Nina Nastasia - You Follow Me - Yellow - VINYL LP

The late pedal-steel guitarist Susan Alcorn leaves a final surprise hinting at new directions left underexplored on her collaboration with Nomad War Machine, the improvising metal duo of drummer Julius Masri and guitarist James Reichard. Their death-metal-influenced pummel adds new fire to her molten flow across a suite of improvised tracks that show off the vast range and simpatico of the trio.Julius Masri and James Reichard of Nomad War Machine InchAn unexpected opportunity arose out of a catching-up conversation where Susan had revealed a recent fascination with death metal, confessing, 'I'm 70 years old-I think about death!' She had learned a couple of Arch Enemy songs on her pedal steel, particularly compelled by their frontwoman's intensity and vigor as a performer. Voicing an appreciation for the hook-oriented sound of Swedish death metal made sense for a melodic thinker whose roots as veteran pedal steel player reached into the Texan Western swing circuit in the '60s and '70s. For her, ever the explorer, metal was a new, appealing point of departure into fresh musical territory. When she expressed an interest in playing with Nomad War Machine, it felt like there was a whole world of shared or complementary interests to explore.InchThough known for her fluency in jazz, country, and free improvisation, Alcorn had also studied Arabic, the oud, and maqam, with all holding a deep curiosity for her. Pre-'70s country & western music had also been a lifelong presence for both members Nomad War Machine. Masri, a Lebanese free-jazz and metal drummer, and devoted fan of Texas swing legends like Speedy West, Jimmy Bryant, Leon Rhodes, and Joe Maphis, was also steeped in Arabic music traditions. James Reichard, before coming to InchfreelyInch improvised metal, xenharmonic music, and non-Western tuning systems, had grown up being subjected to countless singalongs to numero

The hauntingly beautiful On Leaving from Nina Nastasia arrived perfectly formed and long overdue, finding the hugely talented, NYC-based singer-songwriter at her best. Nina Nastasia's rare gift of a voice is an intimate, winged presence with the ability to either freeze or melt your heart, that can powerfully soar and twist, or brush ultra-gently against you, suddenly summoning goose bumps. Mojo commented on it's ability to Inchsuck the air out of the roomInch. Simultaneously tough and fragile, her songs crackle and smolder with an intimate emotional honesty and a dark undertow. Marking it's 20th anniversary in 2026, On Leaving is available on vinyl again for the first time in nearly two decades. Remastered for vinyl by Josh Bonati in 2025, this On Leaving reissue is pressed onto limited edition Clear Glass colored vinyl.

Recording once more with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Nina engaged Los Angeles instrumentalist and arranger Paul Bryan to adapt her songs into a score for a small orchestra. Featuring drummer Jay Bellerose and Chicago guitarist Jeff Parker (Tortoise), Outlaster is aided by, all in all, a dream band. This album is a work of rich sophistication that, with no loss of distinction or economy, transcends the reach of Nastasia's famed sparseness. The orchestra takes a more formal approach with Paul Bryan's powerfully affecting score - hearkening back to the likes of Gil Evans and the late Phil Ochs - burnishing the record with lustrous horns and reeds and a dynamic string ensemble. After being out of print for more than a decade, Outlaster is finally available on vinyl again. Remastered for vinyl by Josh Bonati in 2025, this Outlaster reissue is pressed onto limited edition Burgundy colored vinyl.