Animal Collective‘s Dave Portner (Avey Tare) and Brian Weitz (Geologist) have formed new instrumental duo offshoot Croz Boyce, and will release their self-titled debut album on May 8 via Domino. The name is a nod to the late David Crosby, and adding to the AnCo family affair, Josh Dibb (Deakin) helped mix the album.
Here’s some backstory from the label:
Five years ago, Animal Collective released a track called “Brown Thrasher,” part of a massive charitable compendium called For the Birds. It was a curious little drift, single acoustic notes acting like opened windows for rays of electronic sunshine. To divulge a little liner notes data, that was just Portner and Weitz, working through their mutual adoration for a springtime idyll. The two liked the partnership, and, as the rest of their main quartet was busy with other projects, decided to keep going. Starting in early 2023, and almost without exception, Portner would write a guitar theme in his Blue Ridge redoubt and send it to Weitz in the heart of D.C. He’d react to each instrumental and send it back. Aside from a shared mixing session in rural North Carolina and another in Baltimore with Animal Collective’s Josh Dibb, that’s how easily Croz Boyce came together—two longtime pals, passing the time by making music together.
You can listen to the tranquil, dreamy opening song, “Hanging Out With a Blueberry Pop” now.
Geologist released his solo debut in January.
Croz Boyce – Croz Boyce
1. Hanging Out With a Blueberry Pop
2. Towson Acid
3. What If Janis Just Stared?
4. Abundant River Zap
5. Steven’s Sunshine Rejected
6. Father Karras
7. Janis (Still Staring)
8. Eternal Dream Drone
9. Banana Pudding