Michael Hotter and Edward Gorch first crossed paths in the small upstate town of Freehold, NY when they were teenagers. Hotter's family had moved north from the Bronx, while Gorch's kin had migrated up from Brooklyn. Their friendship was formed around the twisted days and nights that ever rain down upon the families of people living in an upstate town.
The duo parted ways and each made thier share of mistakes in separate lands. Gorch staggered through college in the Hudson Valley, while Hotter roamed the globe as he was serving his country in the Air Force.
Circumstance brought them together again in the Fall of 2000 in the city of Albany, NY. It was in this poison river place of ruined brownstones and divided black snow bank lives that knotworking began.
Raising the Bar (From The Metroland, June '03)
knotworking
A Garden Below (One Mad Son)
The colorful cover of the new CD by alt-country-folksters knotworking drives the point home: Ed Gorch and company have burst into Technicolor. Knotworking’s first two albums were pensive little curiosities adorned with grainy, gray photos and packed with Gorch’s stirringly poetic sentiments and lo-fi production. The group’s charm lay in rough-hewn, brooding (yet pretty) minimalism; this time around, however, the group have shed their hairshirts and left the sober environs of the bedroom behind.
A Garden Below—which is bolstered by warm, full production (courtesy of Saugerties’ Nevessa studios) and the lengthening shadow of Gorch’s songwriting talent—is a leap forward for an already strong unit. The album features outright rockers (“Blossom”), rousing alt-country beauties (“A Time Ago”), and the kind of acoustic rumination Ed rode into town on a few years back (“When We Were Small”). The folk-rocker “Decided to Walk” is already one of my favorite songs of the year. It’s been fun watching knotworking develop by bounds, and A Garden Below clearly marks them as one of the artistic success stories in our area.
Beyond the professional production and fuller arrangements, a good indicator of the sea change is guitarist Mike Hotter: Behind his benign, hobbitish presence lurks a rock god. Hotter’s spare, intelligent playing was a highlight of the group’s previous effort, Notes Left Out, whose title seemed a tribute to his perfect economy. That said, it’s great to hear him knock off a searing, several-bar solo in the middle of “Blossom” and launch a euphoric coda on “Listening.” Meanwhile, on “Long Step,” Hotter bursts forth with the brand of fuzzed-up twang that would do Bakersfield proud.
A wealth of local talent—including John Brodeur, Dan Winchester and Kamikaze Hearts Matthew Loiacano and Bob Buckley—help knotworking out, along with longtime allies Karen Codd (cello) and Megan Prokorym (violin). Gorch, Hotter and co. deserve a big pat on the back; A Garden Below is a great album.
Another Blessed Day in Da Life of Da King-9/10/2009 I went out and performed at Lark Tavern Last night. I had an excellent time. I did 2 songz, then audiance asked for an encore..i performed Prince Can't Rhyme, 10 Weed Commandments, then Bow 2 Da King. My Biznezz partner, and group member The Rover, backed me up..I was his hype man when he performed. He did 2 new bangers, my favorite of the two was Rover why you singer for? I chilled with my dude A-Light yesturday in the day time, mid afternoon..did some promo, and computer work for him. We smoked some dutches, listened 2 some music, and watched this ill movie, Demon Warriors..that shit waz crazy. It waz about obtaining power the wrong way, and Karma. A Very special friend from da myspace world came through and chilled..we chilled, talked about some bizness moves in the future (magizine work), politicz, life, smoked some good Cush. She was excellent company. I played about 6 or 7 games of handball in Washington Park, b4 I went out 2 perform yesturday. Had an excellent time. Saw my DVD Producer and co-star today, 50 Styles at the library in the State Building on Madison on the 7th Floor. I watched our new DVD out in the Streets Right NOW-The King of Albany...my boy Young White was on it..saw it yesturday, then saw him in the store 10 minutes after I watched him on DVD. As usual me and 50 styles performance was excellent..say my boy Prince Reheem on it, then saw him today at library! You will get your Copy of dvd Ms. X. Thanks God 4 all the love I've gotten on the film Im in about Saint Rose College in Albany on You-Tube with Matt. Someone hit me up on myspace and put me on too it. We did the taping about 2 weeks ago. I Love 2 see me in film, on TV, on The internet, in Photos. I really do Love Me. About 2 head out 2 Dutty Ruggerz Studio today..Da Rover made a hot beat, about 2 go blaze it up, and drop some Hot azz lyrics and make it do what it do you dig. Another Beautiful Day in Albany you Dig!
Beautiful music Knotworking! It was a pleasure to listen to your work! Come by for a listen anytime you like..new tracks in a few days! Best of luck to you guys!! Cheers from Bedford! JT
Hey Ed,
Thanks again for pretty much playing all of my requests at the bar the other night. You did a great cover of "Girl from the North Country." And regardless of what you think, that was an excellent cover of "Radio King" ...even though you forgot some of the words. I had a great time!
Hate to deviate from Knotworking, but Ed, how do I know the titles of the songs on Coward? The CD is great but there's no track list. What's up with that?!?!?!?!?
Hey Guys,
Just curios why I can't download the songs you have listed for download? Also, Ed, if you are checking the page, drop me a line would love to hear from you...Michael Egan
