Speck Mountain
Encyclopedia
Speck Mountain is a psychedelic rock
band based out of Chicago, Illinois. Their sound can be described as space rock
, although an equal amount of weight is given to lyrics and song structures as to the intricate, echoing atmospheres that surround them. These vivid arrangements are created entirely using analog equipment and recording techniques, just as the songs themselves recall the scope of classic '70s rock, and even soul.
in Chicago (Ciliberti's keyboard work appears on the last three songs, which date from the original 2005 sessions). Karl and Marie-Claire share songwriting credit on the album, as well as swapping duties on guitar and bass, with Marie-Claire singing every song.
Summer Above was released in 2007 on the band's own Burnt Brown Sounds label in the U.S., and April, 2008 on Peacefrog Records
in the U.K. Manchester taste-makers Picadilly Records were impressed enough by the record to name it No. 5 on their 2007 'Albums of the Year' list even before it had been released domestically in the U.K. They have since released the "Blood is Clean" CDS/7" and a CD entitled "Some Sweet Relief" on Carrot Top Records
.
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band based out of Chicago, Illinois. Their sound can be described as space rock
Space rock
Space rock is a subgenre of rock music; the term originally referred to a group of early, mostly British, 1970s progressive and psychedelic rock bands such as Hawkwind and Pink Floyd, characterised by slow, lengthy instrumental passages dominated by electric organs, synthesizers, experimental...
, although an equal amount of weight is given to lyrics and song structures as to the intricate, echoing atmospheres that surround them. These vivid arrangements are created entirely using analog equipment and recording techniques, just as the songs themselves recall the scope of classic '70s rock, and even soul.
History
The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2005, by Karl Briedrick and Jackie Ciliberti. Marie-Claire Balabanian joined later. After a first recording session that summer in New York, Ms. Ciliberti was replaced by Kate Walsh, who would contribute saxophone as well as piano and organ to Summer Above, recorded in August 2006 at Soma Electronic Music StudioSoma (studio)
Soma Electronic Music Studios is a recording studio owned and operated by John McEntire in Chicago, Illinois.Artists who have recorded there include:Bundy K...
in Chicago (Ciliberti's keyboard work appears on the last three songs, which date from the original 2005 sessions). Karl and Marie-Claire share songwriting credit on the album, as well as swapping duties on guitar and bass, with Marie-Claire singing every song.
Summer Above was released in 2007 on the band's own Burnt Brown Sounds label in the U.S., and April, 2008 on Peacefrog Records
Peacefrog Records
Peacefrog Records are an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. The label produces releases in many different styles of electronic music as well as branching out into folk and indie artists such as José González and Nouvelle Vague. Started by Pete Hutchison and Paul Ballard in...
in the U.K. Manchester taste-makers Picadilly Records were impressed enough by the record to name it No. 5 on their 2007 'Albums of the Year' list even before it had been released domestically in the U.K. They have since released the "Blood is Clean" CDS/7" and a CD entitled "Some Sweet Relief" on Carrot Top Records
Carrot Top Records
Carrot Top Records is a Chicago-based independent record label owned and operated by Patrick Monaghan.-Artist roster:* Antietam* The Bitter Tears* The Coctails* Darling Downs* Disco Inferno* Duplex Planet Radio Hour* The Handsome Family* KatJonBand...
.
LPs
- Summer Above (Burnt Brown Sounds, 2007/Peacefrog RecordsPeacefrog RecordsPeacefrog Records are an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. The label produces releases in many different styles of electronic music as well as branching out into folk and indie artists such as José González and Nouvelle Vague. Started by Pete Hutchison and Paul Ballard in...
, 2008) - Some Sweet Relief (Carrot Top RecordsCarrot Top RecordsCarrot Top Records is a Chicago-based independent record label owned and operated by Patrick Monaghan.-Artist roster:* Antietam* The Bitter Tears* The Coctails* Darling Downs* Disco Inferno* Duplex Planet Radio Hour* The Handsome Family* KatJonBand...
, 2009)
Singles
- Blood Is Clean (Burnt Brown Sounds, e-release 2007/CD 2008)
- Hey Moon (Peacefrog RecordsPeacefrog RecordsPeacefrog Records are an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. The label produces releases in many different styles of electronic music as well as branching out into folk and indie artists such as José González and Nouvelle Vague. Started by Pete Hutchison and Paul Ballard in...
, 2008)
Compilation appearances
- "Hey Moon" on: Bearded Ladies, Volume One (Bird Records, 2007)
- "Chlorine Fields" on: A Kind of Awe and Reverence and Wonder (Twisted Nerve, 2007)