ABOUT THE ALBUM

Astroturf Noise returns with their second album for 577 Records, Blazing/Freezing. Since forming in 2017, the trio of Sam Day Harmet (mandolin/electronics), Sana Nagano (violin/effects), and Zachary Swanson (upright bass) has carved out a distinctive sonic space. Here, American roots music coexists with electronics-spiked free improv, Downtown skronk, and on the new album, manipulated samples sourced from Tennessee, Wisconsin, and their home city of Brooklyn, NY. They are also assisted with guest appearances from pedal steel master Susan Alcorn, avant-bluegrass guitarist Stash Wyslouch, and on piano, Soundpainting maestro Walter Thompson.

Written and recorded over the pandemic, Blazing/Freezing reflects the anxiety of our moment: blazing and freezing from the effects of climate change, the anger of our chaotic political environment, the fear of whatever new insanity will come next. But it also reflects an unmistakable joy and playfulness throughout, an excitement for new sounds and musical collaboration. As hyphenated Americans (Jewish-American, Japanese-American, Mexican-American respectively), Astroturf Noise look to American music with mischievous instincts for deconstruction as they try to make sense of a deeply strange America.

Astroturf Noise
Blazing/Freezing

Sam Day Harmet: Mandolin/fx/op-z 
Sana Nagano: Violin/fx 
Zachary Swanson: Bass

Guest musicians:
Susan Alcorn: Pedal steel (tracks 2, 5)
Stash Wyslouch: Acoustic guitar (track 3)
Walter Thompson: Piano (track 4)

Recorded in Brooklyn, NY
Release: February 17, 2023
Total time: 35 mins
Catalog number 5854-1

Cover art by Janelle Krone
Graphic design by Sergio Vezzali

TRACKS:
1. Tennessee Blazes 4:24
2. Brack Water Waltz (ft. Susan Alcorn) 3:41
3. Medium Lonely Blues (ft. Stash Wyslouch) 2:39
4. Historic Western Ghost Town Engulfed in Fire (ft. Walter Thompson) 6:39
5. Midnight on the Ice (ft. Susan Alcorn) 4:41
6. Dying Mechanical Banjo Pt. 1 5:44
7. Dying Mechanical Banjo Pt. 2 2:07
8. Prospect Freeze 5:30


100% of profit from the sale of most of these albums
goes to the musicians