Sincere Gifts' debut release, Ghost of America, is a skin-shedding reaction to the rapid upheaval across nearly all aspects of life in America. Rife with dark humor, but fuelled by sincere heartsickness, the songs touch on our national psychological despair (“Ghost of America”), diminished hopes for the future (“Fortunate Man”), corporate manipulation of individuals (“Monsanto v. Santo: The Boardroom Speaks”), the rise of white nationalism (“The Nationalist Anthem”), and rioting police (“Police Riot”).
While the band operates under the positive theme of "magic is real, you are loved," the intense realities of this moment in history required a direct response, hence this first batch of thematically darker material. These songs act as an artistic and spiritual colonic, arriving as hope glimmers precariously on the horizon.
Along with our long-time, Russia-based visual art collaborator, Deems, we are excited to launch new material into the world together again. Thanks for listening and watching!
credits
released February 5, 2021
All music and lyrics composed by
Nick Byron Campbell and Ben Wigler
Except "Monsanto V. Santo: The Boardroom Speaks"
Written with Alex Hornbake
Sincere Gifts is
Benben - voice, guitars, synth
Nick Byron Campbell - vocals, guitar, synth, bass
Dmitry "Deems" Kopytin - visual art
Featuring
Jonathan Smith - acoustic drums
Jeni Magana - bass, synth, flute, vox
Camellia Hartman - violin, vocals
Erica Mancini - vocals, accordion
Jon Ashley - acoustic drums
With
Jackie Coleman - trumpet on "Ghost of America (Quarantine Edition)"
Ben Hovey - trumpet on "Nationalist Anthem"
Stefan Zeniuk - woodwinds on "Nationalist Anthem"
Matt Zappa - additional acoustic drums (double bass) on "Police Riot"
Recorded by Jonathan Smith and Nick Byron Campbell
Mixed by Jonathan Smith
Except "Monsanto V. Santo: The Boardroom Speaks"
Recorded by Alex Hornbake, Nick Byron Campbell and Jon Ashley
Mixed by Jon Ashley
And "Nationalist Anthem"
Recorded by Jon Ashley and Nick Byron Campbell
Mixed by Jon Ashley
Mastered by Tom Tierney and Evan Bradford
Additional artwork and recording by Benben
Additional engineering on "Ghost of America" and "Fortunate Man" by James Byron Schoen
The long-awaited new record from Woods feels like a stereophonic dream full of whimsical instrumentation and good vibes. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 5, 2020