New! The Interview ...along with the usual stuff.
I spoke to talented Trombonist Dave Nelson, more snow fell, more great films to watch, and the pandemic isn't over, but it’s getting better, right?
I’m Jason Boucher and welcome to Nocturnal, a weekly newsletter about sound + music where I highlight some of the best new music, podcasts, and stories about art & music. Only my best effort is used to dispense interesting news, reviews, and information along with related links that I hope you dig. I get way too excited for new music and film, reissues, and podcasts so I’m sharing my delight with you! Questions? jason.boucher@icloud.com
Today in the newsletter: My interview with trombonist Dave Nelson,
But first… This beautiful photo caught my eye. It’s a tropical fish called the a rainbow wrasse and it’s one of many colorful things you can see at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire. Do you live close by? Make an appointment and give yourself something unique and delightful to look at during these doldrum days of winter.
The Interview: Dave Nelson
In what I hope to be a constant and added feature to my newsletter, here’s my first interview — it’s with Dave Nelson, a phenomenal trombonist, arranger and producer from New York. Nelson has collaborated with Lonnie Holley and he’s a member of Pfarmers, a collaborative trio with Bryan Devendorf of The National and Danny Seim from Menomena. Nelson has also contributed to recordings by The National, Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift, Joanna Newsom, and many more. He’s also played live with Vampire Weekend, Spoon, Father John Misty, Beirut, and more. Recently, much of his work is being done at his personal studio in upstate New York, which he built in 2014. His latest album was recorded inside this studio during the pandemic and its called The Act of Vanishing.
How long have you been playing music? How did you decide on the trombone?
Nelson: “I began playing the trombone at age 10 and I'm now 42, so quite a while! Like most people, I started in the school band program. I remember originally wanting to play trumpet, but since my Dad was the band director and he didn't have any trombone players that year, he convinced me to give it a shot and I ended up really taking to it.”
When did you begin to record The Act of Vanishing and how long did it take you? How was the recording process different due to the pandemic?
Nelson: “Those sessions began around late Summer/early Fall and lasted for a couple weeks. I fell into a pattern of improvising in my studio for a few hours every morning, basically as a form of meditation. Later I'd go back in to choose favorites and continue layering and developing those ideas. I'm incredibly lucky to have moved a few years ago from NYC to a place in Upstate, NY. I have my own studio here where I've recorded many of my latest projects, so this process isn't terribly different in that sense. The biggest difference was the headspace and existential heaviness due to the pandemic.”
Besides the trombone, you used an instrument called Cocoquantus. Can you explain what that is?
Nelson: “Yes! Actually, this instrument was a big creative impetus for the project. It's hard to explain, but basically it's a handmade semi-modular synth that creates various sounds depending on how you arrange patch cables into itself. But it's also (and this is my favorite part) a stereo set of 8 bit digital delays that can be set up like little loopers with a very grainy, lo-fi sound. One of the things I enjoyed most about the instrument is that it came with no instructions and none of the controls or knobs are labeled in any clear way, so it really was a wide open field of exploration and happy accidents as I felt my way through it. Always be recording to catch those magic moments!”
What other instruments or electronics did you use to record this album?
Nelson: “Another small synth/sampler called OP1 was used extensively, mainly to sample myself to create loops or ostinatos. I also used an old cassette recorder to create tape loops, as well as a Moog Minitaur for bass sounds.”
Improv is improv, but there are twelve tracks, many with interesting titles… What was the inspiration, or the vision for this release?
Nelson: “I wouldn't say there was a predetermined vision for the project. Like I said, it really developed organically out of a series of morning musical meditations. Of course, the heaviness of the pandemic was at the forefront of my mind just like everyone else, and I suppose these improvisations were my way of working through the deeper philosophical implications of the moment. I like to consider myself a student of philosophy and enjoy "zooming out", trying to get a broader view of our place in the history of ideas, a better understanding of our modern condition. So, the titles reflect the kinds of ideas that have been bouncing around my mind over the last year.”
Finally, what’s next?
Nelson: “Well, lately I've been working remotely doing brass recordings for other producers and friends and generally trying to find ways to keep generating an income. As far as my next creative project, I need to think a little more about it but it might be something like a longer form expansion on my previous solo trombone/electronics albums. Like, maybe a "symphony" for looping trombones, haha! We'll see...”
For even more about Dave Nelson, visit dnelmusic.com.
Listen Up!
Wild Pink A Billion Little Lights (Royal Mountain Records)
This Americana tinged trio has just released their best album to date. Produced and mixed by Grammy winner David Greenbaum, who has worked with many artists like Beck, Jenny Lewis, and U2 and for example. This new album is full of great lyrics and charming guitar, but it also has fiddles, violins, and a soothing pedal steel guitar along with beautiful harmonies that include singer Julia Steiner. I’ve listened to this record three times already today—it’s that good. Now available on vinyl, CD, and digital purchase.
Shintaro Quintet Evolution (BBE Music)
A great jazz album recorded in 1984 and just re-issued by BBE as part of the J Jazz Master Class Series. The Shintaro Quintet originally released this record on Streetnoise Records, but nothing really happened and it didn’t get the credit it rightfully deserves. This album has some spiritual elements, but a lot of blues standards, too. It also features Japanese trumpet player Shunzo Ohno, who worked with many the jazz greats, like Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Harris and Clark Terry. Now available on vinyl, CD, and digital release.
Podcasts To Peruse
Radio Juxtapoz - Audio conversations with the Juxtapoz staff on all things contemporary art, culture, music, street art, graffiti, art happenings and more.
Independent Music Podcast - A weekly show bringing you ten new tracks from artists from across the world. From abstract techno, mutated dancehall, dark metal to Chinese bin lid music, or something else - if it's recorded outside of the major label system, they're up for playing it. Discover music you love, music you don't understand, and music that'll maybe change your life.
No F*cks Given with Sarah Knight - New York Times bestselling author and ‘anti-guru’ Sarah Knight’s hilarious, practical, no-nonsense tips and techniques are guaranteed to improve your daily life. Topics range from getting organized and setting boundaries to building confidence, banishing guilt, managing anxiety, and more.
This Week’s Reading List
One Album Released by 44 Labels. Is This the New Global Jukebox?
Six East Coast Jazz Clubs Band Together for One-Day Virtual Festival
The Watch List
Continuing with a list of even more Oscar-worthy films to catch this winter… available on demand, too.
Nocturnal, The Radio Show.
Nocturnal is unprocessed freeform radio delivered Tuesday evenings on WSCA. Featuring new music and a variety of hubbub from then & now. Listen and join the live chat each week. Here’s the playlist for February 16, 2021:
Michael Garrick Septet feat. Joe Harriott “Vishnu” At Short Notice (Jazz In Britain)
William Parker “Blessed” Migration of Silence Into and Out of the Tone World (AUM Fidelity)
William Parker “Rossellini” Migration of Silence Into and Out of the Tone World (AUM Fidelity)
Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger “Equinox” Force Majeure (International Anthem)
Aquiles Navarro & Tcheser Holmes “Plantains” Heritage of the Invisible II (International Anthem)
Altın Gün “Yüce Dag Basinda” Yol (ATO Records)
Professor Longhair “Go to The Mardi Gras” Soul Jazz Presents New Orleans Funk 3 (Soul Jazz)
Lonnie Holley “Here I Stand Knocking at Your Door” Just Before Music (Dust-to-Digital)
SPARKLE DIVISION “You Ain’t Takin’ My Man” To Feel Embraced (Temporary Residence)
Carla Bley “Beautiful Telephones – Pt. 1” Life Goes On (ECM)
Laraaji “Through Luminous Eyes 2” Through Luminous Eyes (All Saints Records)
Michael Chapman “Landships” Window (Bucks Records Limited)
Alostmen “Kologo (feat. Wanlov the Kubolor)” Teach Me (Strut)
Rob Noyes “Pishamares” Arc Minutes (Vin Du Select Qualitite)
Maggie Nicols “Shadow and Light Source Both” Creative Contradiction: Poetry, Story, Song, & Sound (Cafe Oto)
Brian Eno “No One Receiving” Desert Island Selection (EG Records)
Ghost “Hazy Paradise” Hypnotic Underworld (Drag City)
Plankton Wat “Nightfall” Future Times (Thrill Jockey)
Earth “Cats on the Briar” Full Upon Her Burning Lips (Sargent House)
Alain Bellaïche “Reggae and Western” Sea Fluorescent (Asylum Records)
Thanks for reading. Until next week… - JB