Edges Re-Run

Remix EP available now!

FROM THE BAND…

Mipso has four members, but it doesn't tell the whole truth to say our music is made by four people. We've always had trusted friends add their special sauce to our albums and shows. The four of us have pretty specific collective musical and decision-making habits honed over the past 7 years, and that's a huge part of what makes Mipso sound like Mipso. But we like to include a healthy dose of fresh perspectives just for the fun of keeping the process from feeling stale--and to keep us from killing each other over 7-year-old arguments. Of course we have guest musicians who are practically band members, like our boy Yan, and for recordings we've had thoughtful producers and engineers to tell us when we suck and help us get unstuck when we can't figure out, for example, a harmony part or when a chorus just doesn't feel quite right. 

1. Edges Run (FTSE Remix)

So there's Mipso, and then there's Mipso family. We thought it would be fun to try some Edges Run remixes by handing family the reins. We’re calling it Edges Re-Run. Mark Goodell, Shane Leonard, Jason Berger, and Josh Story are all trusted buds who have inhabited our process and helped shape our sound over the years. We wanted to see where they would transform these songs they already know so well. And in keeping with our collaborative constant, we figured: what better time to reach out and bring a new voice into the fold? Enter new Mipso family member FTSE, a great England-based remix artist who has a talent for leaning into the true heart of a song even while reinventing it.  - Joseph

2. Take Your Records Home (Story Remix)

Josh Story is a Grammy-nominated audio engineer and modular synthesist, but long before all that he was the sousaphone player in my high school marching band. As a 16 year-old, he already knew that he wanted to make beats and manipulate sounds for his life's work, and he's been pursuing it ever since. I played some violin on his first-ever recordings back in 2008 or so; we asked him to finally return the favor and remix "Take Your Records Home." Josh's full-time gig these days is designing and recording sounds for Output (an LA audio software company), where he makes decisions like how many octaves you should be able to pitch a string sample, so his brain is attuned to the infinitude of possibilities in a recording. It's a joy to see one of your oldest friends come into creative selfhood, and a bigger one to hear them transform your own work. - Libby

 3. People Change (Shane Leonard Remix)

Shane Leonard has been a constant companion since we first met him at a show we played with Kristin Andreassen and her kickass band in Northampton about 5 years ago. We love his solo records, his contributions to Field Report, every album he's produced and we especially dig the drumming he added to our album Edges Run. Shane always has an idea, and always loves hearing yours. And those musical qualities mirror what it's like to have a friendship with him as well--he can't help but make you better. I remember so distinctly the moment when Shane played a snare part that completely changed how I knew the song "People Change" (with credit to another one of our collaborative heroes, producer Todd Sickafoose). It seemed only right to see what else he could add to the life of "People Change" through this remix. - Jacob 

4. Golden Kettle (Mark Goodell Remix)

Mark Goodell is a rare breed in the audio world: equally talented as a studio engineer and as a live engineer on tour. It's something like the distinction between landscaping and gardening. Similar skill set, different approach. Live sound demands an intense attention to detail––constantly tweaking 22 individual channels while nailing cues to increase vocals for harmonies or instruments for solos––and also a type of improvised performance, responding to our stage dynamics like another band member. Mark was our fifth man on the road for about a year and a half, so he probably knows how to read our style and our decisions better than we do. (None of us have watched 180 Mipso shows.) He's also one of the only people who can tell us straight up, "Not your best show, guys." Hurts to hear, but also helps. He's employing this deep Mipso knowledge as the engineer and mixer of our upcoming record. He's a super patient and thoughtful collaborator, and I think you can hear that in his take on "Golden Kettle." - Joseph

5. Edges Run (Jason Burger Remix)

We're really fortunate to get to work with great percussionists on our records and our bandstands. Yan and Shane have left tough thrones to fill. Cue Jason Burger.  We first saw him on tour with our friend Courtney Hartman, playing an incredibly tasteful drum kit and adding beautiful warm synth textures to her songs. His touch left us in awe, so we hoped he would put a similar stamp on one of ours.  The maestro managed to take our original song recording of “Edges Run”––which has a rhythmic character steeped in variety––and created a constant, forward moving halftime groove that locks with the rest of the rhythm section. - Wood