The LA-based ambient country-folk duo share recent favorites!

Last month, the meditative Los Angeles instrumental outfit North Americans released Long Cool World, its fifth album overall and second for the estimable Nashville label Third Man. The creation of Patrick McDermott, a guitarist and drone expert who harnesses his skill at crafting pieces that seem to swirl with energy, often through a combination of repetition and aural hypnosis, North Americans’ sound is amplified and drone-afied through the mesmerizing pedal steel work of Portland musician Barry Walker Jr.

Below, the two share some recent favorites.

Derek Monypeny – Cibola

Barry Walker Jr.: I’ve known Derek for almost ten years.  Here, I have selected his most recent record, Cibola, but I would recommend any of his releases.  On this one, he plays guitar and shahi baaja. I find Derek’s music to be both challenging and listenable. His use of instruments and effects is inventive and, at the risk of offending him, highly psychedelic. He leads you in many directions.  I can’t recommend his live performances enough—they are ecstatic and disorienting and cleansing. He is one of my favorite modern guitar players.  

Gray / Smith – self titled

BW: This is an album by the duo of Keith Connolly (guitar, vocals) and Rob Smith (drums, vocals). Rob is one of my oldest friends that I am still constantly in touch with. We collaborate musically and obsess over bluegrass together.  He is a drummer (and person) of exceptional depth and feeling. Keith Connolly is an exquisite guitar player probably most recognizable through his association with NNCK. This record is filled with wonderful, subtle turns of melody, singing, and guitar/drum interplay. They self-released this.  Byron Coley already wrote a definitive description of the music, which you should check out, so I won’t ramble—other than to say that you should purchase this LP and dive in!

Brown Calvin –  d i m e n s i o n // p e r s p e c t i v e 

BW: Brown Calvin is Portland-based artist Andre Burgos. I met him at a Lonnie Holley gig we were both recruited to play. It was supposed to be a series of duo performances (Lonnie with a host of collaborators). Dre and I were there a little early, and Lonnie insisted we play all together at sound check.  Who were we to argue? I was really taken by Dre’s approach in the live setting. He’s a close listener and also a great harmonic and rhythmic guide and improviser. This album is a swirling song cycle utilizing keyboards, percussion, tape manipulation, samples, etc. It is music with deep roots; an immersive, cathartic balm for a weary astral traveller.

Moin – Moot! 

Patrick McDermott: I absolutely love Moin. Moot! Is an extremely dialed-in effort that’s heavy while still being extremely engaging. Valentina Magaletti’s drum work on this record is incredible. I love how everything sounds. The vocal samples are super haunting at times. It’s just a really special one all around. 

Joan of Arc – Guitar Duets

PM: Great pal and deep musicologist Hayden Pedigo recently sent me this record and I’ve been hooked ever since. The concept is amazing: Members of the Chicago band Joan of Arc drew names out of a hat and composed little duets based on the groupings. Some tracks are gorgeously melodic pieces, some super experimental. The collection is humble in many ways but features really unique playing all around. It’s a blast and the approach to the collaboration is something I aspire to! 

Lungfish – Sound in Time

PM (bonus pick): I was certainly late to the party in stumbling upon Lungfish. I was recommended their music a couple of years back by the legendary Pete Swanson of Yellow Swans/Freedom To Spend, etc. and I constantly return to it. The repetition of these songs, alongside the approach to the guitar parts themselves, is deeply inspiring and what I connect with most in music. I also truly love the length of these songs – I could listen to them for 20 minutes each but the shorter length really leaves me wanting more. This is something I’ve tried to bring to my approach to songwriting in North Americans.