"If there is an ‘Avant’ class amongst avant-garde musicians, surely Jarvis Earnshaw and Trevor Dunn must sit among them... a portal for dreamery, a trigger for the upper chakras - taking the listener on an introspective and peaceful trip" ~ The Spill Magazine
"Fluid soundscapes that constantly straddle the line between the abrasive and the spiritual... a fine blend of the two styles" ~ Record Crates United
"Dreamlike compositions and an eclectic range of instrumentation including sitars, xylophones and flutes... the border between reality and the abstract dream world is set to be challenged" ~ Mxdwn
"Imagine a more abstract take on Shakti with John McLaughlin, Mahavishnu Orchestra or Ry Cooder with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, bring in and give free reign to several orchestra members, slow it all down and add a more psychedelic avant-garde jazz element to it. You would end up with Jarvis Earnshaw and Trevor Dunn's TRAVIS DUO" ~ Big Takeover Magazine
"You could call this avant-garde ethnic-space jazz or just deem this an interesting creation of a contemplative jazz-inspired auditory space. Each artist brings their own magic into the fold, lending to new layers in this unique sonic tapestry" ~ Amplify Music Magazine
Brooklyn-based underground music veterans Jarvis Earnshaw and Trevor Dunnhave released 'Hypnagogia', their first collaborative album as the TRAVIS DUO. Together these well achieved artists mesh and warp jazz into a novel and unique experimental sitar-laden creature.
Multi-instrumentalist Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, John Zorn, The Melvins, Diatom Ribbons, Trio Convulsant, Endangered Blood) plays contrabass and percussion, while Jarvis Earnshaw (SYRINX-Series, Question, Harbinger, the Luke Stewart and Jarvis Earnshaw Quartet) contributes sitar, tape loops and vocals.
Recorded and mixed by legendary producer Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Herbie Hancock, Afrika Bambaataa, DNA, White Zombie, Ginger Baker, John Zorn) at his BC Studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn, this album was mastered by Josh Bonati(William S. Burroughs, Zola Jesus, Beaks>, Mort Garson 'Plantasia', Slowdive, Jenny Hval).
Aptly titled 'Hypnagogia' (\.hip-næ-‘gä-jia. of or pertaining to the period of the transitional state between waking life and dreams: hypnagogic hallucinations), this collection of improvisations was based on a set of line drawings and diagrams drawn during lucid dreams. The duo are also offering a series of audio-visual delights in support of this release, including for track 'Hitherto', 'FAQ', 'Fair Weather Friend', and the latest video for 'Uchouten / Sab Kuch Milega'.
'Hypnagogia' is bold and honest, weaving a tapestry of colours and pushing abstractions. They present an impressive hybrid of styles, whilst gently nestling on their pop roots. The kaleidoscopic overtones of the sitar dance elegantly with the charismatic and eloquent contrabass. This is psychedelic ethnic-flavoured jazz with a mean right hook.
This album features appearances by Daniel Carter (Yoko Ono, Sonic Youth, Jaco Pastorius, Yo La Tengo, William Parker, Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra), saxophonistDevin Brahja Waldman (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thurston Moore),Sean McCaul (Philip Glass Ensemble 'Naqoyqatsi'), and drummer Niko Wood {Shake The Baby Til The Love Comes Out}.
"This album is a meeting of minds that cross generations, timelines and genres, as if ancestral cheerleaders were egging us on. The personnel age gap on this record spans 50 years, the youngest being in his 20s to the oldest in his 70s. Every member is a highly distinguished unique musician in their own right and at the top of their field, creating gorgeous music in every genre, pulling inspiration from our vast experiences of life - from Abstract Noise, Punk, Jazz, Rock, Hiphop to Chamber music and beyond. This has magically shaped this album, which extends beyond genre and is pure expression at its finest above and beyond boundaries," saysJarvis Earnshaw.
"I grew up in backwoods bumblef*ck countryside Japan and would have never imagined that I would be playing music with my hero Trevor Dunn. I still remember the first time I heard his band Mr. Bungle smash open my head with the bottlecracking 'Travolta'. 13-year old me was obsessed with the band, which has really shaped the person I am today. Martin Bisi, the humble legend, has produced most of the music I listened to growing up, which can probably be said by a lot of people. In many ways, this is a dream-come-true album and I still keep pinching myself or perhaps this is all just a lucid dream."
London-born, Jarvis Earnshaw spent most of his childhood in Japan, releasing his debut album at 15. Since graduating Bunka Gakuin Art School in Tokyo, he studied sitar in India, and is a graduate of Pratt Institute in New York. Both as a musician and visual artist, his work is recognized worldwide, having solo exhibitions, residencies and performances throughout the world, including Fuji Rock Festival, Europe, India and across America to New York's own Lincoln Center.
The 'Hypnagogia' album is out now, available as a limited edition of 500 albums on dark blue vinyl. The seven core tracks come with bonus track 'Lolloping Theta Broom Horse' and a16-page full-colour booklet. It can be pre-ordered directly from Earnshaw's own website or via Bandcamp.
CREDITS
Recorded & Mixed by Martin Bisi at his BC Studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn
Mastered by Josh Bonati
Re-Mastered for Digital Media by Evan Strauss
Catalog # B9-008
All songs written by TRAVIS DUO Jarvis Earnshaw & Trevor Dunn
except 'Folie à Deux / Lonely Woman' by Ornette Coleman
Trevor Dunn --contrabass and percussion
Jarvis Earnshaw --sitar, tape loops and vocals
Daniel Carter --saxophones and flute (Track 2, 5 + bonus track)
Sean McCaul --xylophone (Track 2, 3 + bonus track)
Devin Brahja Waldman --saxophone (Track 2, 6 + bonus track)
Niko Wood --drums (Track 2)
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