Simon Martinez:

Initially a concept album about the book of job, Zane and I almost immediately lost focus and started making stuff that we thought sounded cool.
Each instrumental is built around a single improvised take of guitar and drums. Once the initial take was in place, overdubs were added right away without any preconceived notions about what should be done. All tunings were made up on the spot and all compositional choices were decided on the spot. For the vocals we thought it was important to capture all the imperfections of our voices while also also making them as abrasive as possible (as if we’re being branded with a hot iron during the take). Vocals were recorded over a week long period at my apartment.

The book of pulgas is an attempt to create an honest representation of what Zane and I are capable of as musicians. Without any editing or cleaning up in post, what can we actually make? What can you do without delay or reverb? What do we sound like without warp markers?

These songs are about suffering, fear, love, joy, regret, uncertainty, total clarity, friendship, hatred, birds, celebration, swords, loss, stupidity, water, sickness, god, tummies, buns, finances, Wall Street, job, medial tasks, medieval times, when they leave, embarrassment, a creek, the horns, paranoia, wind, your phone, and many many other things.

Endless reservoir of thank yous to Tom Spiker. Each time Zane and I would get together to workshop the project, we always knew it had to be at Spike’s studio, Undercarriage. The low-key home studio nature blended with the racks of DW Fearn pre’s and AEA mic cache allowed Zane and I to get an incredible sound without the pressure of being on the clock in a sterile studio environment. Much love Tom, hope we didn’t scare your family or Tony too much.

Tone Whitfield is not on the album but he is there in spirit. A lot of the choices I make on these recordings are informed by his approach, so I want to thank him…. It’s all good though.

Sanche Ramirez is also not on this album but he is there in spirit. Countless inebriated sessions at his studio helped shape the atmosphere and feeling Zane and I wanted to capture on the project, so I want to thank him. We’re rethinking burger night everyone, we’re rethinking burger night.

Track 6 features a guest appearance from the one and only Alex Kulick. He has been an essential part of the sound of Pulgas since the beginning (he penned Ask Alex/The Whip) and has always pushed me to experiment and dig deeper musically. Cheu cheu maw maw *clears throat forcefully, full volume*.

Thank you to Dylan Neustadter and Mikey Palladino. Their reaction to hearing this project for the first time solidified to me that the music was working as intended. “Here am I- all way- at the un- under the dial.”

Lastly, there is little else in this life that brings me as much happiness as making music with Zane Shields. We have such a silly hyper specific idea of what we both find interesting about sound, and when we come together to record we just zone in and it’s endless laughter. It’s an honor and a privilege to work with him. A round of applause, fantastic volume 1, white wine in a teacup, hey guys it’s me, collect call via cat construction flip phone, make some noise, when the Dover check clears we’ll all be rich, there’s a bear in the big blue house, Mr. Dr. vibrations, Mr. Heater, Mr. I love music 24/7, the circus just came to town and the animals are running wild, there’s a fire, life’s good, every key, every trophy, Charlie the bird Parker, it’s just a victory lap at this point, I got my fingers in your phone etc.

I think that’s everything.
This is the most excited I’ve ever been to share music.
Listen all the way through if you can. The very last track is optional. The true ending is track 15.

Love you Michelle, Jaime, Bella and Eva.


Zane Shields:

Yes

“No one asked for it and no one wants it”

light a flame to all you hold valuable, easè
when sime and I get in a room, afterwards
Bingo! Yahtzee, absolute celebration of sound- we have stripped down, bring in the horns, the suffering of Job was tremendous, raw and direct , aux boom, the clanking of the offering bowl
The book, feels good sailing the author ship, kuul daddy plays sax, what an honor, King Arthur is everything I have to offer philosophically to this world, sometimes u shit gold, let the good times roll, laughter at every little bite, got lost somewhere by the creek, music has grown a bit stale needed a bit of a reshuffling of atoms, this feels huge, very YES thank u for listening 199

Thank u to Sime for this push of the envelop and for being my brother first and Foremost
Thank u to spikelee tom for everything, these sounds are a long time coming and we love u and appreciate u for the space and guidance
Thank u to sir mr kuul daddy the 1st of his name, Chaz Michael MurrAyy, Cab Calloway, and UG

More to say but no need to, the music is worth a listen, go anywhere the wind blows, safe travels