Church Chords’ debut LP, “elvis, he was Schlager,’ showcases a remarkable blend of experimental sounds, and boasts a remarkable lineup of artists and collaborators. The result is a compelling and complex soundscape that demands attention.
“Recent Mineral,” one of the standout tracks from the album, features vocals by Genevieve Artadi and co-production by John Herndon (Tortoise). The genesis of this song reflects the album’s creative process, which involved a multitude of talented musicians. The process began with an ARP synthesizer noise sample and evolved into a richly layered composition. Ricardo Dias Gomes, known for his work with legends like Caetano Veloso, contributed lyrics in both Portuguese and English. Genevieve Artadi’s willingness to explore singing in Portuguese adds a unique dimension to the track. John Herndon’s co-production skills are evident in the final, captivating result.
The journey of “elvis, he was Schlager” began in Chicago in 2016 when Stephen Buono, the mastermind behind Church Chords, relocated to the Windy City. Inspired by the vibrant music scene of Chicago, he envisioned an album with a distinct Chicago-centric identity, featuring local talent exclusively. Buono’s first attempt was an experimental session at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio, aiming to blend “electric-era” Miles Davis with Black Sabbath. Though the experiment fell short of his expectations, it remained a valuable asset for later reconsideration.
In 2017, Buono moved to Los Angeles and revisited the shelved material from the previous year. Collaborating with musicians like bassist Devin Hoff, percussionist John Herndon, and multi-instrumentalist Ben Boye, they breathed new life into the existing tracks, forming the foundation for the album. What emerged was a 35-minute continuous improvisation, transforming the dynamic and structure of the work.
As Buono continued shaping the material with the expertise of co-producers, he embraced a role similar to that of a hip-hop producer, directing sessions and providing input while allowing the artists to explore and improvise. The project continued to grow as more voices and talents from the vibrant Los Angeles music scene contributed their artistry to the album.
Key contributors to the project include luminaries like Nels Cline (Wilco), Jeff Parker (Tortoise), and Nels Cline. Additionally, vocalists such as Genevieve Artadi, Thalma de Freitas, Takako Minekawa, zzzahara, and others lent their distinctive voices to the album, each bringing their unique interpretations to the lyrics contributed by a diverse group of lyricists.
