escalade

A one-man project driven by New Yorker-expatriate Greg Sullivan. A ten-song album debut album "ODO" was written and recorded during a six-year sojourn abroad in New Zealand and Japan. Work in New Zealand initially begun with a core set of 5 tracks, and new songs were developed later whilst living in Fukuoka, Japan. The full-length follow up to 2008’s “Xs & Os” single on the UK label Cuckundoo Records, Sullivan took his sweet time in maniacally crafting sounds that would stick. Steeped in the presence of the Japanese laptop ambient and local experimental ‘onkyo’ scenes, the context surrounding ‘ODO’ helped shape its thematic nods to several diverse genres. Stylistically echoing New York City guitar love as well as 90’s Chicago production, Escalade mixed half of the debut with engineer John McEntire at Soma Studios. In the truest sense of the word “album”, “ODO” is a musical diary assembled from over a half decade of musical exploration, reaching all the way back to its 4-track beginnings in 1998. Dense layers of multi-tracked guitars, strings, horns, and synths bring Sullivan’s angular and lilting guitar playing to new heights. Arrangements dangle from the ceiling- scintillating, separating, and merging again in unexpected places, ultimately weaving together a sonic fabric of hypnotic pop. With “ODO”, Sullivan renders an impressionistic collage, representing the myriad of places and faces encountered along this exotic time in exile. Serendipity brought new friends who became guest players and eventually band members for both recording sessions and live tours in West Japan and the UK. Along with help on vocals by Sumiyo Hamada (from Tokyo’s Moomlooo and UK’s Smile Down Upon Us] is bowed guitar from Australian improviser Anthony Guerra. Studying the traditional Japanese shamisen, Sullivan includes arrangements augmented by the 12-stringed koto as well.
“ODO” is to be followed by a video for the single “Elation Code,” and a remix EP in summer 2010.
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