Pagoda

Pagoda Bio

“Pagoda is not a part time job for Pitt; he is not an actor out on vacation here. He is an artist with living expression as his goal and music is where he thrives. And Pagoda as a live band kicks much ass.”

-Thurston Moore (sonic youth)



Pagoda began as a musical concept dreamt up by Michael Pitt who was only twenty-one at the time. The name arose from the recording Michael learnt to play guitar on, the record was called sessions of Pagoda. Pagoda the band was soon to be formed. Michael went to Italy and had guest musicians perform on the record. They recorded the record in Italy with Luca Amendolara. After spending two months in Italy the first Pagoda album was released through Thurston Moore’s label Ecstatic Peace. That known line up of Pagoda dismantled and Pagoda’s current inception began including Michael Pitt, Chris Hoffman, Reese Carr, and Willy Parades. Pagoda toured Europe with their first album playing shows in Paris, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, and Rome. Pagoda has not yet toured the United States. However they do play shows in their native New York City.

Pagoda’s sophomore album, which is about to be released, was recorded live in Brooklyn with Hugh Pool at Excello Recordings. This new music represents the journey that Pagoda has taken to lead them on their current path. Michael’s original sound was inspired by the likes of Sonic Yoth, PJ Harvey, Nirvana and the Pixies. This new direction has seen Michael grow as a musician and inspiration comes from a trip to Morocco where Michael was introduced to Gnawa music. Gnawas play deeply hypnotic trance music, marked by low-toned, rhythmic sintir melodies, call and response singing, handclapping and cymbals. We can hear this new influence in the new record. Its sounds are magical and will entrance you.

The new record was recorded in an altered tuning which allows the sound of the east to be in place. The strings are such an integral part of Pagoda because it is able to capture the spirit of Eastern music while still combining sounds of the West. The release of this new record marks the return of Pagoda and this time they’re here to stay.