Album Notes

2 Foot Yard-(n.)1. a very small urban garden in which things grow organically, both feeding off of and defying their greater context. 2. a short-changed measurement

These three outstanding young musicians take their audiences on a genre-defying journey through soundscapes that are as innovative as they are accessible. This is violin, cello and percussion as you've never heard them--played with power, passion, humor and virtuosic wit. In the hands of this bold and hard-grooving ensemble, each piece is a miniature slice of life that will change your viewpoint and charge your emotions.

2 Foot Yard shatters the boundaries between art song and pop song by merging the visceral power of rock with the intimacy and warmth of chamber music. Violin, cello, voice, and drums combine to create a cacophony of harmonic (im)balance culled from an astonishing array of musical influences, from acoustic punk to the twang of old country love ballads. This trio features Tzadik recording artist Carla Kihlstedt (Tin Hat, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, The Book of Knots) on violin and vocals, Marika Hughes (Charming Hostess, Vienna Teng) on cello and vocals, and Shahzad Ismaily (Marc Ribot' Ceramic Dogs, Secret Chiefs 3, Laurie Anderson) on percussion and guitar, and guarantees an off-kilter ride through the worlds of drama and melody. Combining the harmonic breadth of contemporary classical music and the spontaneity of improvisation, their diverse musical backgrounds come together in one cohesive and unique voice as 2 Foot Yard performs genre-breaking instrumentals and vocal miniatures.

In the spirit of community and paying it forward, 2 Foot Yard will be donating $.50 from every copy of BORROWED ARMS sold in the US both to Food Change in Harlem, NYC and to the Canyon School organic gardening project in Canyon, CA to help promote community-based education and awareness of sustainable agriculture and nutrition as well as daily free meals to those in need.