Vetiver / S/t

Dicristina Stair Builders

Vetiver grows in a “less is more” chaparral where simplicity offers ample room to wander. Strongly fertilized by traditional acoustic music, and more subtly cross-pollinated by the sparseness of “minimalism,” with its bare suggestions of melodies that the listener fills in for himself, Vetiver gracefully navigates folk and pop savannas with ease. Chief songwriter Andy Cabic grew up in northern Virginia and spent a few years in Greensboro, North Carolina, playing guitar and writing music as a member of the Raymond Brake, whose 1995 full-length, Piles of Dirty Winters (Simple Machines), melded experimental rock sensibilities with bright melodic touches of classic pop. After moving to San Francisco, Cabic enlisted violinist Jim Gaylord and cellist Alissa Anderson, along with Young God recording artist and troubadour du jour Devendra Banhart, who shares co-writing credits on “Los Pajaros del Rio” and “Amour Fou” and contributes guitar and vocals to the album. Anderson made the near-random acquaintance of My Bloody Valentine’s Colm O’Ciosoig, and he ended up playing drums on “Luna Sea” and “On a Nerve,” which brought along with it vocals on “Angels’ Share” courtesy of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval. “Amerilie” features the harp-playing of Joanna Newsom, Craig Koozer plays bass on “Amour Fou,” and Nick Holdzkom piano on “Luna Sea.” The album was recorded whenever and where ever possible — including various living rooms throughout the Bay Area — by Tom Monahan, who squeezed in production duties around Pernice Bros. tour obligations, sometimes working on mixes on his laptop and sending them to Cabic from the road.  • Includes guests Devendra Banhart, Colm O’Ciosoig (My Bloody Valentine), Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star), Joanna Newsom, and others • Press via Howlin’ Wuelf Media • Month-long cross-country tour beginning June 4 with Banhart and Newsom • Devendra Banhart is in the band... at times. Lots of cross pollination • Intensive retail marketing • Extensive print advertising.

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