Citay/Scout Niblett

Description

CITAY

Citay is essentially the solo project of Ezra Feinberg, and yet it encompasses a veritable community of musicians present literally and in influence. Formerly the drummer for Piano Magic, Feinberg started Citay alongside Tim Green of the Fucking Champs. He recorded the 2006 self-titled debut with Green at his Louder Studios (where all three albums have been recorded) using acoustic and electric guitars, bongos and a Casio. This album was influenced by acid rock of the 1970s, and drew its sound from Joni Mithcell and members of Queen, Metallica, Big Star and the Byrds.

For live performances, Feinberg enlisted members of Tussle, Kelley Stoltz, and several others. Citay has toured or shared bills with Akron/Family, Marnie Stern, Wooden Shjips, Vetiver, Howlin' Rain, and Six Organs Of Admittance.

Little Kingdom was released on the Secretly Canadian imprint Dead Oceans in 2007, with a total of eight musicians included in the recording process. A remix album of Little Kingdom, out November 2009, includes remixes by White Rainbow and Black Mountain, among others.

Citay’s third studio album, Dream Get Together, draws its weight from “the intensity of relationships,” says Feinberg. He mentions “how deep we can go with each other, how exhilarating that depth can be, and how painful, too.” Out as of January 26th, on Dead Oceans, this album includes “Careful With That Hat,” inspired by an obscure Pink Floyd song, and further exhibits Feinberg’s obsession with the Robert-Fripp-produced Roches songs.
- Jenna Humphrey


SCOUT NIBLETT

Since the start of her career in 2001, British singer-songwriter Emma Louise Niblett has released four albums, two EPs, eight 7"s, and has appeared on seven albums--including Jason Molina’s Magnolia Electric Co. Bonnie “Prince” Billy did four duets on her 2007 album This Fool Can Die Now, and Stella McCartney enlisted the title track off her 2005 release Kidnapped by Neptune as the soundtrack for her International perfume ads. Her fifth studio album, The Calcination of Scout Niblett, is out as of Jan. 2010 on Drag City.

In contrast with her strident career, Niblett’s music is brooding and minimalistic, bearing a strong kinship with grunge; she cites Nirvana and Sonic Youth as influences, as well as affinities with blues master John Lee Hooker and Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Niblett has recorded most of her albums with producer Steve Albini, who is among the most influential stalwarts of independent music. He recorded Nirvana's In Utero in his studio, as well as albums by the Pixies and the Breeders – artists whose guitar riffs and break-beating drums resonate with Niblett’s.

Niblett’s process to songwriting is markedly internal. “I don’t really understand how I write songs,” she said in a 2007 interview. “It’s quite a magical process for me because I don’t feel that I’m really writing the songs. I feel that I’m just basically channeling feelings.”
- Jenna Humphrey