TALKHOUSE: In Conversation: Mary Timony (Helium, Ex Hex) Talks With Quattracenta’s Sarah Matas
The fiery frontpeople compare notes on killer careers.
The fiery frontpeople compare notes on killer careers.
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Late last month, legendary singer-songwriter-guitarist Mary Timony—best known for her work in the band Helium, as well as Wild Flag and Ex Hex—connected with Sarah Matas of the Baltimore band Quattracenta—heirs to the Helium throne, in some respects. The sit-down was virtual, of course, and the two friends spoke about a lot of things, including the recent 20th anniversary reissue of Timony’s solo debut Mountains and Quattracenta’s second album, the J. Robbins-produced II. Delight in the entire conversation below.
—Josh Modell, Talkhouse Executive Editor |
Album review at Chicago Reader
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For their new second album, Baltimore postpunk trio Quattracenta teamed up with producer J. Robbins (Jawbox) and the Brokers Tip label, owned by Bob Nastanovich (Pavement, Silver Jews). Those familiar names aren’t the band’s only nods to the 90s—their sound draws on Slint and occasionally the Jesus Lizard—but II doesn’t feel pinned to any one era. That’s partly thanks to the honeyed, understated vocals of front woman and guitarist Sarah Matas; no matter how intense or dark the music gets, they provide a calming air of intrigue. On “What There Is,” which speaks to the despair felt by oppressed millions, she indicts demagogues (“When hatred is the air you breathe / The blood upon your hands stains eternally”) before the band breaks into a disjointed, downcast outro underscored by an anxious guitar pattern. Elsewhere Quattracenta add guest musicians to transform their minimal trio formation into something more lush and expansive: midway through the stirring “Bleeding Black,” they introduce soaring cello and violin that eventually run over a murky, detuned backdrop. II is the kind of music you can listen to in any mood, whether you’re grappling with something or looking to boost a high. Quattracenta accomplish so much in these six songs that you’re left wanting a half dozen more.
- Jamie Ludwig, Chicago Reader |
Live in-studio session feature at The Alternative
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With COVID messing up the entirety of the music industry throughout 2020, artists have been finding new ways to share their work and performances with their fans. This is especially true for artists who are recording new music, and thats the situation for Baltimore post-punk band Quattracenta.
They have released an exclusive, behind the scenes look at their forthcoming sophomore release, II, in the form of a live session concert filmed by Amy Oden at Magpie Cage Studios where the album was also recorded. The audio for the performance was mixed live by J Robbins (of Jawbox, Government Issue), who also produced the album, so in many ways this performance is both an extension of the new record and a record release show for the LP which is out this Friday via Bob Nastanovich (of Pavement, The Silver Jews) non-profit label Brokers Tip, and distributed by DC Punk institution Dischord Records. This session is also being released to bring attention to the fact that so many creative arts spaces are in peril as a result of the lack of business due to COVID. Quattracenta stated: “When we realized that we weren’t going to be able to have a record release show, we started to think about other options. Right around the same time, we saw that Magpie Cage, like so many other studios, venues, etc was being affected by COVID and the shutdowns. We’ve now recorded both our records with J Robbins at that studio. There is a certain life within those walls and J is incredible to work with, so it just made sense for us to do something to help support this place and person that are so near and dear to our hearts. We then enlisted the help of our friend, filmmaker Amy Oden, and she and J worked to make it look and sound better than we could have ever imagined doing on our own. After all this time without being able to perform, playing a mini show for even just two people felt incredibly invigorating and knowing that even more people can now have a glimpse into what makes this place so special is really important to us.” |
Album Preview at New Noise
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Baltimore post-punk trio Quattracenta have announced new album II, produced by J. Robbins (The Dismemberment Plan, Jawbreaker, The Promise Ring), out on Bob Nastanovich’s (Pavement, Silver Jews) Brokers Tip Records on October 16.
“What There Is” is a slow-building, gloomy, post-punk track that falls somewhat parallel to Sonic Youth’s moodier output. Vocalist and guitarist Sarah Matas solidifies the track’s strength with ominous lines like, “When hatred is the air you breathe, the blood upon your hands stains eternally.” Before the album’s release on 12-inch vinyl, “What There Is” will feature as the A-side for a seven-inch release. |
"What There Is" Premiere at BrooklynVegan
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Baltimore trio Quattracenta -- aka guitarist/vocalist Sarah Matas (Home Recording Project), bassist Christian Sturgis (The Uniform, Lo Moda), and drummer Andrea Shearer (Saddle of Centaur, Pariah Piranha) -- are following their 2017, Dischord-distributed self-titled debut with Quattracenta II on October 16 via Bob Nastanovich's (Pavement, Silver Jews) Brokers Tip label. Like the debut, it was produced by J Robbins (Jawbox, Government Issue.
The band cite such influences as Slint, Earth, PJ Harvey, and The Birthday Party, all of which you can hear coming through in the brooding, minimal new single "What There Is." "'What There Is' was written surrounded by the feelings of desperation and hopelessness that so many of us are experiencing right now, as we endure blow after blow and fight to survive amidst increasing oppression," the band says. "The lyrics are intentionally abstract, given the scope and constant evolution of issues that those marginalized are facing, while the music helps to unify these things and emote a generalized feeling surrounding them. It begins as ominous and foreboding, and later emerges into a sudden cacophony to mark the culmination of these emotions having reached a breaking point." 00:49 01:39 We also asked Bob Nastanovich to tell us a bit about the band, and he said: Steve Johnson, from 20/20 Records and Tapes, sent me Quattracenta’s self-titled EP in 2018. I dug it and played a track on a music podcast I do with Mike Hogan called 3songspod (@3songspod). The intense tuneage they deliver gripped me and I imagined how formidable they’d be live. Kindly, Sarah Matas, part of the ‘Q’s’ powerhouse, reached out with interest in my non-profit, all proceeds to the artists label, Brokers Tip Records. Together, we picked two songs “What There Is” and “Bleeding Black” to slap on Quattracenta’s first 7” record. Quattracenta is a striking Baltimore band. Like the city in which they reside, Quattracenta impugns and are pungent like a heap of blackened onions or a finished bushel of blue crabs. It’s a pleasure to be associated with them. As Bob said, "What There Is" comes backed by "Bleeding Black" on a new 7" that's out now, and you can order that and pre-order the full record here. |
Review: The Big Takeover Magazine, Issue #83
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"The early to mid-80’s New York underground produced a dark strain of No Wave-influenced post punk bands such as Sonic Youth, Rat At Rat R, and Live Skull—amongst countless other unknowns—whose brooding, paranoia-inducing sounds oozed like napalm across an already-decayed urban landscape. Baltimore, MD’s Quattracenta—a quartet featuring former members of The Uniform, Lo Moda, Piranha Pariah, and Home Recording Project—could have easily been one of those bands, as their sound is so spiritually akin, it’s frightening. That said, the band are no mere copyists and thrust a very modern take on to those old tropes. Their J. Robbins (Jawbox/Government Issue)-produced EP shows them honing their bewitching/repellent, mechanic/organic clang to great effect. A strong debut." - The Big Takeover Magazine, Issue #83 (Brian Swirsky)
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“The American Quattracenta team was formed in 2016 in Baltimore. It consists of Sarah Matas (vocals and guitar), Joan Sullivan (guitar), Christian Sturgis (bass and vocals) and Andrea Shearer (drums). The debut EP "Quattracenta" was recorded and mixed by J Robbins (Jawbox / Government Issue) at Magpie Cage Studio, in Baltimore. The 24 - minute material contained on it was released on December 15, 2017. There are six unbelievable songs on the album, which surround you from the beginning to the end with the ubiquitous aura of anxiety. Sarah Matas' vocals, reminiscent of the great Shannon Wright, are immersed in dark climatic sounds that lazily flow forward, pushed by bass and percussion. Four Americans recorded a really delicious, "climatic" EP, rubbing against sadcore. Music perfect for autumn - winter evenings. I recommend this sad and beautiful tile.” (Google Translate)
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