Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn‘s second album, Quiet in a World Full of Noise, offers a deeper exploration of their brand of ambient jazz than their wonderful first album. From our Notable Releases review: “Their chemistry sounds even stronger than it did the first time they teamed up, and they sound even more confident and comfortable together. Dawn’s voice is clearer and more prominent on this record; unlike last time, none of the songs are instrumental, and her lyrics often sound more personal and specific, closer to the writing style of her solo records. For Dawn, who’s changed her style up multiple times over the years, the ambient soundscape of Quiet in a World Full of Noise seems to be a place that she thrives.” You can listen to the album below.
For more on the album, we asked Spencer to make us a list of influences behind it. “I started writing Quiet in a World Full of Noise in my friend’s house, tucked into the forest outside of Woodstock, NY and finished it in my friend’s studio in Los Angeles,” he tells us. “I would wake up every morning with my dog, Theo, and turn on the first generation iPod that was hooked up to the stereo in the living room of the house. Listening to albums at random while making coffee and having breakfast with Theo. Later, I would listen to music while driving LA freeways on my way to the studio. This list of albums are some of the records that I was listening to around those times.”
His list includes albums that fit into Dawn & Spencer’s world (Brian Eno, Chet Baker, Talk Talk), and a few that you might not expect, like ’90s power-pop band Jellyfish. Check out his list and commentary below.
Spencer Zahn – 10 Influences of “Quiet in a World Full of Noise” for Brooklyn Vegan
Eberhard Weber – Later That Evening
I have been an Eberhard Weber fan since first hearing his music. His recordings sound amazing and his compositions are considered, spacious, and intense. He also uses voices in an interesting way which is not the norm in the genre he often exists within. Dawn and I wanted to play around with using her voice in new ways for our record too so this Eberhard album stood out to me in that way. Also how his own bass playing isn’t a consistent focal point for the songs is interesting. He makes great choices as an arranger and composer.
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Chet Baker – Chet Baker Sings
This record is a northstar in so many ways for me. The way that Chet expresses the emotions of the lyrics, his vocal and trumpet phrasing, the arrangements of these standards, and the band’s performances are masterful. I go back to “I Get Along Without You Very Well” constantly for inspiration. It’s also heartbreaking in the best way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKvNwl4pPKE
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John Martyn – Glorious Fool
John Martyn with his producer Phil Collins seemingly made “Glorious Fool” centered around the fretless bass playing of Alan Thomson. (Or at least I like to think that.) Thomson dances around Martyn’s vocals in such a delicate, melodic way. This is something that I am trying to do when working with Dawn. Shaping her vocals and lyrics with the bass and piano.
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Bill Frisell – Blues Dream
“Blues Dream” has been a favorite album of mine since first hearing it while working at my college library. The songs on this album are concise, windows to a world that feels honest to Bill and the band members (shout out to Kenny Wollesen!). It crosses genre in an intriguing way that keeps me in the headspace of this music the whole album.
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Jellyfish – Spilt Milk
Though “Spilt Milk” doesn’t share much songwriting or sonic similarities to our album, this record was what I listened to everyday in the car while driving to the studio. It’s such an adventurous album, especially in the early 90s when the music that was charting at the time was nothing like Jellyfish. I love it. “Russian Hill” especially is perfect.
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Lynn Avery & Cole Pulice – To Live & Die In Space & Time
This record was another car listen for me. I would play this album as I drove around at night, winding through the hills in Los Angeles. The sonic choices score the trees passing by as the headlights bring things in and out of focus. Cole Pulice’s use of intonation as melody is so beautiful. I can’t quite put it into words but the tension and release of their playing is powerful.
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Gavin Bryars – Bryars: Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet
When I think of music recorded to tape, I think of this song and album. The looping nature of it has a hypnotic feeling yet never seems to repeat. I don’t make proper tape loops, but I do record looping phrases to tape and did that for our album. “Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet” abstractly influenced the development of the arrangements on “Quiet in a World Full of Noise”. When we started adding strings to our album, it was about a year after I had listened to Gavin Bryars. But now writing this piece, I am realizing that this recording is quite influential for me.
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Ryuichi Sakamoto – async
Sakamoto’s albums are always swirling around in my head somewhere. “async” was definitely one of the albums I was listening to while working on our album. The resonance of each instrument on this album is captured beautifully. Each texture is thoughtful and additive. “fullmoon” has long been an influence on me both vocally and pianistically.
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Terje Rypdal & The Chasers – Blue
“Blue” is a slow burn in the best way. It feels very improvisational like the listener is discovering it alongside the band. There are songs that punctuate the moments of simultaneous discovery with moments of exacting compositions. An example of that is the song “Last Nite”. The sound palette that Rypdal and the band chose for this album is really modern, such good tones!
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Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
If asked what a perfect album is, “Laughing Stock” is one of the albums that comes to mind first. While trying to write about it I feel lost. What can you say and not say about this album? It’s perfect.
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Dawn and Spencer will be on tour for Quiet in a World Full of Noise starting October 22 in Minneapolis, and there are two Brooklyn shows at National Sawdust on October 29 & 30. All dates are below.
Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn Tour Dates
Tue. Oct. 22 – Minneapolis, MN @ Dakota
Wed. Oct. 23 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
Thu. Oct. 24 – Chicago, IL @ Old Town School of Folk Music
Sat. Oct. 26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Andy Warhol Museum
Sun. Oct. 27 – Toronto, ON @ Lula Lounge
Tue. Oct. 29 – Brooklyn, NY @ National Sawdust
Wed. Oct. 30 – Brooklyn, NY @ National Sawdust
Sat. Nov. 2 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
Sun. Nov. 3 – Boston, MA @ Institute of Contemporary Art
Sat. Nov. 16 – London, UK @ London Jazz Festival