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Norfolk & Western started as a recording project early on in this century by Adam Selzer , who also plays guitar and bass for M. Ward. Adam is also responsible for recording all the N&W titles in his Portland, Oregon studio, Type Foundry Recording, where he has produced numerous records from many artists since 1998.
The first Norfolk record, Centralia, consisted of folk, atmospheric, and rock songs wherein Adam played most of the instruments himself but was duly aided by friends including Amanda Lawrence (viola), M. Ward (piano, guitar) and David Welch (bass). Soon thereafter, Rachel Blumberg (currently drumming for M. Ward, former Decemberists drummer) joined the band and became a pivotal element to the following record, Winter Farewell. Rachel sang, played drums, piano, vibraphone, and many other instruments. Many of the record's songs were written in true collaborative form. She became a paramount addition to the live show, which included David Welch on bass, Zak Riles on banjo and lap steel, and Tony Moreno who supplied the atmospheric sounds with contraptions he hid behind an old 1940's radio cabinet. Winter Farewell itself was more eclectic and experimental than its predicesor. It was moody and dark all the while maintaining the band's folk roots.
After this release, Norfolk embarked on a few west coast tours, and a three week European tour supporting Sparklehorse. While the first two recordings on the Film Guerrero label, the next record, Dusk in Cold Parlours, was released on their current label Hush Records. This batch of songs was more focused and included increasingly elaborate arrangements than the previous albums. The collaboration within band became more apparent on Dusk, which included many "full band" songs as well as more sparse, solitary endeavors.
After the release, Adam & Rachel toured as a duo throughout the U.S. with The Decemberists. A year long hiatus ensued, then Norfolk toured for a few months with M. Ward in Europe and the U.S. Upon their return home, they went back into the studio to record their more pop oriented e.p. A Gilded Age which was released in the spring of 2006. Dave Depper had become the regular bass player whose musical prowess and McCartney-esque bass style dramatically changed the sound of the band. Shortly thereafter, Peter Broderick became the multi-instrumentalist (violin, banjo, musical saw, accordion, mandolin, theremin) the band came to rely on. This quartet constituted the touring act when they supported DeVotchka on a nationwide tour last summer.
Since then, they recorded a full length for an October 24, 2006 release entitled The Unsung Colony. The record incorporates the touring line-up as well as collaborations with Cory Gray (trumpet, piano), Amanda Lawrence (viola), and Tony Moreno (guitar). The band sometimes plays live with all the aforementioned players. This septet is indicative of the sound on their most recent release. It is epic in scope with ambitious arrangements.
Dinero Severo, the new record by Norfolk & Western is a departure in that it leaves behind the lush orchestration and trades it in for a more raw live sound relying on a traditional sound guitars, bass and drums and vocals. The sound is more immediate and exposed than on previous recordings. .
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"A cast of musicians crafting gorgeous and complex instrumental arrangements with banjo, saw, accordion, trumpet, piano, and percussion (from none other than the Decemberists' former drummer, Rachel Blumberg), among other assorted noisemakers." - SPIN
"The band's sense of dynamic interplay is the greatest element of their success. One it captures you it's hard to escape its grasp." - Pitchfork
hi N+w just dropping by to tell you that I am still in love with your music! and by the way, I finally uploaded the full 10 songs, so there is plenty of new material... yours Tom
Wisteriax: Doves Never Sleep Dex Romweber Duo: Lookout Tom Waits: 'T 'Ain't No Sin The Scarring Party: Flat Peculiar Pretzelmen: Leslie's Theme Starhead: The Tempest Alice Cooper: Crazy Little Child Dandelion Junk Queens: Growing Up is Giving Up Defiance, Ohio: The Condition Norfolk & Western: A Gilded Age C. Strøm: The Rose of Tennessee Cult with No Name: Down the Line Voltaire: Cannibal Buffet Hollands: High Class Nouvelle Vague: Just Can't Get Enough Christian Williams: Village Blacksmith Hail Seizures: Elephant Man Agent Ribbons: Obituary Vermillion Lies: Blue Neko Case: Hold On, Hold On Slim Cessna's Auto Club: An Introduction to the Power of Braces: Faith Real McKenzies: Droppin' Like Flies Jennifer Leonhardt: Kerby Lane Jubilee
Dudes, This is important. It could potentially rule. Am I wrong?
ShanRock Trivia The Lebowski Achiever's Bowl will include bowling, a film screening, costume contest, and of course trivia! The grand prize for the master of Dude-ical trivia is this limited edition 10 year anniversary DVD set shaped like a bowling ball! Save the date: Friday, October 24th, 9:30 at AMF Bowl on Powell.
Hello from Japan!! just stop to say our information. next our "Bigfish live show" is scheduled on 7th December at Kichijoji MANDA-LA2, Tokyo. Three Japanese Female peaceful singers; Hana Saito, NAORYU and Rika Shinohara play there. They sound like folky heart-warm and acoustic. thanks for checking our live information. Hope everything is good in your life! ARIGATO
Your good friend Laura Gibson is interviewed on this week’s Gilded Palace radio show online at Totally Radio. The show streams on demand, and will be available until Friday 4th July. Oh, and of course we used it as an excuse to play some N&W: make her feel at home. You should come over yourselves one day :-)
