Detritus (2020) by Joe Holt
Recorded at The Hang Studios in Fort Worth, TX
Produced by Ben Barnett and Austin Blair Campbell
Recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered by Ben "The Turd Polisher" Barnett
These songs were written and recorded in 2019 and left off that work's eventual release, "It's What We Give." Somehow, cutting these three songs made that record a little more cohesive, thematic, and anchored on the central premise of searching for meaning. Unfortunately, that Very Serious Idea left no room for songs about arresting Trump, my butt, or flamenco inspired double acoustic guitar solos. After all, I am a Very Serious Musician and must present myself accordingly.
So I'm releasing these songs, and the timing is completely irrelevant. I just want to have them out there in case people like them. I'm writing this album description from my bed, with my dog Penny sleeping next to me, having just got home. My mask is on the kitchen table, I've washed my hands three times, and my life is completely fucking different from when I wrote and recorded these songs. Can you imagine being homesick? What an unfamiliar experience. What a terrible, harrowing year.
Part of the reason to put these songs out is because, since I was 19, I've released something every single year. Spoilers, I'm working on something, and I'm excited about it, but it's so difficult to get together to record these days that I'm not wholly confident we'll finish in time for a 2021 release, and I don't want to rush something just for an arbitrary release date.
It feels self indulgent beyond measure to think about recording, releasing music, and being a Very Serious Musician right now. This year has been defined by stress, pain, and loss. I hope these songs provide some levity in a dark time, and that for those of you out there who find enjoyment in my music, that is truly the greatest gift, and the part of my life I can be most proud of.
Besides Penny, she fucking rocks.
Joe Holt - vocals, acoustic guitars
Austin Blair Campbell - backing vox
Ben Barnett - bass, keys, electric guitars, acoustic guitars
Caleb Barnett - drums, backing vox
Tracklist
| 1. | Fargo | 5:26 |
| 2. | How to Make It as a Musician | 2:02 |
| 3. | Trouble Sleeping | 3:30 |
Credits
License
All rights reserved.
Joe is a folk singer/songwriter originally from England, whose music was praised by Obscure Sound as "stirring, eloquent songwriting," and by Ear to the Ground as "the real deal when it comes to folk songwriting." His music has been featured twice on NPR. He lives in New York City.