Lambchop have today unveiled a new EP called “Demoed”, comprising demo versions of songs from their recent Punching The Clown album sung by guest vocalists including MJ Lenderman, Circuit des Yeux, Alan Sparhawk, Channy Leaneagh of Poliça, Dan Wriggins of Friendship, Lauren Auder, Flock Of Dimes and More Eaze.
“I used to fantasise that Lambchop would continue as an idea well beyond my participation,” explains the band’s mainman Kurt Wagner. “Over time we’ve had at least two generations represented. A third now is beginning. And this is important to me, having the unique perspective and contributions from younger artists steering in the work we make. So I thought it would be nice, someday, that I might even step aside to watch and advise from the wings.
“This is to say that my idea of moving forward — aging with dignity — involves my disappearing from the notion of being the ‘dude’, the ego, entity, personality, figurehead, selfie guy, brand image. Who I am physically and how I appear becomes irrelevant. Allowing the concept and work to be the focus. My participation isn’t really necessary in the final presentation. Songwriting, ‘the song’ implicitly allows for such a thing, or at least it did before pop culture insisted that it be part of the package. I mean, I get it, why that is and the way things are, but I’ve always felt it doesn’t have to be so and there’s centuries of precedents to back this up.
“Exhibit D: Andrew [Broder, Lambchop guitarist] came up with the idea for a supplement to the new record. To ask artists we admired as both artist people and with unique voices to sing along to the initial guitar demos replacing me, thereby putting emphasis on their voices and the songs rather than my persona’s participation. A remix but backwards.
“We made a list of people to ask and sent them the demos along with the finished “Punching The Clown” album. We asked them to keep it simple and not over think it, to keep it in the spirit of what a demo might be. Like a sketch for a painting, a demo. Sometimes they added other elements furthering their artistic involvement. It was their choice, their reaction to the premise and the tune.
“Demoed” will be released digitally by City Slang / Merge in November, with a physical release to follow for February
The album features demos of songs from their recent “Punching The Clown” album,
