Physical Music - Stuart Bogie - What's New

Fall Upon Us

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Hi there,

It finally seem like Fall is coming to New York, and it is reliably gorgeous, even when its raining. What a wonderful place to live.

I have seen the world this year with the group Iron and Wine, hitting countries across Europe and cities accross the Us with more to come in the remaining months. An amazing group to work with, the songs take on an independent life with the road band - new styles, even key changes - keep us on our toes and engaged in sonic exploration.

Superhuman Happiness has continued to press away with our second performance at Celebrate Broken - this year was with The Heavy and London Souls. Playing in that park is one my favorite places to play in the world, and the folks who run things there make it entirely a pleasure to involved.

Our EP is complete and being released October 11th with a new video by Tatiana McCabe. Its coming out on Royal Potato Family records and we are delighted to be working them. While thats hitting the shelves we are putting the finishing touches on our LP, entitled HANDS, and hope to have that done by early 2012.

The band has been closely involved with The Red Hot organization producing track for some upcoming projects - we will let you know when those are out.

hope all are well!

Bogie

Superhuman Happiness and Iron and Wine

Tue, 03 May 2011 00:00:00 -0700

So, it been a year since i updated this - my father let me know it was time, so here's for you, dad!

The Fela! (i played the Fela sax stuff) musical ended its run at the Eugene O'neil theater with Patti Labelle taking over the role of Fela's mother. It was truly awesome to work with her: gracious, fun, incredible cook, and when she sang the earth shook! Sahr Ngaujah left the show early, which was a hard loss for me as I truly admire his performing ability and artistry. He said two things to the cast at his going away party: 1) he marked his hand during the day, so in dreams he could check his hand to see if he was dreaming - and if so he would enter a lucid dream state. 2) as if creating a diamond he would attack the stage as carbon changing into diamond, setting off a chain reaction - and with this in mind he would hit the stage every night striving to break us all from coal into diamonds.

So on Jan 2nd 2011 we were done with the Broadway run, on Jan 3rd Superhuman Happiness began a week of rehearsals for the recording session that will be the basis for our upcoming LP, tentatively titled "HANDS." Also in that week i began performing with my new touring friends Iron and Wine, led by Sam Beam. We have since spent a month in Europe, England, and the East Coast US performing fresh new arrangements of his beautiful songs.

Hope everybody is well!

All the best,

Stuart Bogie

Sahr Nguajah vs Superhuman Happiness

Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Sahr Ngaujah, of the Fela! musical has collaborated with Superhuman Happiness to create a new sound - soon to be available on Electric Cowbell/LMNOP records. Don't sleep!

Elysian Fields

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

I just had the pleasure of listening to, then sitting in with the great band Elysian Fields. Led by Jennifer Charles and Oren Blowdowe, this group makes music on another level.

short trip to Chicago

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Chicago was beautiful and it is always nice to my family. I don't know where i would be without them. I had the extreme pleasure of recording for Iron and Wine while there. I wish i could describe the music they are making over there but I won't even try. Suffice to say, i couldn't hear enough of it - clung to every phrase/traced every melodic line and interlocking rhythm. I wanted to stay all night. For the best, i did end up leaving the studio and went straight to Rodan where I sat in with Jeff Parker, Josh Abrhams and John Herndon. I have never been in such company playing such intricate improvisations. I got vertigo up there! Those men listen and anticipate and carry each idea. If you are ever in Chicago on a Tuesday night GO and hear these brilliant minds sing.

2010 Update

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Oh yeah February already! Just returned from a mind bending adventure in Mali, playing in Timbuktu and recording at Bogolan studio in Bamako with the Sway Machinery. We worked with the powerful artistry of Khaira Arby as well as Super 11 and ejoyed our time there very much. It was nice to return to the Fela! show - still filling houses and bathing in afrobeat. Superhuman Happiness is back in business for the year with a limited edition 7" called GMYL/Hounds and featuring the vocals of Jared Samuel and myself. In our recorded future is a collaboration with Sahr Ngaujah, lead from the Fela! musical. Also a collection of covers for night time relaxing, and of course our full length album, produced by Luke O'malley. Antibalas will be Australia and New Zeland in just a few weeks and it'll be fun to be there, all i hear is great things. Shoot me an email and say hello! - Stuart

Back in the New York Groove

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Who could resist a little Ace Frehley? His words rang true for me this week as i returned from all my excusions outta New York. For 09 im staying right here and getting down to business with Superhuman Happiness: 5 fridays in october at midnight, over at Zebulon - home to us and many wonderful artists. The summer was enjoyed amongst new and old friends, playing music accross europe and wrapping up the last TV on the Radio shows for a while. Their crew are an amazing bunch of individuals who i enjoyed seeing everyday and shared many fun times with. When i think about the people im surrounded by i feel lucky. really really lucky. the album is slowly coming together for superhuman happiness and we have completed mixes for an upcoming 7" that will point to a new direction for us. keep in touch, friends! - bogie

In Europe with TV on the Radio

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

I am currently in Europe enjoying the company of friends TV on the Radio, who are touring their record Dear Science and appearing at festivals across Europe. We have performed once so far, in Lisbon, and had a great time. The most dangerous aspects of these festivals is the sausages. They have delicious hot dogs every where and, being from Chicago, i find myself weak willed in front of encased meats.

Other than food lust I am having a lovely time with an amazing group of artists in a beautiful place. I haven't played with them in a month or so and gotta get my chops back to play nice and loud again.

all the best,
Bogie

in the Movies

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Thanks to my friend Joe McGinty, I'm playing some saucey tenor sax in the new Dustin Hoffman movie. You can hear it here: http://joemcginty.typepad.com/rastro3/2009/01/baby-im-yourslast-chance-harvey.html

Superhuman Happiness in the studio!

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Superhuman Happiness just finished a week in the legendary Stay Gold studios, where Dave Sitek produced breadth and depth in music (TVOTR Cookie Mountain and Dear Science, Celebration's The Modern Tribe, Foals' Antidotes and many more). Through his generosity we were able to afford time there and what a time we had! With up to 12 folks in the live room conjuring joy and excitement we laid down guitars, choirs, bells and percussion ensembles, pianos, drums, horns, and of course slide whisles and to guitars. Dan Huron engineered and we were in good hands the whole journey. I am beside myself with joy when i think about how much fun it was to work with so many people i love and admire. I thank my lucky stars! So stay tuned cause this will be our best work to date.

In other news, I had a lovely time recording a soundtrack under the direction of composer/producer Jeremiah Lockwood. The music called for classical clarinet and we got to play with real live string players! Yea! We are heading out on a short tour this week with Sway Machinery, maybe we'll see you in your hometown?

Sending you wishes for Peace and Love,

Stuart