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Distractions

by Historian

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1.
Understand 04:58
2.
Uniform 04:19
3.
The Tension 04:38
4.
Ambition 04:41
5.
Witch Hazel 02:53
6.
A Lost Key 03:14
7.
Misinformed 05:14
8.
9.
Not Safe 04:32
10.
Already Gone 05:06
11.
Triangles 04:41

about

A Historian album is always a cohesive work where the sum is greater than the parts. By aiming for emotional reaction with little regard to commercial viability, the LA-based outfit has matured to embody an explorative, singular band, drawing comparisons to Radiohead, Deerhunter and Amen Dunes, with lead singer Chris Karman’s chant-like inflection guiding the music into uncharted shamanistic territory.

The ever-prolific Karman is now gearing up to release the band’s seventh album, and third album of 2019, Distractions. The 11-song LP is clearly a visceral attempt to shake some of the nervous energy accumulating in these bizarre and tense times. Like most Historian albums, this one emphasizes mood over structure, but there is an newfound urgency to the prophetic material, landing somewhere between Leonard Cohen and Wire.

”It’s about as close to a rock album as we’re likely to make,” Chris asserts, referring to lean tracks awash with dark organs, trombones and baritone sax. The songs are dark, and tap into the current cultural zeitgeist, telling of a world that is unrecognizable, and the futile process of waiting for it to return to normalcy. “Thematically, it’s focused on how social engineering is steering us away from a more meaningful life,” says Karman. “As a society we are moving towards a culture of constant distraction with screens everywhere, removing us from our natural rhythms and internal lives.”

credits

released January 17, 2020

Recorded and mixed by Be Hussey at Comp-NY, Glendale, CA

Produced by Chris Karman and Be Hussey.

Mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering, Boston, MA
Assistant Mastering Engineer: Maria Rice

All songs written by Chris Karman (Bleeding Solar Power Music, ASCAP)

Horn arrangements on “Ambition” and “The Tension” by Richard Conti

Historian:
Chris Karman – vocals, guitar, synth, piano, organ, rhodes
John Bottrell – bass
Brian Kuhar – bass, synth bass
Ennio Liverani - drums

Additional musicians:
Richard Conti – saxophone
Ryan Kinestra - trombone
Pete Jacobson - cello
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - viola
Luis Mascaro - violin
Paul Cartwright – violin

Cover design by Leslie Andrew Ridings

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Historian Los Angeles, California

HISTORIAN is the brainchild of Chris Karman. Somewhere between post-rock and Kid A. It's spacey rock that won't leave you with that awkward feeling of visiting an abstract art installation you just don't get. He writes songs that have mass appeal with a nod to the avant-garde. ... more

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