Arthur Russell was a classically trained cellist, but his impact on disco, electronic pop and modern-day indie rock can't be overstated. In recent years, Russell's profile has risen significantly thanks to a series of reissues, rarities compilations, a documentary, a book and numerous cover songs by artists, including Frankie Rose, Jens Lekman and Nada Surf. Now, a group of his friends and collaborators will once again pay tribute to the late composer via the project Arthur's Landing.
The band are led by Russell's close friend, and sometimes musical partner, Stephen Hall, and feature a rotating cast of musicians, including Modern Lovers bassist Ernie Brooks, who contributed to many Russell songs and played with him in '80s new wave act the Necessaries. The ensemble were originally formed in 2006 and will be making their Canadian debut at the end of the summer, with a performance at Toronto's Music Gallery on September 18. They will also be appearing at London, ON's LOLA Festival, which runs from September 16 to 19.
While Hall, Brooks and Toronto/New York trumpeter James Duncan have been confirmed to appear at the Canadian shows, there is no word yet on which other, if any, previous Arthur's Landing members will make an appearance. Mustafa Ahmed, Elodie Lauten, Peter Zummo and Joyce Bowden, among others, have all played in the band.
Arthur's Landing promise to be more than your average tribute act. According to a press release, Russell's music is "the starting point for sonic pilgrimage. The group's live performances feature improv as the fountain that refreshes this source of inspiration, a left-field approach to the catalog, which is seemingly casual but operates from a deep, shared understanding of the dazzling complexity that informs Russell's gorgeous soundscapes."
Pick up tickets for the Toronto show at TicketWeb.
Arthur's Landing have a CD/LP coming out via Strut. A post on the label's website back in February reported that the album would be out in April, although the band's MySpace now says the release will be coming out in the summer.
The band are led by Russell's close friend, and sometimes musical partner, Stephen Hall, and feature a rotating cast of musicians, including Modern Lovers bassist Ernie Brooks, who contributed to many Russell songs and played with him in '80s new wave act the Necessaries. The ensemble were originally formed in 2006 and will be making their Canadian debut at the end of the summer, with a performance at Toronto's Music Gallery on September 18. They will also be appearing at London, ON's LOLA Festival, which runs from September 16 to 19.
While Hall, Brooks and Toronto/New York trumpeter James Duncan have been confirmed to appear at the Canadian shows, there is no word yet on which other, if any, previous Arthur's Landing members will make an appearance. Mustafa Ahmed, Elodie Lauten, Peter Zummo and Joyce Bowden, among others, have all played in the band.
Arthur's Landing promise to be more than your average tribute act. According to a press release, Russell's music is "the starting point for sonic pilgrimage. The group's live performances feature improv as the fountain that refreshes this source of inspiration, a left-field approach to the catalog, which is seemingly casual but operates from a deep, shared understanding of the dazzling complexity that informs Russell's gorgeous soundscapes."
Pick up tickets for the Toronto show at TicketWeb.
Arthur's Landing have a CD/LP coming out via Strut. A post on the label's website back in February reported that the album would be out in April, although the band's MySpace now says the release will be coming out in the summer.
