“Spectre Folk’s latest Vol. 4 evokes history and journeys, both in leader / main songwriter Pete Nolan’s travelogues of places and experiences around the world, and in the band’s reverential nods to musical history / tips of the hat to psych-swirlers of the past. Their first full length since 2012’s Ancient Storm, Vol. 4 heaps more generous servings of layered, lavalamp-drip guitars, lethargic riffery and choogling sunstare moments both epic and subtle. Nolan, now relocated to South Carolina these days, still directs his song energy through and with a band of prime players: Aaron Mullan (Tall Firs / Hallogallo), Mark Ibold (Pavement / Dustdevils), Peter Meehan (Lucky Peach zine) and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth), who despite geographic distance still churn out a cohesive and gorgeous collection of inventive and expansive sounds.

“Begin the Mothership” creeps in with drifty vibe and imagery of the 13th Floor Elevators’ guitarist Tommy Hall in his trough days praying to a Mickey Mouse poster on acid in San Francisco, slowly giving way to an avalanche of cosmic guitars, while “Golden Gooj” revamps a more barren tune from an old Spectre CDR release into a watery raftride down a slow river with Michael Rother’s flanged electric guitar leading the way. The easier-going moments of Spectre Folk circa-2017 offer among the most colorful and rich highlights of this new outing. “Bremsstrahlung” evokes some delicate David Crosby guitar work adrift on a bed of hazy sunset drone, while Shelley’s propulsive drums lead the way through the heavier burners of the record, “Action Ray” and “We’re So Tired,” the latter a frantic melange of Here Comes The Warm Jets-style humidity and wah wah splatter. A sonic celebration of good wine, sunlight, wanderlust, and players whose kinship and shared vocabulary move this latest spectral event into the zone of bliss.” —Brian Turner, WFMU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5jwl_UMxZs

One of the absolutely greatest albums in the history of the UNIVERSE. I get shivers just thinking about it.

Steve is playing on these releases:

Kim Rancourt – Plum Plum

Spectre Folk – Vol. 4

Emma Tricca

Cinnamon Tapes – debut record by Brazilian singer/songwriter Susan Souza produced by Steve and featuring Paulo Kishimoto and Emil Amos.

Lee Ranaldo - Almost Live Session (Joyful Noise Recordings) 7"

Sounds enticing! What's the 411 on this one? The Joyful Noise site doesn't feature it yet.

https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.co...?q=lee+ranaldo

"Lee arrived to our office around 3pm. After checking out the rooftop situation, he decided he would prefer to record indoors in our cavernous, converted power-plant of an office. I had never met Lee Ranaldo in person, though we had corresponded over email in the past (he was on our 2015 Flexi Series, and also contributed some nice words to the Half Japanese promo sticker and video.) Lee decided to record the song "Circular (Right as Rain)", which he informed me was to be released on his upcoming (but at this time, unannounced) album on Mute Records.

Laying down the acoustic guitar and vocals in live takes, Lee first layered vocals, then percussion, then electric guitar, and even broke out my wife's out-of-tune childhood piano. I haven't yet heard the album version of "Circular (Right as Rain)", but Lee describes this version as "a more stripped down version." It's an incredible song, and seeing this guy work in person, it's obvious why he will go down in history as one of the great artists of our time." – Karl Hofstetter

If you're not a current VIP + Singles Series member, you have until June 15th to sign up to receive Lee's Almost Live Session.

thurston and tuff sherm/jorge velez is an odd combination.

Mark Kozelek & Sean Yeaton featuring Steve

http://exclaim.ca/music/article/mark...n_album_stream

our Jef Mertens!!

New Borbetomagus DVD “Borbetomagus: A Pollock of Sound is the first feature-length documentary about the legendary improv / noise group Borbetomagus. Filmmaker Jef Mertens brings a raw, urgent, and unpolished vision focusing on a band that has spent almost four decades defining and redefining not just their music, but the boundaries of music itself. Band members Don Dietrich, Donald Miller, and Jim Sauter tell their story with the help of artists, writers, photographers, and filmmakers that include noted critic Byron Coley, drummer Chris Corsano, guitarist Thurston Moore, groundbreaking Japanese noise unit Hijokaidan, and Switzerland's masters of "cracked electronics," Voice Crack. Includes never-before-seen archival footage, amazing photographic finds, and previously unreleased recordings.”

oh my, oh my. have you seen this? (sorry posting this to this thread)

Sonic City curated by Thurston Moore!

http://www.wildewesten.be/nl/festival/sonic-city-2017

wow! what a line-up! I didn't know about it yet. That's a two hour drive from me :)
Thanks!

i might see you there then!

Thanks! Some really nice sonics at this thread!

Here's an article about the festival, including video interview with Thurston.
Original page in Dutch
Google Translate link

Tickets were selling so quickly, that it's no longer at De Kreun, but at a new and bigger one: Depart.

thanks!

o.k. checked few hours later and it is sold out already!

Phenomenal lineup indeed. My favorites (*):

Brian Case
Marisa Anderson
Ashley Paul
Nels Cline
Steve Gunn
Joe McPhee
This Is Not This Heat
Wire
...and, of course, the Thurston Moore Group


*Not that I'll be there, but you bastards gotta tape-&-share! :D

Thurston Moore collaborates on the latest release by Fast Speaking Music, Heroes Are Gang Leaders' "The Avant​-​Age Garde I Ams Of The Gal Luxury":
https://fastspeakingmusic.bandcamp.c...the-gal-luxury

Lee is in Brazil working on a new soundtrack.