Kishi Bashi is known for bringing violin playing to a pop realm, and now he's upping his classical game by releasing a live album with an entire string quartet. The logically titled String Quartet Live! will be out on November 13 through Joyful Noise.
The nine-song album is made up of versions of tracks from 2014's Lighght and 2011's 151a, plus the EP cut "Conversations at the End of the World" and a cover of Talking Heads' "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)." These songs were performed live by Kishi Bashi with string accompaniment.
A press release explains, "Where his first two releases featured an array of percussion and electronic elements, the new live album finds K's familiar songs reimagined, allowing his soaring vocals to take centre stage above a foundation of interweaving strings. The string ensemble gives new life to these tracks, with updated arrangements and the infectious energy that can only come from Kishi Bashi's amazing live performances."
In addition CD and digital pressings, the album is available on blue or black vinyl, or in a limited edition on snazzy cyan and red split-colour vinyl with yellow splatter. This "VIP" edition is signed by the man himself, and each copy comes with a bonus flexi-disc containing a live cover of Beirut's "A Sunday Smile." The various editions can be pre-ordered here.
This isn't Kishi Bashi's first concert album. Early last year he issued Live at Valentine's.
Scroll past the tracklist below to watch a trailer for the album.
String Quartet Live!:
1. Manchester
2. Bittersweet Genesis for Him AND Her
3. Atticus, in the Desert
4. Carry on Phenomenon
5. I Am the Antichrist to You
6. This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
7. The Ballad of Mr. Steak
8. Conversations at the End of the World
9. In Fantasia
The nine-song album is made up of versions of tracks from 2014's Lighght and 2011's 151a, plus the EP cut "Conversations at the End of the World" and a cover of Talking Heads' "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)." These songs were performed live by Kishi Bashi with string accompaniment.
A press release explains, "Where his first two releases featured an array of percussion and electronic elements, the new live album finds K's familiar songs reimagined, allowing his soaring vocals to take centre stage above a foundation of interweaving strings. The string ensemble gives new life to these tracks, with updated arrangements and the infectious energy that can only come from Kishi Bashi's amazing live performances."
In addition CD and digital pressings, the album is available on blue or black vinyl, or in a limited edition on snazzy cyan and red split-colour vinyl with yellow splatter. This "VIP" edition is signed by the man himself, and each copy comes with a bonus flexi-disc containing a live cover of Beirut's "A Sunday Smile." The various editions can be pre-ordered here.
This isn't Kishi Bashi's first concert album. Early last year he issued Live at Valentine's.
Scroll past the tracklist below to watch a trailer for the album.
String Quartet Live!:
1. Manchester
2. Bittersweet Genesis for Him AND Her
3. Atticus, in the Desert
4. Carry on Phenomenon
5. I Am the Antichrist to You
6. This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
7. The Ballad of Mr. Steak
8. Conversations at the End of the World
9. In Fantasia
