We have a great video premiere and a ‘Song of the Day’ to share with you from Seth Faergolzia who initially emerged from New York City’s Lower East Side at the turn of the millennium as a Wonka-esque figure leading freak-folk innovators Dufus. The surface absurdism of his output drew comparisons to Beefheart and Zappa. His new video ‘Wait for the Beep’ was made by a German fan and filmmaker, Jos Diegel and in its offbeat dreaminess is a perfect compliment to the song.
Seth Says of the track:
“I’m awfully proud of this one. I wrote three songs in series using the same looped background sound, to me like a visual artist might use the same canvas or background and depict different images on top of it. I had a tough time though and had to re-write some sections, but the parts which were the most challenging turned out to be the most moving pieces of the song.”
Faergolzia has released 20 albums in different incarnations and currently has two bands, the nineteen-piece 23 Psaegz and new quartet Multibird. On record and onstage there is a child in Seth gleefully unwrapping a kaleidoscope of noise on Christmas Day and a man with a booming tenor both strong and vulnerable.
He has performed in over twenty countries with the likes of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Animal Collective, Regina Spektor, The Moldy Peaches and old friend Jeffrey Lewis (read our review Manhattan).
“Speaking in tongues on top of complex musical phrases, the inspiring frontman of Dufus makes music like nobody else. Often impenetrable and uniquely original, his rightful place is beside Captain Beefheart and Zappa.” Adam Green, the Moldy Peaches
It was during a 2014 tour with Lewis that the pair often talked about songwriting exercises. Seth decided he’d been focussing too much on the business side of being an independent artist and returned from tour determined to write, write, write. Back home in Rochester, New York State he set himself the task of writing one hundred songs and completed this in four months, almost one song a day. These ranged from simple guitar and voice compositions to dense loops and soundscapes to weirdo electronic pop. He then recorded these at home studio Whenland and released one track a week to fans who had pledged a voluntary sum. Most songs were recorded solo but some with a full band.
Faergolzia booked a European tour with Multibird for the whole of this July. In the meantime London underground DIY label Blang, long time fans of Seth’s work, got in touch about working together. Seth sent the label thirty-two tracks from the ‘Hundred Song’ project and Blang’s Joe Murphy (from indie-folk band Sergeant Buzfuz) compiled a nine track album.
‘High Diver’ is due on October 07, when Seth and Multibird return for more UK shows (see dates below). Seth and the label both feel this is his strongest work yet.
Mastered in Florida by Kramer, ex-Bongwater musician, Shimmy Disc label supremo and Galaxie 500/Low producer.
Seth & Multibird October Tour Dates
05 – Sebright Arms – London
06 – Ort Cafe – Birmingham
07 – Rockaway Beach Festival – Bognor Regis – Tickets
08 – House of Verse for Oxjam @ Midas – Leicester
11 – The New Adelphi Club – Hull
More here: faergolzia.com
Photo Credit: Bob Civil