Photo by George Kopp
Talk about pedigree: the credits on this new song and video by NY/NJ-based Heroes of Toolik is like a Who’s Who of underground music.
Arad Evans (guitar, vocals) has consorted with the likes of Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham; Peter Zummo (trombone) was a member of John Lurie‘s Lounge Lizards and played extensively with Arthur Russell; Ernie Brooks (bass) was a member of The Modern Lovers and has collaborated with Elliot Murphy, David Johansen and many more; and this tune was recorded and mixed by Wharton Tiers, legendary producer of seminal recordings by Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Helmet and others too numerous to mention.
All of which might well lead you to expect something other than the mellow, whimsical, folk-rock delight that is “Aquarium School” — but hey, life is like that.
Directed by Kevin Jones, the video combines footage of Toolik performing at Brooklyn’s Cameo Gallery last May (David Humphrey and Jon Speck were on bass and ‘bone, respectively, for that gig, joining Ted Ferguson, accordion; Jennifer Coates, fiddle; and Trip Kyle, drums) with some rather fishy footage. Jump in, the water’s fine!
The new HOT single, “Aquarium School” b/w “Dances With Elsa”, is on sale now.
