The good folks at Glasgow Podcart picked up one of my songs – “Bare Bones” – for their Podcast a few weeks ago (Episode 48 – ‘Don’t Give Me Maw Stick’). It was really cool. They’ve all got awesome Scottish accents and it made me feel good to hear them say my name.
I would have posted this sooner, but I’m bad at the internet. I’m trying, I swear.
Oh man, what do I even say about 60 Hz? Well, for starters, his friends call him Rod O’Connor. I’ve known him for almost six years and in that time I’ve seen/heard him produce an insane amount consistently top-notch computer-based music of every imaginable genre, from electro-acoustic ambient music to drum and bass. He did a whole album of granular synthesis remixes based on Sundays a few years ago. He’s recently remixed a couple tracks from Bodies of Water that sound pretty freakin’ awesome, if I do say so myself. Czech ‘em out.
Know Your Grocer is what we’re calling it. Took the title from a recent article in the Guardian about hipster slang from the first half of the 20th century. To “know your groceries” means to “Be hip, aware, alert to the situation.” We changed it from “groceries” to “grocer” because it’s our EP and we can call it whatever the fuck we please.
Relevant information:
1. In a Sense
2. Sin City
3. Lost Souls
4. Where Are You?
5. I Feel Fine
6. Know You
Elliott Conley: guitar
Max Horwich: drums
Michael Hurder: synth, sampler, vox
All songs recorded live on November 14-15, 2009 in our apartment in Chicago, IL.
All songs by Michael Hurder except “Sin City” by Gram Parsons
Produced by Brad Knain and Green Grocer
Many of you may not know this about me, but Sewing Machines is not my only “band.” I’m not really sure exactly how many “bands” I’m technically in right now (I’d guess somewhere between three and five maybe?) but the project that’s been getting most of my attention recently has been a psych-synth-blues-punk trio called Green Grocer. The group is led by Michael Hurder, who, in the year that we’ve been playing together, has not only developed from a Damn Fine Songwriter into a Truly Great Songwriter, but learned how to play a 404 sampler and sing at the same time. The trio is rounded out by Elliott Conley shreddin’ a Fender Strat somethin’ fierce and yours truly playing drums (4-piece kit; marching band sticks; really loud).
Well, Green Grocer cut our first full-band recording this past weekend with a little assistance from You Black Kettle’s Brad Knain, who helped us out with the Picture of the Year EP about a year ago. The new 7-song EP (LP? mini-album? whatever) was recorded completely live in our apartment/practice space with no overdubs. So basically it’s the opposite of a Sewing Machines album, which is rad.
Should be done mixing it by next week. Stay tuned.
Howdy Y’all!
I set up a fan page for Sewing Machines over on Facebook. Which is good, because I totally don’t already spend way too much time on Facebook as it is.
Yeah!
I finished a new album! Holy shit!!!
Head over to the Music page of this here site to download it. Or bop on over to sewingmachinesmusic.bandcamp.com. Whatever works for you.
Had ourselves a lil’ unofficial CD release last night at Death By Audio in Brooklyn. Played with Green Grocer, In, Sam Buck Rosen, and {{{Sunset}}}. Suffice it to say, it was a wonderful time. Some of my favorite people in the whole world came out to see us, and I gave away about 40 copies of Bodies Of Water (within about 24 hours of finishing it!). Also, that vegan pizza place on Bedford was pretty awesome. I had forgotten just now nice Brooklyn can be sometimes.
But I digress. Go download the album. It sounds awesome.
-MTH <3
Been a hectic month. Northeastern tour fell through for a variety of reasons. Looking for shows around the midwest for early-mid November now.
Album will be done by the end of the month. Gonna be killer.
i’m almost done with a new album, which means it’s about time to go on tour.we’re gonna be leaving chicago on october 17, driving east, driving south, and driving back to chicago by the beginning of november. there’s a tentative schedule on the “shows” page right now. if you would like to help us put together a show, hit me up.
i wanted a place to share my music and my thoughts with the world, so i started this here blog. if you ask me, it’s coming along pretty nicely. more updates soon!
