As wolves serenade the Moon,
She smiles at their croon,
While wading in glimmering pools,
Rolling eyes at crazed fools,
Admiring herself with silver giggle,
Hiding beneath the shimmering riddle,
That no creature dances tonight,
Below magical moonlight,
For she knows she has none,
They worship the Night Sun.
Night Sun, by Jeff Vincent (inspired by The Moon, Donner Pass, and VUM)
Our placid pools were so disturbed by VUM’s debut release of “Strange Attractor,” that we tossed and turned sweaty nights away in angst-riddled anticipation for the follow up LP. Like a beacon for those dreadful hours of darkness, “Night Sun” finally appeared. It’s a trippy journey best taken with headphones, high volume, and low light; ideal for brooding over the maddening roads of the interminably dark void of spiraling thought. (Yes, I was driving long distance, alone, in the midst of night when I first experienced the album in its proper entirety.) “Night Sun” deepens the thickness of mystery, emotion, and solemnity for which VUM has become known.
Friends and musicians join the Pearl-Badger duo (ex-Lion Fever and Lost Kids, current-Grand Elegance) for the creation of “Night Sun,” expanding their dynamical minimalism beyond the keyboard/guitar base that is their foundation. Jungle-choked tribal interludes suffuse 12 grave tracks of pure Pagan ceremony. It’s like an initiation to the occult of the swirling matter of existence; from volcano to jungle, asteroid belt to ocean, insect to office space. Think Pink Floyd “Ummagumma/More” meets the color of King Crimson’s “Islands” shown in black and white, meets The Heart of Darkness projected in LA Noir.
Limited to 300 hand-numbered vinyl copies (I scored #22, which happens to represent both my lucky number and birth number 11-11), “Night Sun” was recorded in the canyons of west coast California and the jungles of the South Pacific; and partially put down in Neil Young’s former house where “After The Goldrush” was recorded. It was pressed on high quality vinyl and comes in eco-friendly packaging (including recycled paper jackets printed with soy inks in the the traditional offset printing process by Stumptown Printers). VUM certifies that 10% of the proceeds from LP sales will be donated to the Atitia Center in Mo’orea, French Polynesia – a place where traditional Tahitian culture meets cutting edge scientific concepts. Vinyl album includes immediate digital download of just about any format you could possibly desire.
-Jeff Vincent, DHR
Listen to “Night Sun” now… or Purchase “Night Sun” here
VUM- Remember Me from Secret Lodge on Vimeo.
Night Sun vinyl flap seal featuring quote from DHR
