Ringdown, Laurie Anderson, k.d. lang, Yussef Dayes, Cécile McLorin Salvant, 92NY, Darcy James Argue News and More
New Ringdown song * Laurie Anderson's Nonesuch Selects * k.d. lang in CCMHOF * Yussef Dayes at KEXP * Cécile McLorin Salvant on ALL ARTS * 92NY season * Darcy James Argue residency * and more
New This Week
Ringdown: "Ghost"
"'Ghost' explores the weariness and anxiety of being a fully feeling human who is forced to live in our modern world and its tech-saturated chaos," Ringdown, the Portland-based cinematic pop duo of creator-musicians Danni Lee Parpan and Caroline Shaw, says of its second Nonesuch single, out now. "This is especially isolating in the world of internet dating, where the spotty texting tempo and normalized behavior of 'ghosting' someone can feel crushing. We used the clunky pedal sounds from a vintage piano as a heartbeat throughout the song. To us, this represents the yearning for connection beyond technology."
News from the Nonesuch Journal
Watch: Laurie Anderson Shares Nonesuch Selects
Laurie Anderson stopped by for the Nonesuch Selects video series, in which artists visit the Nonesuch office, pick some of their favorite albums from the music library, and share a few words on their choices. She chose recordings by Randy Newman, Steve Reich, Conor Oberst, Philip Glass, Bill Frisell, John Adams, and Rhys Chatham.
Watch: Ringdown Shares "Ghost" Video
Ringdown has made a video for their new song, "Ghost," featuring their own material plus footage from their April performance at Public Records in Brooklyn filmed by Four/Ten Media, edited by Jacob Moss.
k.d. lang to Be Inducted Into Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
Congratulations to k.d. lang, who has been named a 2024 artist inductee to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and will be honored in a ceremony in Edmonton, AB, this September. "I am beyond thrilled, and frankly pleasantly surprised to be honored in this way," lang says. "My love for the prairies, the people, and our culture underscore every ounce of my inspiration. Not without its complexities, I might add. Such is life. I am so stoked to be coming to Edmonton to bask in this celebration … with deepest gratitude."
Watch: Yussef Dayes Performs at KEXP
Yussef Dayes, who is currently on tour in the US, stopped by KEXP in Seattle back in November following the release of his new album, Black Classical Music, to perform three songs from the album and talk with host Larry Mizell, Jr., who calls it "some of the most exciting music I've heard in years."
Watch: Cécile McLorin Salvant on ALL ARTS
"It's like an engine for the world. And when we don't have that—we can't not have that ... It's like we're compelled to do it," Cécile McLorin Salvant says of the arts on the series How Art Changed Me from WNET's ALL ARTS. "For me, singing and music has been a way to really be direct and say what I mean and what I feel."
92NY Announces 2024–25 Concert Season
The 92nd Street Y in NYC (92NY) announced its 2024–25 concert season, including performances by Caroline Shaw and So Percussion, Jeremy Denk, Julia Bullock, Richard Goode, Brad Mehldau, Gabriel Kahane, and Days of Wine and Roses star Kelli O'Hara.
Darcy James Argue Named Frankfurt Radio Big Band Composer in Residence
Congratulations to composer and band leader Darcy James Argue, who has been named the Frankfurt Radio Big Band's new Composer in Residence. "Taking on this legacy is a massive responsibility, one I accept with the very deepest gratitude. Over the past 16 years, Jim McNeely has honed this group into a world-class big band, filled with amazing players that take great personal pride in the ensemble, and who always put the music first. I love this band and the people in it, and I'm very excited to be embarking on a new adventure with them!"
Nonesuch Events for the Weekend
Davóne Tines and his band THE TRUTH perform ROBESON on Little Island in NYC; he can be heard on the Met Opera's NYC Pride March float. Mary Halvorson and Tomas Fujiwara play at the Met Museum and MASS MoCA. Ambrose Akinmusire is at Montreal Jazz Fest. Yussef Dayes is in Saratoga Springs and at Ottawa Jazz Fest. Jeremy Denk joins Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Vail. Brad Mehldau goes solo in Kraków. Natalie Merchant is in Boone, NC. Cécile McLorin Salvant sings French songs at UK's Grange Festival. Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Mass for the Endangered is performed in Singapore and Oregon. Chris Thile is solo in Big Sky, MT. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway play from Kentucky to Wisconsin.
Wilco's A ghost is born at 20
It was 20 years ago this week: Wilco's A ghost is born was released on Nonesuch. It would go on to win the Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Recording Package. "A bottomless well of melodic invention," said the Los Angeles Times.