B C N C: A MAP OF BLACK CONGO NC

Songs: Ohia — Lightning Risked It All

In the summer of 2004, I lived alone in an un-air-conditioned duplex. I was writing a lot of slow-mo sad bastard folk songs, and listening to Ghost Tropic and Astral Weeks on end. The incantations found on both were inspiring in me an earnestness I’d not yet known. I also clerked at the local indie-record shop, spending a lot of time with fellow clerk, Ian, who made dark ambient music that sometimes included field recordings of exotic birds. Influenced to the nth degree by Ghost Tropic, I asked Ian if he would record my tunes and add some layers of these exotic bird recordings. I told him I wanted it to sound like it was recorded in the darkest, deepest pocket of the Black Congo. I joking continued to call this non-project Black Congo IN. 

Two years later, now moved to Charlotte, NC, my new friend Ryan Miller and I recorded our first song, “Keif Moon,” into the audio hole of his laptop, and he insisted in putting it up on Myspace. He asked me what we should call the band. I suggested Black Congo NC and we never looked back.

On Sunday, this band — now 6 wonderful people deep — goes on what just may be its last-ever tour in support of a 2xLP called Live in Miami 1984. I’m very excited.