NPR Music Project Song: Chris Walla and J. Robbins

Not everyone can write and record a song in two days, but that's the Project Song challenge faced by Chris Walla (of Death Cab for Cutie), J. Robbins (of Jawbox and Burning Airlines) and Darren Zentek on drums. What made this project especially difficult was that the two had never even met before they stepped into NPR's performance studio.

But it didn't take long for Robbins to pick up his bass guitar, for Walla to pick up a guitar, and for the two to begin their musical friendship.

Some inspiration was supplied as the pair were given photo collages created by artist Tom Chambers. They chose a photograph of a house in a canyon filled with water, tilted and flooded. Not far from the house is a dog on a boat, floating either toward or away from the house.

From this image, the two were able to create a song they call "Mercury." You can hear the music and watch a video documenting the creative process

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Project Song
• NPR Music
• Tom Chambers
• Chris Walla
• J. Robbins
• Darren Zentek
• NPR

[Quantum313]

Where can i download this?

Awesome song

[jw112mail]

Walla is crazy talented and has a great ear

[BluddyBoy123]

Their voices sound absolutely perfect together. It makes me melt.

[xtelevisionset]

Moby was like, "fuck this shit."

These guys made a good song.

[ahemitsmex5]

Wow... He's innovative :)

Impressive

[TimViderman]

wow. they make it look so easy. Chris has such talent, he inspires me.

[professor7000]

What a great song.. Pure talented musicians

[waakkeuppp]

I would pay so much money for this song..i pray that they release an album together.

[thedukeofrosco]

Its mad to hear the influences and directions of like minded musicians. J. Robbins is to me such a huge influence and i can hear his stamp literally over every part of this tune. Chris Walla is a great pairing fairplay. Its a shame that Darren Zentek (drums) doesnt get more of a mention as he is such a rad drummer and fits very much in there with Robbins' style. Kerosene 454 were great. These are musicians with no bullshit and incredible musicality. A rare combination. I hope I hear more. Peas

[pebbles55667]

@Stundek umm. the song is Geometry &c  by Chris Walla :)

[Stundek]

any chance someone could give me the title of the song at the beginning of this? It's driving me nuts. Cheers.

[pebbles55667]

, Chris Walla♥ soooo cute.