Vetiver - More Of The Past - Out Now In UK/Europe

01/12/08

"Last year's acclaimed album 'Thing Of The Past' was released on Fat Cat, and this new EP contains many songs that were not included on the album. Containing five previously unreleased songs, 'More Of The Past' is well worth tracking down" - Clash

"…Vetiver positively crackels with an exuberant musicality." - Observer Music Monthly

Originally intended as a precursor to this year’s acclaimed Vetiver album, Thing of the Past, FatCat is pleased to finally present the simultaneous release of companion CDEP, More of the Past, and a limited 7" single, Hey Doll Baby (b/w ‘Miles Apart’), both out today.

Where the album comprised a set of cover versions of songs by some of band-leader Andy Cabic’s favourite artists, offering a joyful and intriguing insight into some of the music that has inspired and informed the band, here are six further previously unreleased songs that inspired them - five on the CD along with one 7"-only song, ‘Miles Apart’.

Like the tracks on ‘Thing of the Past’, most listeners will be challenged to have ever heard the originals, and once again these tunes all possess the rich Vetiver treatment that has made these special songs the band's own.

Full release info: here

Hauschka Plays Lead Role In Short Film - Watch Here

28/11/08

Bloksky


Fans of 'prepared' pianist / composer Hauschka can now watch a short film in which he both played the lead role and composed the soundtrack. The ten minute short, entitled Bloksky was made on super 16mm by director Jeff Desom in July 2007, whilst a student at film school in Bournemouth. In the film, Hektor Bloksky (played by Volker Bertelmann) is a composer intoxicated with music and constantly striving to be better. His ambition is to please his muse, the woman he adores. Her photograph takes pride of place within his room and he takes his cue from her expressions. In his attempt to finish his his musical masterpiece, he becomes more and more violent in his playing, eventually realizing the note he is looking for is missing, a space between two white keys... Watch the film and catch the full story by clicking above. You can alternatively watch the film in slightly larger format via Hauschka's Myspace site.

Max Richter Composes Score for The Royal Ballet - BBC TV Documentary ONLINE IN FULL NOW

25/11/08

Max Richter has composed a new score for The Royal Ballet. Wayne McGregor's new piece Infra was premiered on 13th November at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, with follow-up performances on 14th, 19th 20th and 26th November. The work is a collaboration between McGregor, Richter and fine artist Julian Opie. McGregor, The Royal Ballet’s Resident Choreographer, discovered Max Richter’s rich fusion of live instruments and electronics through his CDs, and contacted him in June to ask if he’d like to collaborate.

An hour-long TV documentary on the making of the work which was shown on Saturday on BBC2 is now available to stream or download via the BBC's iPlayer here. It includes interviews with Max, and a complete performance of the work. The documentary is described thus, “in a revealing look at how the three major artistic personalities worked together, BBC cameras were given exclusive access to the creative process and rehearsal of this exciting new piece of modern dance.”

Max has also provided the score for the critically acclaimed animated documentary Waltz With Bashir by Ari Folman (official selection at Cannes 2008) which is released in UK cinemas on 21st November.

Max discusses both of these projects in a recent interview on the ClassicFM site.

Max Richter official site

Photo by lucylovestodance

Our Brother The Native Date Announced and New Video

20/11/08

The new video for Parting Marrows from Our Brother The Native is out now (watch it above). The track is from their recent 5 track digital EP, Parting Marrows, which is available from our online store here.

The band have also announced a matinée show on the 4th December:

04 Dec - The Good Beans Cafe, Flint, Michigan, USA

The show starts at 5pm w/Morseville Bridge, Businesswomen, Bear Paws, Solemn and Grundy, and Kid Condor. $3 entry.

Our Brother The Native Myspace