On the cover of the new Unknown Mortal Orchestra album 'll' (2) is a photograph of Janet Farrar. A British witch who wrote influential books on modern Witchcraft (she called Progressive Witchcraft). She also had two husbands.. and yes that was at the same time.
So that's enough of Janet Farrar... but what made UMO's Ruben Nielsen or the group decide tp put her on the front is as much up for discussion as you'd like to have.
Is it the comparison to a strange brew of psychedelic loops and songs? Or is it they'd just like two husbands? Nielsen obviously knows but so far isn't saying.
New Zealand born Nielsen joined up with two Americans, Jake Portrait and Riley Geare 3 years ago after he's previously been in hiding after a stint with a punk band some years back. When he did resurface it was with a new approach to recording by combining self constructed loops "I want to create that stuff from scratch, rather than crate dig"
In a group context, it's become now more a shared experience when live, expanding or improvising ideas in the songs when they're playing.
Guitarist Jake Portrait : “I think there’s a window of opportunity for bands when something’s clicking,”
Nielson confirms, “We’re like, all in now. I got on this tour and was like, I can do this. It might have something to do with the company. I’m more comfortable around these guys. These guys are good dudes.”
But presumably not witchcraft dudes.
It's a fascinating set of songs and musical textures on 'll'. You can check out where the album is sold (most places) and here some tracks at the label HQ - jagjaguwar.com
Here's the track 'No Need For A Leader'
