"la, la, laaa..."
The languid dreaminess, syrupy sweet transformations and beautiful eeriness of "Connects by Water", by Chicago trio Black Duck (Douglas McCombs, Bill MacKay, and Charles Rumback) in collaboration with Basque musician Elena Setién, sparkles and cajole like an instant crush moment. Appropriate for any season and for any reason it moves effortlessly and mysteriously through it's glowing paces feeling like a metamorphosing blend of 60's French pop, 90's abstract indie, late 2000's art rock or descriptively like an amalgam of Françoise Hardy, Pavement and Radiohead or thereabouts. Not something I expected but utterly entranced with, the sonic diorama here marvels, humors, tantalizes and gently blows your mind. It is the kind of song that you can play on repeat to get you into a creative headspace, ideal for writers of all sorts (I might add).
I am loving the abstract jazz poppy beginning built on Elena Setién's keys (and la la's), Bill MacKay's open rhythms, Charles Rumback's shuffling drum beats and Douglas McCombs's double duty as bassist and lead guitarist and hearing the all of them shape shift into other modes. It is like the song begins with a gentle sunny walk around a normal neighborhood and things start to get weird. Attitudinally, McComb's lead guitar work (ever changing artistry) folds in Western Pop noir leans, abstract melodies, sonic feedback laden 'hauntiness' and more as all around him shift as well. Whether this track is written in improvisational ways or meticulous pen to paper, it feels less written than birthed from nature and other worldly places at once.
Love this.
"Connects by Water" is from the upcoming collaborative album "Black Duck with Elena Setién" set to drop on August 28, 2026 via Thrill Jockey.
LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed):
[Fans of McCombs' work in projects like Tortoise and Brokeback will recognize "Connects By Water" as one of his compositions, though the ensemble reshapes it into something more airy and expansive, colored by gently sloshing waves of feedback. Setién says, "Somehow for me, this track is a great respite. Like finally coming to a beautiful quiet beach, knowing you can relax."
The quartet first played together in early 2025, having only just met, trading off sitting in on each other's sets during a run of shows throughout Spain. The album grows directly out of that experience, capturing the chemistry and improvisational energy that developed over the course of the tour and carrying it into the recording process a few months later at Chicago's Palisade studio with Nick Broste. The freewheeling compositions take on added layers of depth with skillfully layered overdubs. The album perfectly balances the openness and core electric energy shared between each musician in the room and sumptuous, detailed arrangements.]
-Robb Donker Curtius
The Chicken Wheel will take you to the AP Go Fund Me- and any amount is so appreciated!
https://www.instagram.com/blackduckband/
The Chicken Wheel will take you to the AP Go Fund Me- and any amount is so appreciated!
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.instagram.com/blackduckband/
https://blackduck.bandcamp.com/track/connects-by-water
Black Duck with Elena Setién, Chicago trio, Basque musician / artist, post rock, indie rock, art rock, abstract pop, dreamy, haunting, Thrill Jockey, album "Black Duck with Elena Setién", "Connects by Water",
The Chicago trio of Black Duck (bassist/guitarist Douglas McCombs, guitarist Bill MacKay and drummer Charles Rumback) and Basque singer and musician Elena Setién share "Connects by Water," the second preview from their self-titled collaborative debut, Black Duck with Elena Setién, out August 28 via Thrill Jockey.
Fans of McCombs' work in projects like Tortoise and Brokeback will recognize "Connects By Water" as one of his compositions, though the ensemble reshapes it into something more airy and expansive, colored by gently sloshing waves of feedback. Setién says, "Somehow for me, this track is a great respite. Like finally coming to a beautiful quiet beach, knowing you can relax."
The quartet first played together in early 2025, having only just met, trading off sitting in on each other's sets during a run of shows throughout Spain. The album grows directly out of that experience, capturing the chemistry and improvisational energy that developed over the course of the tour and carrying it into the recording process a few months later at Chicago's Palisade studio with Nick Broste. The freewheeling compositions take on added layers of depth with skillfully layered overdubs. The album perfectly balances the openness and core electric energy shared between each musician in the room and sumptuous, detailed arrangements.
The Chicago trio is a natural fit for collaboration with the acclaimed Basque musician. Black Duck’s bassist/guitarist Douglas McCombs, guitarist Bill MacKay and drummer Charles Rumback have been lauded for their adaptability as live performers and collaborators for decades, performing in countless ensembles from Tortoise to Brokeback to collaborations with Ryley Walker, Bill Callahan, James Singleton and many more. Setién honed her improvisational skills in duo Little Red Suitcase before going on to collaborate with the likes of Steve Gunn, Mary Lattimore, and Glenn Kotche (Wilco) to name a few.
Black Duck and Elena Setién’s combined ability to converse at the boundaries of improvisation and composition makes for fertile ground in which every subtle gesture carries weight. Their collective compositional acumen makes for an exquisite diversity of sounds and movements that all cohere into a singular album only they could make.
Fans of McCombs' work in projects like Tortoise and Brokeback will recognize "Connects By Water" as one of his compositions, though the ensemble reshapes it into something more airy and expansive, colored by gently sloshing waves of feedback. Setién says, "Somehow for me, this track is a great respite. Like finally coming to a beautiful quiet beach, knowing you can relax."
The quartet first played together in early 2025, having only just met, trading off sitting in on each other's sets during a run of shows throughout Spain. The album grows directly out of that experience, capturing the chemistry and improvisational energy that developed over the course of the tour and carrying it into the recording process a few months later at Chicago's Palisade studio with Nick Broste. The freewheeling compositions take on added layers of depth with skillfully layered overdubs. The album perfectly balances the openness and core electric energy shared between each musician in the room and sumptuous, detailed arrangements.
The Chicago trio is a natural fit for collaboration with the acclaimed Basque musician. Black Duck’s bassist/guitarist Douglas McCombs, guitarist Bill MacKay and drummer Charles Rumback have been lauded for their adaptability as live performers and collaborators for decades, performing in countless ensembles from Tortoise to Brokeback to collaborations with Ryley Walker, Bill Callahan, James Singleton and many more. Setién honed her improvisational skills in duo Little Red Suitcase before going on to collaborate with the likes of Steve Gunn, Mary Lattimore, and Glenn Kotche (Wilco) to name a few.
Black Duck and Elena Setién’s combined ability to converse at the boundaries of improvisation and composition makes for fertile ground in which every subtle gesture carries weight. Their collective compositional acumen makes for an exquisite diversity of sounds and movements that all cohere into a singular album only they could make.
Black Duck with Elena Setién, Chicago trio, Basque musician / artist, post rock, indie rock, art rock, abstract pop, dreamy, haunting, Thrill Jockey, album "Black Duck with Elena Setién", "Connects by Water",
No comments:
Post a Comment