The official video for Magnetic Fields‘ “Kraftwerk in a Blackout” is out today. It is a teaser track for Quickies, a collection of short songs slated for release on May 15th via Nonesuch.
Track of the Day: “Kraftwerk in a Blackout
Category: CD preview
Track of the Day: “Empty Quarter”
Golden Retriever and guitarist Chuck Johnson have joined forces on the Thrill Jockey album Rain Shadow (out May 25th). Today the trio release a teaser track, clocking in at nearly an album side of new music, titled “Empty Quarter.”
CD Preview: Jeff Parker “Suite for Max Brown”
Celebrating a new partnership between Nonesuch and International Anthem, two of the gold standard labels for adventurous music, January 24 will see the release of Jeff Parker and the New Breed’s Suite for Max Brown. Combining samples, some decidedly old school in origin, and exploratory improvisation, the music makes connections to Parker’s long tenure in Tortoise while adding still more depth to his musical profile.
Listeners will doubtless wonder: who is Max Brown? Parker’s mother’s maiden name was Maxine Brown, but her nickname is Max. The New Breed band name comes from the name of a store owned by Parker’s late father. Thus, the entire project is enacted as a tribute to family. The suite is Parker’s most personal, musically potent, statement to date.
Two new recordings feature Carey compositions; new choral pieces
Out on Friday, December 6th, via New Focus Recordings, Wendy Richman’s Vox/Viola recording includes a piece I wrote for her in 2010, “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven.” The CD significantly enlarges the repertoire for singing violists, with pieces by Ken Ueno, Everette Minchew, Arlene Sierra, Jason Eckardt, and others.
Recently released on Westminster Choir College’s label, Composers at Westminster features music by five faculty composers: Joel Phillips, Stefan Young, Jay Kawarsky, Ronald Hemmel, and myself. Westminster Kantorei, conducted by Amanda Quist, recorded two of my Magnificat Antiphons for the project. Soprano Victoria Browers and pianist J.J. Penna recorded three of my Jane Kenyon Songs for the recording as well. It is available to stream/download on all major platforms (such as Presto Classical).
In other news, Joe Miller commissioned a Psalm 96 setting from me for Westminster Choir, to celebrate the ensemble’s centennial in 2020. It has received three East Coast performances, will be performed at Westminster’s homecoming concert, and then will be programmed on the choir’s West Coast tour in early 2020.
The Princeton Packet previewed the concert and then reviewed the concert.
” For its 100th anniversary season, the Choir commissioned Westminster Choir College professor Christian Carey for a new work; his setting of Psalm 96 (“Sing to the Lord a new song”) was fitting for the occasion both in text and music. Receiving its second performance in this concert, Carey’s piece pays tribute to Westminster Choir’s rich tradition of church music and showed off well the Choir’s well-blended sound and ability to shift harmonies smoothly. “
- Nancy Plum, Princeton Packet, November 13, 2019.
I’m currently at work on a short choral piece for Manhattan Choral Ensemble, to celebrate the group’s twentieth anniversary. My wife, Kay Mitchell, has written the lyrics.
Six Organs of Admittance – “Two Forms Moving”
Six Organs of Admittance releases Companion Rises, their first full length in three years, on February 21, 2020 via Drag City Records. The band has shared a teaser track on various digital platforms, titled “Two Forms Moving.” Great loping rhythm guitar line here Offset by strings and overdubbed backing singers, the lead vocal is gently paced: a dash of indie meeting a slab of folk. A vibrant lead guitar solo pushes the track into effervescent terrain.
Release Day! Composers at Westminster Recording
On Friday, October 25th, Westminster Choir College’s recording label, distributed by Naxos, will release “Composers at Westminster,” a digital recording of works by the composition faculty. It includes music by Stefan Young, Joel Phillips, Jay Kawarsky, Ronald Hemmel, and Christian Carey.
Three of the college’s choirs, conducted by Joe Miller, James Jordan, and Amanda Quist, as well as Victoria Browers, a member of the voice faculty, accompanied by pianist J.J. Penna, are among the performers on the recording.
You may listen to a stream or download the music via this link.
Black Marble – “Feels” (Video)
Black Marble (Chris Stewart) will release his third album, Bigger Than Life, on Sacred Bones Records this Friday, October 25th. Stewart leans on synth-pop sounds and styles heavily, but the music sounds freshly earnest and eminently tuneful rather than merely derivative. Check out standout songs “One Eye Open” and “Feels,” and then stream the rest, via the Bandcamp embed below.
Black Marble is touring in November (dates below).
BLACK MARBLE – November Tour Dates
Nov 2 Los Angeles, CA SUBSTANCE at the Los Angeles Theater
Nov 5 TUCSON, AZ Club Congress
Nov 7 Austin, TX Levitation at Empire Control Room
Nov 8 Oklahoma City, OK 89th Street
Nov 9 Memphis, TN Hi-Tone
Nov 10 Nashville, TN The Basement
Nov 12 Columbus, OH Ace of Cups
Nov 13 State College, PA Webster’s
Nov 14 Oberlin, OH Oberlin College
Nov 15 Toronto, ON Eisbaer 2019
Nov 16 Montreal, QC Bar Le Ritz
Nov 19 Hamden, CT Space Ballroom
Nov 20 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts
Nov 21 Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery
Nov 22 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom (Record Release Show) w/ Automatic
Nov 24 Washington, DC Black Cat
