Brigg Fair
Los Angeles, California, United States
Music
Press
http://cardinalplaylists.com/2012/01/27/interview-with-goeff-ereth-of-brigg-fair/ - Cardinal Playlists
When making an album, recording live is the musical equivalent of doing your crossword puzzle in pen. It’s risky. If one member of the band falters or delivers a performance that’s less than stellar- it shows through in the playback and you pretty much have to record the whole song over. There are very few opportunities to “punch in” where you left off in this kind of recording environment. Because of that, engineers often steer bands away from live recording. When it’s done right, though, it’s gold. The Album becomes a testament to a moment, an honest feel for the bands sound, as if you were watching them at a concert. It gives the record an energy and drive that cannot be created through tracking.
This is the nature of the mantle that Geoff Ereth and his band Brigg Fair have taken upon themselves. A challenge that they have well met through both their performance and the location in which they recorded- the sanctuary of an old church, whose high ceilings allow for beautiful organic reverberation and a light pulsing echo.
Set to release in April 2012, Brigg Fair’s full length debut is a blend of soft rock and power pop that truly has something to say. “How’d you like to make some money? How’d you like to kill yourself for change?” sings Ereth, invoking a sentiment of distaste for the current, desperate, economic situation and the level of importance placed on monetary gain. It’s this type of statement, sitting on a pillow of catchy melodies, that keep the listener’s attention and give the album replay value.
Brigg Fair was produced by Lestyn Polson who is known for working with David Bowie, Patti Smith, and David Gray. The church- studio conversion that I mentioned can be heard, not only on Brigg Fair’s record but on albums from Fleet Foxes, Beach House, and Dr. Dog as well. Positioning themselves among such music greats has Geoff and the boys poised for success in 2012- and I think they’ll find it. - Music Ninja
Discography
Kill Yourself For Change - 2012
Photos
Bio
Brigg Fair is an indie-rock, orchestral, power-pop band formed in Brooklyn, NY by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Geoff Ereth. Ereth is releasing Brigg Fair’s debut album, ‘Kill Yourself for Change’ independently on April 17th, 2012. The name Brigg Fair references the title of an Old English folk song.
Ereth, raised in Southern California, started singing in a travelling chorus as a child. He went on to pursue music in school up until college, and even at one time was a hired choral director. Ereth first started writing songs as a way to cope with a bad relationship and breakup.
Kill Yourself for Change was recorded primarily in upstate New York by British Producer, Iestyn Polson ( David Bowie, Patti Smith ). Ereth met Polson by chance at a Polish Doughnut Bakery in Greenpoint Brooklyn which subsequently led to an agreement to make the debut record together. Polson, inspired by Talk Talk’s ‘Spirit of Eden’, decided to cut the majority of the record live with the band in the studio, including vocals. This process was very demanding, requiring many takes of each song in order to capture the dynamism and verve of the best performance. Ereth makes use of various instruments on the album which he plays himself: pump organ, baritone guitars, three separate grand pianos, and a collection of analog synths.
The album also features composers, Brian Senti and Trevor Gureckis, who collaborated with Ereth and Polson on the rich orchestral arrangements for select tracks like Lydia, and the album’s title track, Kill Yourself For Change. The resulting effort is somewhat reminiscent of the Doves, Josh Rouse, and Coldplay’s Parachutes.
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