Ancient Songs of Burlap Heroes
This album is dedicated to those who recognize living as a heroic act: the occupiers of sunup barstools; the cubicle-planted; the ghosts of Greyhounds; the reasonably sketchy. A burlap hero is one who marches—consciously or not—back to the sea in hopes of making no splash, who understands and embraces the imperfection of being, and in that way, stretches the definition of sainthood to fit.
Nate Wooley
February 2022
Mary Halvorson Guitar
Susan Alcorn Pedal Steel Guitar
Ryan Sawyer Drums
Mat Maneri Viola, Track 2
Trevor Dunn Electric Bass, Track 4
Nate Wooley Trumpet and Amplifier, Compositions
1. (…..) 2:08
2. I Am The Sea That Sings of Dust 18:08
3. (…….) 2:51
4. A Catastrophic Legend 15:02
5. (……..) 2:58
6. Returning To Drown Myself, Finally 10:37
7. (……………) 4:43
Produced by David Breskin
Recorded by Ryan Streber at Oktaven Audio, October 14-15, 2021
Mixed by Ron Saint Germain at Saint’s Place
Mastered by Scott Hull at Masterdisk
Photographs by aAron Munson
All compositions 2021 © Nate Wooley
(fourwordseamusic, bmi)
“Returning To Drown Myself, Finally” is based on the Swedish dalakoral: “Nu är midsommar natt”
Photos from the series Isachsen, Nunavut
by aAron Munson aaronmunson.com
Design and layout by Spotswood Erving and July Creek for Janky Defense
A film by Frank Heath accompanies the record and may be found on Vimeo and the websites of Nate, Pyroclastic, and David Breskin.
Carbon offsets to neutralize the carbon emissions associated with the production and distribution of this album have been purchased through carbonfund.org.
Nate Wooley and Pyroclastic Records © ℗ 2022
natewooley.com pyroclasticrecords.com
My deepest thanks to Mary, Susan, Ryan, Streber, Saint Germain, Hull, and Munson for putting time, ears, and energy in helping this music come to be. Ever-growing gratitude is due to David Breskin for his technical and emotional help in making this record and to The Shifting Foundation, Pyroclastic Records, Chelsea Hadley, and Kris Davis for seeing these burlap heroes and giving them a place to live.