Akron Archives - Various Small Flames

Quiet, Constant Friends: Trouble Books – Oak and Linden Tree

Jon Doyle — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 19:05:22 +0000

If you follow us even semi-regularly you will know by now but we are putting out a charity compilation in support of the global literacy charity Worldreader (you can read about the project here). You’ll also know that we’ve been unveiling tracks little by little, mainly to show off all the amazing artwork that has been created to go with each song. Ohio’s Trouble Books (now Lejsovka & Freund – more on whom soon) were super kind and donated this song which is based on the story of Baucis and Philemon from Greek mythology, who were transformed into intertwining trees – one an oak, the other a linden – upon their death. It’s one of the kinder myths, and the track reflects this, the tick-tock percussion out-stripping the elegant, mournful strings and plodding piano, creating something that sounds reflective rather than sad. I’ve been a fan of the band for a number of years, so to have them included on this compilation makes me very happy.

The accompanying painting for this song is by San Francisco-based artist Lindsay Stripling, who manages to match the simple, warm message of the song and myth. Sometimes things can withstand the passage of time. You can find her work on her website, buy it from her shop and follow her on Tumblr and Instagram.

You can pre-order Quiet, Constant Friends now the Wake The Deaf Bandcamp page. All tapes come with super-limited edition postcard art prints, and all profits will go to Worldreader.

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Trouble Books – Concatenating Fields

Liam Doyle — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Akron, Ohio’s Trouble Books (husband and wife, Keith Freund and Linda Lejsovka) have recently released their new album, named Concatenating Fields. The band’s style continues to progress and is here clearly influenced by their work with Mark McGuire (of Emeralds fame), with whom they released a superb collaborative effort last year (NB. this album is sadly out of print but an electronic version is available for free download via the Bark & Hiss Records archive). There is a great blend of experimentation, noise/drone/ambient aesthetics and pop structures which combine to provide a deep, layered and highly intelligent record that never gets over-pretentious and remains listenable. The duo’s trademark sweet alternating vocals return, perfectly complimenting the dreamy atmosphere of the album.

The band say the inspiration for the album came from the minimalism and abstract geometry in the work of visual artists such as Bridget Riley and Julian Stanczak. Although I am no art (or indeed music) critic, I can certainly see (or rather hear) what they’re getting at; the comparison serves as a good description of the feel of the record. The band’s other description of the album is that it’s “not meant to be super conceptual or anything, just a cool album of nighttime grass thoughts”. That works too.

Fellow Europeans can get the album from MIE Music and North Americans from Bark & Hiss Records. Be aware that the LPs have a very limited release so hurry up if you want one!

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