Nero's Neptune

Metzger, Paul

Tombeaux

Nero's Neptune

***Tombeaux, the much-anticipated new album from PAUL METZGER, marks our alchemist's third appearance on Nero's Neptune, following critically-acclaimed contributions to labels like Locust and Honest Jon's.  Metzger summons the spirits of musical Appalachian forefathers, guitarist Django Reinhardt and classical sitarist Nikhil Banerjee, among others, weaving a peerless, highly individualistic music that sounds unlike anyone but himself. Metzger's playing doesn’t imitate raga structures so much as use those modal figures as a starting point. He employs dazzling, breviloquent string plucks on the main banjo strings, whilst producing rhythmic, droning textures on the cross strings of an added bridge. Some have suggested similarities to the works of John Fahey or Sandy Bull, but Metzger's modus operandi doesn't constitute a mirroring of those styles; rather, he composes and operates apart from their music, in an insular and altogether separate universe. In the process, Metzger transcends and expands the lexicon in a wholly organic manner.

Sally, Zak

Fear Of Song

Nero's Neptune

***ZAK SALLY is a Twin Cities-based musician, publisher and comic artist. After 12 years with minimalist rock band LOW, Zak left. Planting roots in Minneapolis, Zak began focusing on cartooning, and also established a small-press publishing concern, La Mano 21. Although Zak initially planned to abandon recording, he remained “absolutely terrified by music.” Eventually, and with the help of his friend BEN DURRANT (ANDREW BIRD, DOSH), he polished off a Sub Pop 45 (“Why We Hide” b/w “When I Said I Missed You I Just Meant My Aim Was Off"). Now, we offer this delightful, full-length LP. All sounds you hear on the record are courtesy of Mr. Sally. In fact, Zak was involved in EVERY aspect of creating this LP, not only performing all the music contained within, but also designing the cover, laying it out for printing, making the plates, printing the damn thing on his OWN PRESS, trimming, folding, and finally inserting and sleeving the records! With a mere 200 copies slated for national distribution, the project ends with you (the listener) and your turntable. The LP is called Fear of Song, and, in Zak’s words “it's the sound of one man clanging.” Edition of 340 copies (200 for distribution).