Royal Oakie Records has released “Karma Loan,” the new single from Bill Baird. It’s taken from his forthcoming album Life Creates Itself, due September 25th. There are apparently seventeen chords in it. Baird was listening to a lot of Bach, and the song just came out — when producer Jasper Leach described his sonic vision for the track with the words “White Album,” Baird got it immediately. Leach plays harpsichord alongside Clara Kennedy’s cello, and the whole thing ends with a sound collage of spiritual gurus selling easy paths to enlightenment.
“The lyrics are, of course, me examining my life and, despite years of experience, being just as confused as I’ve ever been. Every new answer creates a dozen more questions. This is the beauty of the dance of life.”
Life Creates Itself was recorded at Sear Sound in New York City in a single day. Leach produced — he’s also worked with Tony Molina and Color Green — and KRAMER mastered it whose credits include Galaxie 500, Daniel Johnston and Will Oldham. Pedrum Siadatian of Allah-Las and PAINT plays on the record, along with Phil Carluzzo on piano, Austin Day on electric koto and Jordan Johns on drums.
Baird was in Sound Team, who signed to Capitol Records in the early 2000s, then performed as {{{Sunset}}}. A long run of solo records followed, on Dangerbird, Moon Glyph and others — folk, ambient, garage, psych. He also produced Garrett T. Capps’ I Still Love San Antone earlier this year. After years between the Bay Area, India and elsewhere, he’s back in San Antonio.
Karma Loan follows lead single Yanaguana, named for the original Payaya word for San Antonio. The album is available on vinyl LP, CD and digital.