Town and Country - Town and Country (1998)

"The Loam Hazard" by Town and Country

Josh Abrams juggled playing bass for The Roots in Philly—busking, doing open mics, recording, the like—with school at Northwestern. After graduation, he would stay in Chicago where he became a notable presence in both the jazz and improvised music scenes. After Organix, his next full album recording was Town and Country with his band of the same name. The independent music label BOXmedia released the album in 1998.

Town and Country describe their sound as "back porch minimalism." Their use of "minimalism" places them in the modern classical tradition. It's audible in how they construct their songs through a layering of drones and melodic repetition. The "back porch" implies a folk approach to the classical. It starts with the primary instrument choices: two bass (played by Josh Abrams and Liz Payne,) guitar (played by Ben Vida) and especially the harmonium (played by Jim Dowling.) The "back porch" also brings into account the band's improvisation, unrestricted by rigid sheet music, and the embrace of imperfection. The band's improvisations are slight and can be as simple as one of the drones shifting notes or as rare as the introduction of an unexpected melody amidst the layers—all in search of new sonic combinations. And error, too, can lead to new paths.

Of course, drone music is not for most people, but the "back porch" quality is an invitation to come and go as one likes or even join in. After all, the "back porch" is also a space as can be the music. This music has a flexibility to it. It can occupy a space but also warp that space or bend to it. Because the music is ruled by its minimalism, it becomes a deep exploration of the qualities of each instrument, their breath and texture and their amplitude. The musical space these explorations create can be loose enough to welcome natural sounds (especially if played where their descriptor implies) or dense enough to drown all thought in. The distance traveled from one to the other is the tension the music thrives on.

I think I'd like to listen this album again, outside, on a rainy day.

Here is the discography surrounding Town and Country's debut album:

Sonance Quarry (1997 compilation songs by Odradek and Belokwa String Ensemble)

Town and Country

Town and Country - February 5, 1999 BOXmedia Festival

"And See" by Town and Country

Pass the Headphones!!