Mossing Around & Other Songs was an EP originally released on King Of Truth Records in 2018 as a limited physical edition of 30 10” vinyl records, with no digital counterpart. The recordings, taken by the label-founder Richard Aufrichtig, featured live arrangements of songs written and performed by Ethan Woods, with Alice Tolan-Mee on cloudy cello and Aaron Smith on mossy laptop. Shortly after the 10” was released, Ethan and his partner Lauren, along with their dog Pickles, moved to Asheville, NC. Upon their move back to NYC a year and a half later, the time for working on the digital release had arrived. There are two versions of each of the three songs presented here: one ‘real’ and the other ‘hyper-real.’ The ‘real’ version features the recordings as they were presented on the original 10”, and was sourced from Aufrichtig’s personal vinyl copy. The ‘hyper-real’ versions, mastered by Rusty Santos shortly before COVID-19 hit, feature additional instrumentation from Woods, overdubbed upon arriving back in New York last fall.
What are these songs? Proud ballads about being alone, not wanting to leave your couch, and deep-dives into the indecisive murk. While on paper that may sound a bit morose, if not totally indulgent, the execution contains many sublime moments, particularly from Alice and Aaron’s performances and Richard’s intuitive recording ear, that lift the words beyond the land of woe is me. There is a spiritual search going on here. Perhaps Ethan Woods sums it up best with his description of the record: “I picture mysterious carvings in rocks and cozy pink blankets. I hope you enjoy <3 - Ethan.”
credits
released July 31, 2020
22% of all proceeds from digital sales of this release will be donated to The Loveland Foundation. The Loveland Foundation was established in 2018 by Rachel Cargle in response to her widely successful birthday wish fundraiser, Therapy for Black Women and Girls. Her enthusiastic social media community raised over $250,000, which made it possible for Black women and girls nationally to receive therapy support. Black women and girls deserve access to healing, and that healing will impact generations.
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