<
Purchase Now<<
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Echoes, artwork, release date, etc...
More info, live shows, new record, etc...
new record
News pt. 1...
exciting news...
exciting news...
Madeleine L'Engle R.I.P.
A couple of new videos: Raising Your Voice....Try...
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>>Reviews
Chosen by Echoes listeners as a Top 25 release of 2006, named by Echoes as Top 25 Essential CD of 2006, and Echoes CD of the Month for January, 2007
Pick of the week for Filter Magazine and cited as a Top 10 release for 2006
"Raising Your Voice... Trying to Stop an Echo" is a massive artistic statement. A Gravity¹s Rainbow of ambient chamber rock, it defies the iTunization of the world. You want to hear the whole thing, slipping it on, cranking up the volume and riding it into an infinite sunset. A dream guitar masterpiece" --John Diliberto, Host, Echoes
Named #2 in Silent Ballet's Top 50 Instrumental Releases of 2006. "Hammock follows up its debut album with another collection of utterly indescribable and magnificent songs...This is music that seeps deeply into the pores and goes straight for the heart...Brilliant only begins to scratch the surface..." --The Silent Ballet
9/10. This longing, melodic, melancholic, and thoughtful texture that seems to tug at one¹s heartstrings from start to finishÅ It¹s the type of music that hits you in the gut immediately, Nothing about this album is less than Grade A+ material. It's an album that forces one to reflect on both the highs and lows in one¹s life.² ÂPop Matters
Throughout the eighteen tracks there is a glorious stillness to be found, even when the drums turn the album into a shoegazing masterpiece, the guitars throwing lazy shapes (and the occasional shadow) across the tunes Opening track 'I Can Almost See You' is as beautiful as anything you have heard this year, an album that is best appreciated when heard in its entirety, although it can be neatly summarised by listening to 'Floating Away In Every Direction', the title speaks volumes and the music perfectly matches the sentiments, but don¹t take my word for it, go and get your own copy and be transported. ÂSimon Lewis, Terrascope
Waves of glimmering Cocteau Twins-like guitar traverse over barren landscapes, twinkling like nearby constellations. It is at once distant and extremely joyous, a life affirming, yet somehow Zen-like expression of mood and of depthÅ It's a lot to take in, and each minute is profoundly emotive and heartbreaking. Hammock may require patience, but those who possess it will be rewarded in spades.² ÂJeff Terich, Treble Magazine
Hammock's brand of musical expression is honest, patient, meticulous and acknowledging of the warm-blooded nature of its listeners. It stirs the soul like little other music that's out there in this day in age.² ÂLuke Daniel Rush, Sound the Sirens
"The Hammock sound is unique; harsh yet beautiful, and curiously satisfying while still leaving one wanting more. Raising Your Voice is a work of genius by a duo who are pathfinders in guitar based drone ambience. It's essential listening for anyone interested in ambient music." --Dene Bebbington, Melliflua
"Hammock's sad, epic music bathes the listener in multi-tracked electric guitars swimming in a sea of reverb and gentle distortion, sometimes alone, sometimes with piano, cello and/or a steady rock backbeat. It's a somber, fuzzy sound but crucially a melodic one too, with an appeal to both electronic ambient and indie rock listeners." --Ambient Music Guide
"Just when you thought this amazing band could not attain the splendid heights of their previous efforts, they go ahead and release a jaw dropping disc of pure sonic BLISS at the end of 2006! Not since the golden days of Brian Eno has an artist created devastatingly beautiful atmospheres that transport you in a dreamlike state beyond the stars..." --Dark Symphonies "5/5. Gorgeous. Stunning. Sublime! Deserves no distractions or interuptions from barking dogs, people talking and general noise pollution. A candidate for best ethereal rock record of the year." --Kenyon Hopkin, Advance Copy
Pick of the week for Filter Magazine and cited as a Top 10 release for 2006
"Raising Your Voice... Trying to Stop an Echo" is a massive artistic statement. A Gravity¹s Rainbow of ambient chamber rock, it defies the iTunization of the world. You want to hear the whole thing, slipping it on, cranking up the volume and riding it into an infinite sunset. A dream guitar masterpiece" --John Diliberto, Host, Echoes
Named #2 in Silent Ballet's Top 50 Instrumental Releases of 2006. "Hammock follows up its debut album with another collection of utterly indescribable and magnificent songs...This is music that seeps deeply into the pores and goes straight for the heart...Brilliant only begins to scratch the surface..." --The Silent Ballet
9/10. This longing, melodic, melancholic, and thoughtful texture that seems to tug at one¹s heartstrings from start to finishÅ It¹s the type of music that hits you in the gut immediately, Nothing about this album is less than Grade A+ material. It's an album that forces one to reflect on both the highs and lows in one¹s life.² ÂPop Matters
Throughout the eighteen tracks there is a glorious stillness to be found, even when the drums turn the album into a shoegazing masterpiece, the guitars throwing lazy shapes (and the occasional shadow) across the tunes Opening track 'I Can Almost See You' is as beautiful as anything you have heard this year, an album that is best appreciated when heard in its entirety, although it can be neatly summarised by listening to 'Floating Away In Every Direction', the title speaks volumes and the music perfectly matches the sentiments, but don¹t take my word for it, go and get your own copy and be transported. ÂSimon Lewis, Terrascope
Waves of glimmering Cocteau Twins-like guitar traverse over barren landscapes, twinkling like nearby constellations. It is at once distant and extremely joyous, a life affirming, yet somehow Zen-like expression of mood and of depthÅ It's a lot to take in, and each minute is profoundly emotive and heartbreaking. Hammock may require patience, but those who possess it will be rewarded in spades.² ÂJeff Terich, Treble Magazine
Hammock's brand of musical expression is honest, patient, meticulous and acknowledging of the warm-blooded nature of its listeners. It stirs the soul like little other music that's out there in this day in age.² ÂLuke Daniel Rush, Sound the Sirens
"The Hammock sound is unique; harsh yet beautiful, and curiously satisfying while still leaving one wanting more. Raising Your Voice is a work of genius by a duo who are pathfinders in guitar based drone ambience. It's essential listening for anyone interested in ambient music." --Dene Bebbington, Melliflua
"Hammock's sad, epic music bathes the listener in multi-tracked electric guitars swimming in a sea of reverb and gentle distortion, sometimes alone, sometimes with piano, cello and/or a steady rock backbeat. It's a somber, fuzzy sound but crucially a melodic one too, with an appeal to both electronic ambient and indie rock listeners." --Ambient Music Guide
"Just when you thought this amazing band could not attain the splendid heights of their previous efforts, they go ahead and release a jaw dropping disc of pure sonic BLISS at the end of 2006! Not since the golden days of Brian Eno has an artist created devastatingly beautiful atmospheres that transport you in a dreamlike state beyond the stars..." --Dark Symphonies "5/5. Gorgeous. Stunning. Sublime! Deserves no distractions or interuptions from barking dogs, people talking and general noise pollution. A candidate for best ethereal rock record of the year." --Kenyon Hopkin, Advance Copy
Marc you just made my day!
I am so happy i can't begin to..just awesome!!
March cant come soon enough!
(Brent Diaz)
Stranded under endless sky!
Jeremy!
Stranded under endless sky!
Jeremy!
Also, since you noted the songs are beatless, does this album sound more like the Sleepover Series then? That was some great stuff. Either way, I know it will be ear candy.
We're waiting patiently for you in Denver. ;)
Today all is well Hammock friends!
Nicky
and yes, I can't wait, too!
Which is good their a great label.
Sorry about the double post. I messed up.
The artwork - I dig it.
lost in space,
marc
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