Call them "post-rock," "post-metal," "post-whatever," but all I know is that Staghorn make music that gets lodged into your skull long after the songs end. Based in Champaign-Urbana, IL, the power trio create instrumentals that have been compared to the likes of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mogwai, but there's something truly unique about what Staghorn are cooking up.
The band got on my radar thanks to Justin Pearson (Dead Cross, Swing Kids) and their new EP, Wormwood III, has been a constant companion in these last couple of weeks. Recorded at Matt Talbot's (guitarist/singer of Hum) Earth Analog Studios in Tolono, IL by Aaron McAllister, Wormwood III feels more like the soundtrack to a stirring drama than it does a rock record, and I love that. If you're a Slint fan, you should definitely pay attention.
Listen to the track "Wormwood III - Movement 4" from the EP below and see what I mean:
In addition to Staghorn, the group own and operate both Leave Your Mark Print Shop and Mills Custom Amps, creating their own amps, cabinets, and merchandise. Oh, their vinyl releases are predominantly made of recycled materials. Can these folks get any fucking cooler?!
Arriving in stores on June 21, Wormwood III will be released as a one-sided, etched 12" EP pressed on 180 gram vinyl. The record is an edition of 500 - 300 Coke bottle clear with brown swirls and 200 on random mixed vinyl ( Shuga Exclusive ). This limited first edition release will be screen printed by hand on recycled paper. You can pre-order the album at this link.
Upcoming Staghorn shows:
June 19 - Springfield, IL @ The Black sheep w/ LUME
June 20 - Rock Island, IL - Rock Island Supper Club w/ Cloud Rat and Closet Witch
June 21 - Lincoln, NE @ Duffy’s Tavern
July 5-7 - Urbana, IL @ Audiofeed Festival
September 20th - Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana w/ yndi halda
September 21st - Canterbury, UK @ UCA Union Bar w/ yndi halda
September 22nd - London, UK - Omeara
October 19-20 - Indianapolis, IN @ Post Rock Festival
October 27 - Gainesville, FL @ THE FEST
Tagged: staghorn
