Matthew Rolin—Passing (American Dreams)

Photo by Jen Powers

Passing by Matthew J. Rolin

Guitarist Matthew Rolin’s latest release and his second full-length this year, focuses on straightforward soli in the Takoma school style and the 12-string in particular. Passing demonstrates Rolin’s strengths as both a performer and composer with tunes that alternate fast and intricate fingerpicking with more gentle passages and are technically demanding but never showy. “Tracks,” for instance, builds steadily in speed and complexity in ways that seem both natural and unexpected, and the closing echoes the opening in a nice example of ring composition.

The album runs for 32 minutes, and the tunes are similarly concise, with only two exceeding 5 minutes. The title track, split into four minute-long sections distributed throughout the set, is suggestive of Rolin’s more experimental work in the Powers/Rolin duo and on the dense Sea of Stars released in May, being thick with overtones, echo and occasional distortion. “Plaster” similarly makes use of studio effects in its second half.  

The rest of the tracks present the guitar unadorned though recorded so as to make the surrounding space palpable. “Shingles” resembles “Tracks” in its gradual build but ends in a different place, with a sense of anticipation suitable to its position as the first full-length track. Closer “Vent” also builds slowly to a cascade of chiming notes and then glides slowly to a halt.  

Of the six-string tunes, “Fourth Street” has a bouncy feel but departs somewhat from the steady thumb that drives many of the other tunes, featuring bursts of notes and clever hammer-ons and pull-offs. “Silence,” as the name suggests, is perhaps the most reserved track here, but it is nevertheless carefully constructed, with changes in tempo and neat occasional harmonics.  

In this and his preceding recordings, Rolin has firmly established himself among the post-Jack Rose generation of Takoma-school-style pickers. His solo work well complements his work with the duo (and sometimes trio), and he suggests here that he is prepared to carry the tradition forward.  

Jim Marks

Chance Encounters #005

Magdaléna Manderlová, Akio Suzuki, Alessandro Bosetti, Stephen Vitiello, Aho Ssan (feat. Nyokabi Kariūki), Biliana Voutchkova & Charmaine Lee, Coppice, Douglas Quin, William Parker & Hamid Drake, Rajesh Mehta, Gabi Losoncy, Thomas DeAngelo, Carlos Niño and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Laraaji, Voice Actor, Jen Powers, Cole Pulice & Matthew J. Rolin, Lilien Rosarian, Dick Raaijmakers, John Grzinich, Eric La Casa & Seijiro Murayama, Heiner Goebbels, Erlend Apneseth Trio, Erik Griswold, Natalie Beridze, Joep Beving, Timothy Leary, Brian Eno with Jon Hopkins & Leo Abrahams

no love for ned is back on wlur tonight from 8pm until midnight. tune in live if you have a little spare time where we'll be continuing the new winter theme that debuted last week. each show will start off with a song that quotes lyrics from another songs. you can stream last week's show on mixcloud as we start with a very thorough example.

no love for ned on wlur – january 12th, 2024 from 8-10pm

artist // track // album // label built to spill // you were right // keep it like a secret // warner bros. superchunk // everybody dies // everybody dies 7" // merge jj and the a’s // head in a vat // jj and the a’s ep // la vida es un mus discos grrrl gang // cool girl // spunky! // kill rock stars lupo cittá // one-two zero // lupo cittá // 12xu the second wife // sold memories // tourist // potluck foundation private life // keep it movin' // get me outta here cassette // open palm tapes closet straights // brisbane // closet straights // cobra snake necktie wagging // bent // my own private rodeo cassette // wagging industries nancy sinatra // something pretty // keep walkin'- singles, demos and rarities 1965-1978 // light in the attic starry eyes // n-n-n-nervous (acoustic) // starry eyes ep (expanded) // (self-released) the lemonheads // seven out // fear of living 7" // fire c-clamp // a stand still // meander and return // ohio gold bob dylan // girl from the north country // live at budokan on march 1st, 1978 // legacy landing // calmly // subscription series collection three cassette // vast arc hues jason gerycz, jen powers and matthew j. rolin // activator // activator // 12xu grover washington, jr. // joffure // live at the bijou // kudu kiyoshi sugimoto // jones street // our time // nippon eki shola // what is // kaeru // (self-released) mick jenkins featuring jid // smoke break-dance // the patience // rbc kool and the gang // fresh // emergency // de-lite tsha featuring mafro // giving up // capricorn sun // ninja tune devon cole // w.i.t.c.h. // 1-800-got-stress ep // arista self esteem // you forever // prioritise pleasure // fiction macie stewart // neon lights // neon lights digital single // full time hobby puzzles y dragones // el final de mi felicidad // recuerdos de puzzles y dragones // el genio equivocado herr wade featuring mark monnone // monnone alone t-shirt // monnone alone t-shirt ep // (self-released) mo troper // love of my life (so far) // troper sings brion // lame-o benji cossa // pickles // song service // serious business becky and the politicians // go fish // play the early hits of cub cassette // girlsville crabber // dogged by fortune // crabber crabber hey! // jigsaw

Gerycz/Powers/Rolin - Beacon (2022)

In Memory of John Peel Show 220107 Podcast & Playlist

In Memory of John Peel Show 220107 Podcast & Playlist

First show of 2022 is the perfect start to the year! https://radiopublic.com/in-memory-of-john-peel-show-6nVPd6/s1!0fcef >> the best new music, independent of the industry system – back this show on patreon Paypal to [email protected] heard in over 90 countries via independent stations (RSS)Pod-Subscribe for free here or embed/listen at podomatic – itunes here’s the latest…

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Perry Mason

Season 1, “Chapter 8“

Director: Tim Van Patten

DoP: David Franco

Matthew J. Rolin

One of the best bits of Takoma School wizardry I’ve heard in a minute, Matthew J. Rolin’s self-titled debut on Feeding Tube is a highly recommended Bandcamp Monday listen this week. The Columbus, OH-based guitarist’s six- and twelve-string compositions are radiant and resonant; some recall the high-energy density of early Daniel Bachman; others reach out at the sublime a la Basho; others patiently unfold like the best of Glenn Jones. More surprisingly, there are even some moments that made me think of Kevin Shields falling under an American Primitive spell. Rolin never sounds particularly imitative, though -- every note is deeply felt and captivating. 

Matthew J. Rolin - Tracks

Listed: James Waudby

Photo credit: Matthew Sturgess

James Waudby has been in bands for decades, starting in the late 1990s with Salako, which made three records and a Peel Session and toured with Pavement. Pavement drummer Steve West later tapped Waudby for his Marble Bay project and the musician also sings lead in Horse Guard Parade. On the Ballast Miles, however, resembles none of these projects. It’s a spare, lovely 1960s’ influenced folk classic and one of the best albums of 2023 so far. In his Dusted review, Christian Carey observed, “Waubdy’s guitar-playing, in particular, displays an intricacy that belies its dynamic level. Harmonics, pitch bends, dissonant verticals, and drones create an atmosphere that sits astride blues and folk.”

Here’s a list of some of the albums that I continually return to. I suppose they could be filed under good tunes played in an interesting way.

Royal Trux — Cats and Dogs

I used to listen to John Peel’s late-night Radio One show in the early nineties when one night, as I was dozing off, “Spectre” by Royal Trux came on and it totally changed everything. I realized there were no rules and nothing was off limits. You could write a good tune and play it any way you liked.

Townes Van Zandt — S/T

I listen to Townes Van Zandt, and I believe everything he says. Undiluted, raw song craft. Some of the bleakest songs, but also very beautiful. “Waitin' Around to Die” is the classic, but every song on this record is genius.

Shirley Collins and Davy Graham — Folk Roots New Routes

The arrangements on this album are mind blowing. In some songs they fit together effortlessly and in other songs you marvel at how Davy Graham came up with such inventive arrangements. And throughout, Shirley Collins’ voice serenely sings in her own beautiful style. It must have been amazing to hear this album when it first came out.

Matthew J Rolin — S/T

Matthew J. Rolin by Matthew J. Rolin

There’s so much great instrumental guitar music coming out at the moment and all the players have their own style, but Matthew J Rolin is always so tuneful. I love all his records, but this one just pips the others as my favorite.

Neil Young — On the Beach

If I could only listen to one artist for the rest of my life it would have to be Neil Young. There’s so much depth in his work, especially the first decade period. I could have chosen any album, live record, or bootleg, but the lyrics on this LP are some of his best. Another week I might have chosen After the Gold Rush. It’s all amazing.

Plush — More You Becomes You

It is so hard to make an album sound this simple and convey so much feeling in such a short selection of piano-led song sketches. Just stunning from start to finish.

Karen Dalton — In My Own Time

This album is perfect. Not sure there is anything else I can say about it.

Toby Hay — New Music for the Twelve String Guitar

New Music For The 12 String Guitar by Toby Hay

A brilliant Welsh guitarist who has been producing some great instrumental records on his own and with Jim Geddes. I think this one works the best as a whole piece of work. The recording envelops you and he has a beautiful guitar.

Robert Wyatt — Ruth is Stranger than Richard

This album should be a multi-million seller. I can’t understand why it is never in the top ten lists of all-time best albums. Robert Wyatt’s body of work will stand the test of time, but this record stands out. Playful, great tunes, insightful lyrics — what more could you want?

Bert Jansch — Jack Orion

The best album ever made? I think so. With similar tunings throughout, and the same guitar riffs reappearing, the album feels like a suite of folk music rather than a collection of songs. Tracks like “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and Jansch’s masterpiece, “Blackwater Side,” stand out, but the sequencing of the songs to create an ebb and flow draws you in so you can’t stop listening until every note has finished.

coming January 12 Gerycz Powers Rolin - 'Activator' (12XU 152-1) preorder at 12XU.bigcartel.com or 12XUrecs.bandcamp.com

'Activator' is the third installment from the trio of Jayson Gerycz, Jen Powers and Matthew Rolin, who respectively need no introduction writ-large. For anyone observing the American underground in the last decade, whether live, on tour or across various listening formats, these names are attached to the crucial goings-on propelling the Rust Belt and beyond. 

Here we find the trio expand their collaborative vernacular across two sides of vinyl starting with the steady strumming of "Entrance", a paradox of pensive riffing and anxious percussion where Gerycz and Powers meld into a nebulous cluster of shapeshifting staccato and phantom rhythms. Tracks like "Sun Rays" and "Ivory" walk a tightrope between structured songcraft with chord patterns and concise riffs held together by steady cadence, ranging from hand bells to the bombastic, full-kit eruptions Gerycz has perfected over many years. As each piece ascends and unfurls, Powers provides a gentle tessellating from her dulcimer, with each strike landing like raindrops upon shallow puddles. The title track "Activator" displays the full range and might of the trio, highlighting and merging the many facets and abilities each individual brings to the table, forming the singular identity that has made the project so beloved. Starting with slow dulcimer swells, watery bells, and mellow, motorik electric guitar, the track slowly tangles up its own elements and tumbles itself with grace and patient beauty while ascending to an ecstatic explosion of distortion and thunderous drumming before dissolving into an iridescent singing bowl meditation. 

'Activator' leaves it all on the table, displaying a perpetual metamorphosis of different modes from improv to song structure, a display of seemingly endless possibilities executed with a nimble prowess that comes from time spent in close collaboration. Over 40+ minutes of transcendent music the trio employs these multitudes of music making approaches while remaining cohesive and articulate, beautiful and mysterious - a rare talent for the artists and a gift for the listener. 

- John Elliott 

James Brandon Lewis issues a clarion call in the name of freedom, JFDR wields the orchid as a symbol of rebirth, and Mark Kimbrell and Patrick Shiroishi elaborate the saxophone-drum duo tradition as Oort Smog. Angélica Salvi conjures the buck and brace of horse riding, Hypnotic Sleep and The Fulmars unfurl four foggy notions for Kashual Plastik, and Jesse Peterson of Turn On The Sunlight enlists Cavana Lee for an album of sweeping murmurations and cloudless exaltations which carries the life-affirming message You Belong. Felicity Mangan and Photay with Carlos Niño share a fascination with water, Enumclaw fulfill their destiny on their debut Save the Baby, and Glüme goes on the lam in a quest full of heartache and love. https://culturedarm.com/tracks-of-the-week-15-10-22/

Matthew J. Rolin - Self-titled

Feeding Tube Records

2019

no love for ned is on wlur tonight from 8pm until midnight (or so!) with a very special show celebrating the music of the german artist and musician peter brötzmann, who passed away this week at 82.

still no solution to embed the show within the tumblr page but last week's show (below) has been posted to my mixcloud page for you to stream. i'm slowly putting all my older shows up there as well, so feel free to favorite us over there as well!

no love for ned on wlur – june 16th, 2023 from 8-10pm

artist // track // album // label north of america // built sought destination // these songs are cursed // matlock helta skelta // autodidact // nightclubbin' 7" // deranged doe st. // blue and white // stepping stones // legless alicja-pop // don't say no // howlin' // black and wyatt prc // last cig // elastic time // blue mind the crystal furs // gay bar // (bandcamp mp3) // (unreleased) smirk // bored by everything // 7" ep // under the gun supercrush // i've been around // never let you drift away // debt offensive helen love // shifty disco girl // steve lamacq session on september 16th, 1998 10" // precious tough age // paradise by another name // waiting here // bobo integral rvg // tambourine // brain worms // fire julia jacklin // shivers // shivers digital single // polyvinyl ramona and the holy smokes // i honky tonked too hard last night // i honky tonked too hard last night ep // (self-released) matthew j. rolin // tilt // (bandcamp mp3) // (unreleased) shannon lay // close my eyes // covers, vol. 1 // sub pop jordan perry // what do you see every day? // what do you see every day? // feeding tube roomful of teeth // the isle part ii- ariel // rough magic // new amsterdam aki takase and alexander von schlippenbach // apple of discord // four hands piano pieces // trost gerrit hatcher // language brain // solo five // kettle hole roman norfleet // a vessel // roman norfleet and be present art group // mississippi janelle monáe // lipstick lover // the age of pleasure // bad boy maxo featuring liv.e // both handed // even god has a sense of humor // def jam baby rose // love bomb // through and through // secretly canadian domo genesis featuring evidence // victories and losses // intros, outros and interludes // bigger picture lord jah-monte ogbon and navy blue // where are you? part two // beautifully black // rrc music che noir featuring d-styles // quiet moves // noir or never // poetic decisive pink // ode to boy // ticket to fame // fire yours are the only ears // dreamer // we know the sky // lame-o suki waterhouse with belle and sebastian // every day's a lesson in humility // to love 7" // sub pop the softies // see me through // pacific nw tour 2023 split cassette w/ tony molina // speakeasy studios sf eggs on mars // never c // warm breakfast // (self-released) your heart breaks // new york // new ocean waves // plan-it-x magic kids // hey boy // hey boy 7” // goner