Last year, Steve Gunn released his sixth studio album ‘Other You‘, described by Folk Radio’s Glenn Kimpton as his “most elegant sounding solo record yet, with the sympathetic arrangements moving alongside each other fluidly throughout.” As he noted, Gunn’s voice was at the fore, more than ever before, while his acoustic guitar played a more subtle role, producer Rob Schnapf, co-producer Justin Tripp, and Gunn opted instead for a band that painstakingly built an organic soundscape balanced with skill and focus that resulted in a very satisfying album.
Today marks the release of Steve’s new EP ‘Nakama’, featuring reinterpretations by close friends and musicians of six tracks from ‘Other You’. In the words of Matador, these are not covers, exactly. Nor are they full-blown from-the-ground-up collaborations. It’s a third path – using Gunn’s song structures as a point of departure, seeking a new route through familiar ground. They expand on and illuminate the experimental impulses and meditative moods that guided Other You.
This includes new studio recordings made alongside Mikey Coltun and Ahmoudou Madassane of Mdou Moctar, and Natural Information Society, as well as remixes by Circuit des Yeux and Bing & Ruth.
“It touches on a lot of music that I love, but that I might not necessarily translate with the proper album”, says Gunn. “To give these songs to people that I admire and to see how they would return, knowing that their music is an inspiration to me, was really a cool opportunity. Joshua Abrams’ bass playing, his group Natural Information Society, and his film soundtrack work have been an inspiration to me for some time now. I am grateful that I was able to travel to Chicago and work closely with Josh in his studio on ‘Good Wind’ and ‘On the Way’. Reimagining these songs with Josh, along with Lisa Alvarado’s accompaniment, was a total joy. I arrived with the intention of keeping these songs open in seeing where they would go in working with Josh, and am very happy with the results.”
The artwork was shot and sequenced by American photographer Duane Michals who creates narratives within a series of images, a structure he first started using in 1966. The International Center of Photography in New York describes his work as relying on the “sequencing of multiple images to convey a sense of alienation and disequilibrium. In his world, the literal appearance of things is less important than the communication of a concept or story.” You can see more of his work at the DC Moore Gallery website: https://www.dcmooregallery.com/artists/duane-michals.
NAKAMA EP TRACKLIST:
1. Protection – Steve Gunn with Mikey & Ahmoudou (from Mdou Moctar)
2. Good Wind – Steve Gunn with Natural Information Society
3. On The Way – Steve Gunn with Natural Information Society
4. Ever Feel That Way – Circuit des Yeux Remix5. Reflection – Bing & Ruth Remix
Stream/Order Nakama: https://stevegunn.ffm.to/nakama
Gunn’s upcoming UK and European tour dates planned for February have been cancelled due to changing Covid-19 circumstances. In a statement, Gunn said: “Due to the rising numbers and restrictions in place around the UK and Europe, I have made the decision to cancel my tour in February. The health and safety of all involved is most important right now. I look forward to getting back over there later this year. Refunds for cancelled shows will be available at point of purchase. Hope to you soon, Steve.”
Gunn’s March and April North American tour dates with Jeff Parker will proceed as planned which includes dates with Jeff Parker – if you’ve not yet checked out his album Forfolks then make sure you do.
US TOUR DATES
29.3.22 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy and Harriet’s #
30.3.22 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah #
31.3.22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon “Steve Gunn, Jeff Parker & Friends”
1.4.22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon “Steve Gunn, Jeff Parker & Friends”
2.4.22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon “Steve Gunn, Jeff Parker & Friends”
4.4.22 - Menlo Park, CA @ The Guild Theatre #
5.4.22 – San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel #
6.4.22 – Sonoma, CA @ Sebastiani Theatre #
8.4.22 – Portland, OR @ The Aladdin Theatre #
8.4.22 – Tacoma, WA @ Fawcett Hall #
10.4.22 – Vancouver, BC @ St. James Hall #
11.4.22 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile #
15.4.22 – Durham, NC @ Three Lobed Festival
16.4.22 – Durham, NC @ Three Lobed Festival (Gunn-Truscinkski Duo)
w/ Jeff Parker
Photo Credit: Duane Michals