Media
Videos
Photos
Records
Low Self Control
2011Buy Album
Thao + Mirah
2011Buy AlbumReviews: Pitchfork | Paste Mag
Don’t / The Tears That Fall 7″ 2010 Buy Album
Gone Are All The Days – Remixes
2010Buy Album
(a)spera
2009Buy AlbumReviews: Dusted | Paste Mag
The Old Days Feeling
2008Buy AlbumReview: Pitchfork
Share This Place
2007Buy AlbumReview: Pitchfork
Joyride: Remixes
2006Buy Album
C’mon Miracle
2004Buy AlbumReview: Pitchfork
To All We Stretch The Open Arms
2004
Songs from the Black Mountain Music Project
2003Buy Album
Cold Cold Water 7″
2002Buy Album
Advisory Committee
2002Buy AlbumReview: Pitchfork
You Think It’s Like This But It’s Really Like This
2001 Buy AlbumReview: Pitchfork
Biography
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Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn
has been at the heart of the vibrant Northwest independent music scene ever since her debut album ‘You Think It’s Like This But Really It’s Like This’. A collection of her own 4-track recordings alongside collaborations with Phil Elverum of The Microphones/Mt. Eerie, the album became an instant classic. A follow-up to her first release, the stunning ‘Advisory Committee’ (2001) cemented Mirah’s place in the alternative music canon. These albums were an exploration of the territories beyond lo-fi, aiming to transcend mere technical limitations and to push the boundaries of ‘indie-rock’ towards a more meaningful communicative goal. Phil Elverum’s sound experiments collided with Mirah’s striking lyrical poise and unabashed emotional honesty and the resulting mix proved quite evocative. 2003 saw the release of ‘Songs from the Black Mountain Music Project,’ the result of a self-imposed artists-in-seclusion collaboration with Brooklyn-based artist and musician Ginger Brooks Takahashi. ⇒
- Mirah began working with Lori Goldston and Kyle Hanson of Seattle’s Black Cat Orchestra in 2003 and the release of a collection of cover songs followed. The album ‘To All We Stretch the Open Arm’ was conceived as an anti-war statement and included renditions of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Story of Isaac’ and Kurt Weill’s ‘What Keeps Mankind Alive.’ Mirah’s third solo album C’mon Miracle (2004) combined the ever-present youthful splendor of her earlier works with a more mature stylistic component which led many critics to hail it as her best work to date. A sonic expedition, Joyride: Remixes was released in 2006 and features dance remixes of tracks from Mirah’s three solo efforts by the likes of The Blow, Guy Sigsworth, Mt. Eerie and Anna Oxygen. Next, in 2007, came another turn with Lori Goldston and Kyle Hanson who had since re-created themselves as Spectratone International. Share This Place: Stories and Observations was the culmination of this second collaboration. ⇒
- The insect-inspired extravaganza became a multi-media performance featuring stop motion animation by Britta Johnson and 12 songs based in part on the writings of the influential French scientist/poet Jean Henri Fabre. A dip into the past brought forth 2008’s release of The Old Days Feeling, a collection of singles and previously unreleased rarities. In March of 2009, Mirah unveiled her latest full length solo album, (a)spera, which mixes her trademark lyrical sincerity with innovative instrumentation. August 2010 will see the release of the Gone Are All The Days 12“, a disco remix record that brightens up one of (a)spera’s darkest tracks with glittery energy and an empowered delivery. Also in 2010, Mississippi Records released a new Mirah 7″ of original 60′s girl group inspired songs called The Tears That Fall. Look for an upcoming Thao and Mirah full-length collaboration (featuring Thao Nguyen of The Get Down Stay Down) in April on Kill Rock Stars.
Cast
COLLABORATORS
In Alphabetical Order Adam SelzerRecorded one third of 2009′s (a)spera at his Portland OR studio, Type Foundry. Adam ThompsonAdam played with Mirah on her and Thao’s Most of All tour in the summer of 2010 Alex GuyAlex Guy has played violin and viola on a number of Mirah tours and recordings since 2009 and always manages to look very very good while doing so. Alex YusimovAlex has played accordion and guitar and tuba, among other things, on many of Mirah’s recordings, as well as produced The Tears That Fall 7″ and making the most favorite merchandise item ever- ” c’mon Mirahkraut “. Anna OxygenAnna Oxygen has toured many miles with Mirah and appeared as a guest vocalist on numerous Mirah recordings over the years. Anna re-mixed a track for 2006′s Joyride. (The) Black Cat Orchestra Bryce KassonBryce Kasson is one of Mirah’s oldest musical friends and collaborators and has appeared on a great number of recordings and been in many of the incarnations of Mirah’s bands. Bryce recorded The Garden with Mirah on Christmas day in the year 2001. Calvin JohnsonCalvin Johnson very casually asked Mirah if she wanted to put a record out on K, while they were lounging on a sofa listening to the juke box in the big room circa 1999. Christopher DoulgerisChristopher Doulgeris has contributed his clarinet, keyboard and dancing prowess to many of Mirah’s recordings and live shows since 2008 Danny SasakiDanny Sasaki played drums in Mirah’s band circa 2004. Eli CrewsEli Crews recorded the Thao & Mirah album with Thao and Mirah in 2010. Emily ZeitlynEmily Zeitlyn is Mirah’s sister, founder of her own band ‘The Weeds’, and appears on ‘Songs From the Black Mountain Music Project’. Forrest MartinForrest Martin has provided art direction and design on a handful of Mirah’s albums, and, once, his voice. He is a designer at North in Portland. Ginger Brooks TakahashiGinger Brooks Takahashi collaborated with Mirah to create 2003′s Songs From the Black Mountain Music Project. Guy SigsworthGuy Sigsworth re-mixed La Familia for 2006′s Joyride. Jane HallJane Hall has the hands that play amazing percussion in Spectratone International. Jherek BischoffJherek Bischoff is much taller than Mirah but still asked her to contribute to his almost completed full orchestral album. Julianna BrightJulianna Bright has recorded with and played shows with Mirah here and there over the years. Kane MathisKane Mathis plays in Specratone International and has accompanied Mirah on oud, guitar and kora. Khaela MaricichKhaela Maricich is an old and dear friend. She and Mirah have toured together many many times. And Khaela has appeared on a number of Mirah’s recordings.
Kyle HansenKyle Hansen is a co-founder of The Black Cat Orchestra and Spectratone International and has played accordion with Mirah on many recordings and at many live shows. Lauryn SiegelLauryn Siegel directed the video for ‘The Forest’ in 2010. Lori GoldstonLori Goldston is co-founder of The Black Cat Orchestra and has played cello with Mirah on many recordings and at many live shows. Melanie ValeraMelanie Valera is French. She re-mixed a song for 2006′s ‘Joyride’ and has toured with and played music with Mirah in many lands. Melissa DyneMelissa Dyne created the amazing cover art for 2006′s ‘Joyride’ together with SPIRITQUEST collaborator Khaela Maricich. Merrill GarbusMerrill Garbus is the band tUnE-yArDs and she co-produced the Thao & Mirah record in 2010. Phil ElverumPhil Elverum makes many beautiful things. He and Mirah have collaborated extensively in the studio and on stage since 1999. Rachel BlumbergRachel Blumberg has recorded with and been in Mirah’s band off and on since 2008. Seth LorincziSeth Lorinczi has recorded with and played shows with Mirah here and there over the years. Spectratone International Steve FiskSteve Fisk co-produced one half of 2007′s Share This Place. Tara Jane O’NeilTara Jane O’Neil is a genius. Thao NguyenThao Nguyen wrote and recorded the Thao & Mirah record together with Mirah in 2010. Themba LewisThemba Lewis has played bass on a number of recordings as well as been in various incarnations of Mirah’s band over the years. Tucker MartineTucker Martine recorded one third of 2009′s (a)spera and mixed the Thao & Mirah record at his Portland, OR studio, Flora. Willis ThompsonWillis Thompson lent his percussion talents and contagious smile to the Thao & Mirah with the Most of All tour in the summer of 2010. He builds percussion instruments from recycled materials and is a wonderful sweet person.
A ever-evolving list of artists Mirah has collaborated with over the years. This page will soon provide links to each artist’s website and key for understanding who contributed on each album.
Contact
(a)spera is the sound of a musician accomplishing the challenges she has set herself, both musically and communicatively. There’s an interdependent exchange of significance between the music and lyrics, and their subtle yet compelling message ends up staying with you long after the stereo is switched off.
- Pitchfork, March 10, 2009
BOOKING / PRESS
Label: Mariella Luz at K Records Booking: Ali Hedrick at Billions Press Inquiries: Caroline Borolla at Terrorbird Licensing / Publishing: Lauren Ross at Terrorbird