“I started re-listening to some of my favorite songs from that period in that hotel room, by the Beat Happening, Pavement, Fugazi, The Breeders, Guided by Voices. It struck me as crazy that these songs and the feelings that accompanied them were now over 25 years old. It started seeming odd to me that for some reason, indie rock hasn’t been canonized the same way ‘60s and ‘70s rock has. After all, Dinosaur Jr were my Led Zeppelin, Sonic Youth were my Grateful Dead and Built to Spill were my Steve Miller Band. These were my classics!
“I always travel with my portable studio gear, and I immediately sat down and started learning and recording a collection of my favorite songs. I spent my 4 days of the 2019 Polar Vortex creating the blueprint for what would become ‘Quarter Century Classix’. When I got home to LA, I invited my friends Julianna Barwick, William Tyler and Mary Lattimore to my home studio to add their magic to my recordings as I knew they grew up in reverence of the same records I did. These three genius musicians became the ‘band’ who you can hear framing these covers and I am eternally grateful for their talent and generosity. Later, Maria Taylor, Mike Watt, Petra Haden and Joey Waronker all showed up to play too.
“To some people these songs are just footnotes in pop culture history. But to me, they are the essence my own personal history. I wanted to make this record a tribute to these bands, to these songs, and to the irreversible way music can touch and transform the life of young person. I hope you enjoy ‘Quarter Century Classix’.” - Ben Lee
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: This is clearly a labour of love for Lee & co, and the dedication and appreciation for the source material shines through these covers. With his keen ear for melody, and addictive hints of alt-folk and classic indie, 'Quarter Century Classix' is a triumph.TRACK LISTING
Web In Front (Archers Of Loaf)
Blueprint (Fugazi)
Divine Hammer (The Breeders)
Car (Built To Spill)
Sugar Kane (Sonic Youth)
Get Me (Dinosaur Jr)
In The Mouth A Desert (Pavement)
Goldheart Mountain Top Queen Directory (Guided By Voices)
Speeding Motorcycle (Daniel Johnston)
Brand New Love (Sebadoh)
Ingrown (Smudge)
My Noise (Superchunk)
Godsend (Beat Happening)