Weekly Column: Eine Kleine Yarnmusik
This week, we start with an update. Last week I wrote about David Morneau’s daily composition project, 60 x 365. David has written a piece just for us knitters (appropriately entitled Gauge) in which he assigns musical sounds to the knit and purl stitches found in this stitch pattern. Read more about it here, then listen to it here.
Thank you, David!
Now, on to new business. Or, rather, old business that’s new to me.
Have you ever been late to the party? Maybe you’re the last one in your knitting group to get around to trying Socks that Rock? Or the last one to touch Malabrigo? Or maybe you’re still waiting for your Ravelry invitation?
Don’t despair! You’re not behind the times; you’re just prolonging the joy, waiting to experience that Aha! Moment of Revelation – the moment when you fall in love with something for the very first time. This is how I felt when I first heard Grizzly Bear last week.
Behold: A stripped-down version of “On a Neck, On a Spit” from the 2006 album, Yellow House.
A whole lot of labels get pasted onto this band – indie rock, acid-folk, lo-fi, neo-psychedelia to name a few. None of these labels really get at what’s so great about these guys: just when you think you have them pegged, they mix things up on you. The studio version of “On a Neck, On a Spit” (available here as a free download from the band’s official website) starts off as a fairly straightforward ballad featuring ethereal vocal harmonies and jangly acoustic guitars…until it suddenly pauses and gives way to an edgier electric sound, enhanced by subtle electronics. On Yellow House’s lead track, “Easier”, somewhat dissonant electronics kick things off…before giving way to the nostalgic tinkling of a (deliberately) out-of-tune piano and some old-fashioned banjo finger picking.
So why am I just hearing about these guys now? Where have I been? Hard to say…but I’m thrilled that the recent release of their latest EP Friend has made the band more visible – or at least put them someplace where I could finally see them! Aha!
The Music: Grizzly Bear’s Yellow House and Friend.
Suitable for: Discovering a new favorite yarn; browsing through old Knittys and seeing the Clapotis – for the first time!
Michelle (aka Emmdy on Ravelry and various message boards) lives, works, plays, knits and frogs in Chicago, IL. She will even be blogging again soon – honest! Have a comment or suggestion for this column? Contact Michelle at Michelle@limenviolet.com.
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