2 Foot Yard: Borrowed Arms

Musician Carla Kihlstedt never fails to astound me. She’s always got her nimble fingers stuck in multiple pies, all invariably delicious. Right now a Kihlstedt taste sensation I can’t get enough is 2 Foot Yard, her independently produced trio with cellist/vocalist Marika Hughes and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily. Their new album is entitled Borrowed Arms and the title track is as scrumptious a slice of swingin’ dream pop as you’ll hear this year. Click over to 2 Foot Yard’s MySpace page and give it a listen. From their latest press release:

Borrowed Arms is scheduled to be released in the US on March 4th. Help us finish the CD by pre-ordering now and in return you will receive a signed copy in your hands before everyone else. Pre-ordered copies are available for a limited time.

In the spirit of community and paying it forward, we’ll be donating $.50 from every copy of Borrowed Arms sold in the US both to Food Change in Harlem, NYC and to the Canyon School organic gardening project in Canyon, CA to help promote community-based education and awareness of sustainable agriculture and nutrition as well as daily free meals to those in need.

These are people of the highest integrity. I love them dearly. Go say hello.

9 Responses to “2 Foot Yard: Borrowed Arms”

  1. Ben Morris Says:

    I first heard (and heard of) 2 Foot Yard when they opened for Sleepytime Gorilla Museum approximately two and a half years ago here in Atlanta. The crowd was too loud the first couple songs to really hear them well but after that is was wonderful. I shall most likely pre-order this new album.

    Lately I’ve been listening to the Fred Frith’s The Happy End Problem somewhat obsessively; Carla plays violin on the album. Every album, band, project or whatever she seems to find herself in or involved with that I have heard is superb.

  2. Lauren Says:

    Carla is so absolutely lovely. I see her again on the 15th. I’m incredibly excited. She’s so sweet.

    For those who are like “This is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, must see moar,” I’ve photographed her twice. She’s gorgeous.
    http://flickr.com/photos/fairytalevegas/sets/72157601542456358/

  3. Karen Says:

    You always know where the best music is being made, Mer. Thanks for pointing us toward this.

  4. Ben Morris Says:

    …wow. I just looked at the Necessary Monsters link; Carla composing and performing a piece inspired by Jorge Luis Borges’s Book of Imaginary Beings is one of the most exciting ideas I’ve heard in quite awhile. Borges is my favorite author of short stories and I can’t really think of anyone better suited to put his ideas to music.

    For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading Borges here are two of his stories:
    The Aleph
    The Library of Babel

  5. Nadya Says:

    Ben, Borges is my favorite short story writer too! Whatever part of my brain likes him is also the part of my brain that’s interested in interactive design. I love Death and the Compass, and Pierre Menard, Author of Don Quixote. But my favorite story will always be Tlon, Uqbar and Orbis Tertius. Actually, the little comic by Shintaro Kago that I posted yesterday made me think of Borges too, so it’s funny that you brought him up today!

  6. Ben Morris Says:

    Nadya: My favorite story of his changes depending on what time of day it is, sunspot activity, and (most importantly) which ones I’ve read most recently. My most common answers however would probably be Funes, his Memory; Tlon Uqbar, Orbius Terius and The Library of Babel.

    Also I recently finished Bulgakov’s the Master and Margarita and liked it quite a lot. I read it due to your and Zoetica’s post, thank you for the recommendation.

  7. melanie Says:

    love.them.

    thank you for always keeping me in music.

  8. Nadya Says:

    Ben! You finished the book! I remember you mentioned picking it up a while back. I’m glad you liked! A long time ago I wanted to be a film director and my ambition was to direct a film version of it. That will probably never happen, but if it’s done right, how awesome would such a film be?

  9. wileypeter Says:

    I am chomping at the bit, and March Fourth is too far away. Thank you for covering this, and reminding me to pre-order the CD.

    Was anyone here at the show at Amnesia in January 2006? It was not a proper 2 Foot Yard show, as Marika was called away to deal with a family tragedy in New York, a double problem as Charming Hostess was also on the bill for the night. Rather than cancel the show, 2FY and ChoHo enlisted Faun Fables and Ramon & Jessica and turned it into celebration of Marika’s family member (and a “raise money for Marika’s plane ticket” event). Shahzad played with everyone, and seeing ChoHo and not-2 Foot Yard pull off the show on the fly was wholly heartwarming. Shahzad’s monologue comparing the average bass player to Marika? Solid gold.