Quartet Plus Two, by Orbiting Human Circus

Quartet Plus Two

by Orbiting Human Circus

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
- Limited edition
- Single jacket with silver ink details
- Printed inner sleeve with center holes
- Includes digital download card

Includes unlimited streaming of Quartet Plus Two via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

Purchasable with gift card

$24.98 USD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
- Single jacket with silver ink details
- Printed inner sleeve with center holes
- Includes digital download card

Includes unlimited streaming of Quartet Plus Two via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

Purchasable with gift card

$23.98 USD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
- 4-panel wallet with silver ink details

Includes unlimited streaming of Quartet Plus Two via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

Purchasable with gift card

$12.98 USD or more

1.	I Cover the Waterfront 04:04	buy track
2.	Maria 01:34	buy track
3.	Into the River Thames 02:23	buy track
4.	It's So Peaceful in the Country 05:21	buy track
5.	Sea in 3 02:41	buy track
6.	How Long Has This Been Going On? 04:43	buy track
7.	If I Did, Would You? 03:12	buy track
8.	Let's Face the Music 02:57	buy track
9.	Koliada 01:33	buy track
10.	Maria Pt. 2 01:35	buy track

about

Orbiting Human Circus is the continuing evolution of the imagination of Julian Koster (Neutral Milk Hotel, The Music Tapes, Elephant 6), whose music and storytelling under this moniker have encompassed immersive theater and podcasts as well as more traditional EPs and singles. Quartet Plus Two is the group’s debut album.

The origins of Quartet Plus Two are as magical and seemingly unlikely as everything else in Koster’s career. While walking through New York’s Central Park, he stumbled upon standup bass player Gauvain Gamon and drummer Kolja Gjoni playing Gershwin and Mingus, and, with the addition of pianist Benji Miller, a musical partnership was born. Koster’s longtime collaborators Robbie Cucchairo (horns) and Thomas Hughes (orchestral arranging and chimes) of The Music Tapes also contribute to the record.

The music they make together is at once familiar and unrecognizable; while exploring new musical paths ever forward, there is something as comforting as the smell of autumn leaves or snow. Alongside those composed by Koster, Orbiting Human Circus interpret compositions by Irving Berlin, Duke Jordan, George and Ira Gershwin, and others. The use of the term “composition” is intentional and speaks to Koster’s relationship with the music of Quartet Plus Two in far more evocative terms than “cover” or even “standard.” Much like passionate young pianists will sit down to play Brahms, or children can still be found the world over singing “London Bridge,” or the traditional “Koliada” featured on this album is still sung at holiday time, this music is vital, eternal, and right now—and through the medium of the hearts and souls of Koster and Orbiting Human Circus, the spark that animates these songs has never glowed more warmly.

credits

released November 17, 2023

Starring
North and Romika, the singing saws
Julian Koster: saw encouraging, vocal, orchestral banjo, organ
Gauvain Gamon: bass
Benjamin Miller: piano
Kolja Gjoni: drums

And
The Music Tapes
Robbie Cucchiaro: trumpet, euphonium
Thomas Hughes: orchestra chimes, orchestration

And
The Singing Saw Choir on track 9

And
The Orbiting Human Circus Orchestral

Block print by Aki Imari.
Title script by Dennis Koster.
Design by Daniel Murphy.

Rehearsed and recorded in part in New York City at the Greenwich Music House School on Barrow Street.

Mixed in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.

license

about

The Music Tapes / Orbiting Human Circus image

The Music Tapes / Orbiting Human Circus Athens, Georgia

The Music Tapes’ vision began taking shape in the ’90s, during which time mastermind Julian Koster also became a key member of Neutral Milk Hotel and a contributor to The Olivia Tremor Control and other legendary members of the enormously influential Elephant 6 collective. ... more

shows

Jun 19

Space Gallery

Portland, ME

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