Now It’s Overhead, the indie rock/indietronica project led by Andy LeMaster, are back with their first new music in 20 years. “eleven-seven-thirty-five” is one of two new tracks off their new digital EP, in the beginning, due out September 18 via Saddle Creek. The EP will come the first-ever vinyl pressings of their three albums, 2001’s self-titled, 2004’s Fall Back Open, and 2006’s Dark Light Daybreak, which have been remastered by LeMaster and are available for pre-order now. in the beginning also includes “the garden house” (released as part of a fundraising campaign for Brian Eno’s EarthPercent Foundation), “Dark Cycle” (from the Saddle Creek 50 compilation), and a cover of The Magnetic Fields’ “The Book of Love,” the b-side from 2004’s “Wait In a Line” single. See the cover art and tracklist below.
LeMaster says:
“eleven-seven-thirty-five” was written and recorded in the same time period as the songs that became the first now it’s overhead album. it was an earlier song among that bunch. it almost made the record and i’m nearly certain we played it live at the first few now it’s overhead shows. i rediscovered it recently while transferring some old reels of tape and i had forgotten how fully formed it is as a song and a recording.
hearing it now, the lyrics encapsulate the charged curiosity of that time period; the sense of possibility and wonder; the excitement of uncertainty. there’s a thread of longing in the lyrics to find love and connection while still early on my journey of self-discovery as a queer person. the imagery of being on the road was directly informed by a lot of bright eyes van tours around that time.
for the recording, clay played the drums and i did the rest. i was particularly pleased with how the oddly transitioning lush but trippy bridge turned out. this was before we had pro tools, so i remember the pain and delight of manually syncing up the tape machine to the ensoniq sampler to blend, bend, and manipulate the various vocal samples.
coming across it recently, i’m surprised i left it off of the first record, and i’m stoked to release it now.
Now It’s Overhead will also play their first show in 19 years this fall, at Athens’ 40 Watt Club on October 10.
NOW IT’S OVERHEAD – IN THE BEGINNING TRACKLIST
1. eleven-seven-thirty-five
2. sigh let go
3. the garden house
4. Dark Cycle
5. The Book of Love (The Magnetic Fields cover)