La-la-la pop, dark, experimental atmospheres, and the occasional country vibe collide in the warm songs of these experienced improvisers and songwriters.

12 MP3 Songs
POP: Quirky, COUNTRY: Country Pop



Details:
All artist proceeds from the sales of this CD will be donated directly to the Elliott Smith Memorial Fund recently set up by Smith's family to provide financial support for children who are victims of abuse. (We've asked CDBaby to donate their portion, too, but I haven't heard back from Derek yet.)

I was deeply saddened to hear of Elliott's recent suicide. As I wrote for BUST magazine's "Men We Love" issue a few years back, "I moved back to Oregon the same week that saw the release of a local boy hero's second solo CD...my entire brain contracted the minute I heard his amazing songs." He and his music represent Portland to me, the way the rain leaks into everything we do. He knew how to turn that grey wet reality into something beautiful and transcendent.

I'd like it to be known that our absurd little song "Elliott Smith's Guitar" was in no way ever meant to be a pisstake. Larold and I had met up with Gail at Larry Crane's Jackpot! Studios in Portland, to which Elliott was connected. Gail pointed out his old Rickenbacker in the corner, and I of course couldn't resist plugging it in. The song immediately poured out of me, with Larold happily improvising drums. We recorded it right away; Gail proclaimed it a "brainworm" of a song; and that's how we got our name. And even though I felt cheesy about being star-struck, I was honoured to be playing Elliott Smith's guitar and improvising on the piano he had played. So our tune was meant to be a tribute, and I hope it's been taken that way.

Brainwarmer broke up earlier this year. We had a great run and played some amazing gigs; thanks to everyone who supported & enjoyed us. If you want to follow our current, separate projects, read the bios below for details. Notes about my new project, Passiflora, are usually posted on my weblog at www.magdalen.com/blog.

-Tiffany

BIOS:
Tiffany Lee Brown (vocals, piano, Optigan, guitar, keyboard, orch bells) previously sang with Portland's Black Orchid, New York's Lakeside Rebar, and the Oakland bands Log and Flail. She collaborates with Portland improvisational acts including Miss Murgatroid and The Gone Orchestra. UPDATE: Tif is now playing and singing improvisational work under the name Passiflora. She is currently collaborating with Alaura (aka Paula P-Orridge of Psychic TV) and Derek Ecklund of Mesmer, and performing at the Enteractive Language Festival. Passiflora was recently featured on the soundtrack to the H.P. Lovecraft animated feature film "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath." Email Tendrils-subscribe@yahoogroups.com if you'd like to be notified when her MP3s become available.

Larold Will (drums, theremin, Speak & Spell, impressive hand-clapping, Ramones shouts) also plays in Portland's Topiary Kings, a duo with Courtney Von Drehle of 3 Leg Torso. Former drummer for Black Orchid, Larold performs solo as Larold the Thereminist at such venues as the Portland Art Museum. UPDATE: You can also find links to Larold on Thereminworld.com. He was recently selected to play for the BBC.

Eric Hausmann (guitars, noise, production) is a Portland-based multi-instrumentalist and producer. Playing guitar, trumpet, cello, keyboards, drums, and exotic electronic instruments with The Gone Orchestra, Dark Horse, and the Lions of Batucada, he also plays guitar in Kings on Straw Mats. Eric founded the independent music label Spilling Audio label in 1986. UPDATE: Eric is still playing with The Gone Orchestra/Tres Gone and others. You can find some great stuff by him & them on MP3.com while it lasts...

Other collaborators on the Elliott Smith's Guitar Full-Length Extended Play CD include Gail Buchanan (of Portland's The Standard, formerly NY's Sons of Bitches) and Stephen Masucci (of NY's The Lost Patrol). Immense thanks to Gail and Steve for their recording, production, and instrumental contributions.