Tag: alec spiegelman

LISTEN: Jayme Stone, “Josie-O”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Jayme Stone, Baby States
Hometown: Longmont, Colorado
Song: “Josie-O”
Release Date: April 21, 2023
Label: Folklife Records

In Their Words: “‘Josie-O’ is a kaleidoscopic reimagining of an Appalachian tune that brings together hypnotic drones, West African rhythms and overlapping Steve Reich-like melodies. It’s a collaboration with Baby States, a Brooklyn-based band featuring Benjamin Lazar Davis (Maya Hawke, Okkervil River), Alec Spiegelman (Cuddle Magic, Anaïs Mitchell) and Jeremy Gustin (Jesse Harris, Rubblebucket). We all share a love of these old melodies and a curiosity about the wild places we can take them.

“I first heard this tune on Adam Hurt’s mesmerizing album of solo gourd banjo music called Earth Tones. I prepared the banjo with a piece of foam in front of the bridge to give it a gourd-like sound and Jeremy played drums with sticks that had long braided threads at the ends. They looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book and for some reason made sparks when they got close to the ribbons mics. Fortunately nothing caught fire!” — Jayme Stone

Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez

LISTEN: Hannah Read, ‘Boots’

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Hannah Read
Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland & New York City
Song: “Boots”
Album: Way Out I’ll Wander
Release Date: February 23, 2018
Label: Hudson Records

In Their Words: “‘Boots’ was the last song I wrote and recorded on the new album. It’s a love song written in the early, whirlwind stages of a new relationship. I love how intimate this song turned out to be. I sang and played an electric Kay guitar on this track, and was joined by backing vocals from Sarah Jarosz and woodwind from Alec Spiegalman (Cuddle Magic).” — Hannah Read

STREAM: Baby States, ‘Baby States’

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Baby States
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Album: Baby States
Release Date: August 24

In Their Words: "Baby States is the trio I share with Jeremy Gustin (Delicate Steve, Albert Hammond Jr., Jesse Harris, Star Rover) and Benjamin Lazar Davis (Cuddle Magic, Okkervil River, Bridget Kearney, Joan As Policewoman). This is an album of, mostly, folk material. They are songs and fiddle tunes we have freely reimagined and recombined. With the exception of Vic Chesnutt's 'Whatever the Reason,' they have no singular composer. Our versions borrow — steal? — elements learned from family (Peter Davis), friends (the fiddler Cleek Schrey), books (W.K. McNeill's Southern Folk Ballads), and from source recordings both 'primary' (The Wallin Brothers of North Carolina) and 'secondary' (Arthur Russell's posthumously released demos). The words 'primary' and 'secondary' are, skeptically, in quotes, because all of those primary sources certainly borrowed — stole? — their material from family, friends, books, and recordings, in turn. This is a repertoire without real authorship. It has no beginning. And as long as musicians continue to play these songs, it has no end." — Alec Spiegelman