SIAN KA'AN, by Ursa Minor

SIAN KA'AN

by Ursa Minor

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Diamond Field Fantastic album from Ursa Minor. Michelle's songwriting and voice are amazing with some hints of Suzanne Vega-type insights on the world around. Excellent playing by the all superb musicians. Grab it!

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1.	City Of Electric Light 03:37 video	info	buy track
2.	Surrender 03:32 video
3.	Into The Cool 06:37
4.	Maple Man 04:51
5.	Turbo 03:51 video
6.	Sian Ka'an 03:40 video
7.	Fallen 05:47 video
8.	Sum Of All Things 02:12
9.	Root and Rise 04:15
10.	Stardust 04:58 video		buy track
11.	Quickfire 06:59

about

Ursa Minor originated in NYC in the late 90s, coming out of the fertile downtown scene of musicians transcending the usual boundaries of folk, rock and jazz. Michelle Casillas worked as a sound engineer in the late 1990s and early 2000s at Tonic, the now defunct home of New York’s underground music scene. As an artist she sang on scores of films by Elliot Sharp and productions by Anton Fier (Feelies, Golden Palominos) while playing sideman, collaborating and recording with other local artists. Inspired by the freedom and diversity of the music she was hearing, Michelle formed Ursa Minor with guitarist Tony Scherr (Bill Frisell, Lounge Lizards), drummer Robert DiPietro (Elysian Fields), and bassist Rob Jost (Imogen Heap, Bjork).

Ursa Minor’s debut LP Silent Moving Picture - a stark Fender Rhodes based record - was released by Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley, on Smells Like Records. Their second album, Showface (Anthemusa), took a punchier rock turn with driving guitar rhythms and expansive arrangements.

Ursa Minor’s current LP release, Sian Ka'an (Mayan, pronounced See-AHN KHAN, meaning “origin of the sky”) was inspired by a visit to the protected biosphere reserve on the Yucatán peninsula. Travels along the coast inspired a series of songs and photographs brought on by the raw intensity and untouched beauty of the region. The wonder of this place heavily influenced the writing and sound of the album.

Sian Ka’an is a return to the barebones vulnerability of the first album, with new resolve, tranquility, ferocity. The band ranges from feral polyphony to hushed stillness; a ballad of the mystery of the natural world. Sian Ka’an was produced by Tony Scherr, recorded analog to Otari 8 track by Derek Neivergelt, mixed by New York musician/producer/engineer Mark Plati (Bowie), and features special guests violist Caleb Burhans (John Cale, Steve Reich) and organist Todd Caldwell (Crosby, Stills, Nash).

Tough and loose, totally incubated.. one of the most flexibly rugged rock rhythms sections in New York - New York Times

One we keep coming back to, finding something new each time - Time Out New York

Ursa Minor blurs the line between folk, jazz, and experimental music, with haunting, spare, even cinematic songs - All Music Guide

Storm cloud through a picture window - Village Voice

www.ursaminor.info

credits

released June 18, 2021

Michelle Casillas vocals guitar
Tony Scherr guitar
Robert DiPietro drums
Rob Jost bass
with
Caleb Burhans viola
Todd Caldwell organ

Produced by Tony Scherr
Additional production and mix by Mark Plati
Recorded by Derek Neivergelt
Additional recording and editing by Mark Plati, Teddy Kumpel and Robert DiPietro
Mastered by Gene Paul at G&J Audio
Album cover Michelle Casillas
Artist photo Dina Regine
Banner photo Todd Chalfant, Dina Regine
Electric Light, Turbo, Stardust videos Steven Dempsey Footage by videezy.com
Fallen, Surrender videos Michael Lucio Sternbach

All songs by Michelle Casillas © BMI, except for “City of Electric Light” written by Chad Vangaalen © 2008. “Stayin’ Alive” quote by B Gibbs © 1977 Universal; “God Bless The Child” quote by Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr. ©1942 Okeh Records

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about

Ursa Minor New York, New York

www.ursaminor.info

www.instagram.com/ursa_minor_nyc/

facebook.com/URSAMINORNYC/

twitter.com/URSAMINORNYC

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