Louisville-based symphonic rock outfit Rachel’s is eyeing an October release via Quarterstick/Touch & Go for its next studio album, “systems/layers.” Principal member Jason Noble tells Billboard.com the album features “a healthy chunk” of the music from a theater piece of the same name, conceptualized by New York-based theater group The SITI Co.
According to SITI’s official Web site, the piece “follows an international tourist through a city as she is swept by the tide of humanity. The piece is intentionally being created without text. Using movement, music and an aural soundscape, we will tell the stories of these urban dwellers through the poetry of their bodies.”
The music came together as Rachel’s participated in live rehearsals. “It’s been really cool to work this way,” Noble admits. “It’s made us have to think on our feet and just improvise more than we had before.”
Among the guests contributing to the music are vocalist/Quarterstick labelmate Shannon Wright and members of the Louisville Orchestra. In addition, Rachel’s incorporated field recordings sent in by friends and fans. “It sounds confusing when it’s written,” Noble says. “It’s basically a mess like all of our records. We like a mess.”
Noble says both Rachel’s and SITI are gathering funds in hopes of presenting “systems/layers” live in 2004. Rachel’s is also planning to tour, but Noble says, “we don’t know when exactly.”
“Systems/layers” will be the first Rachel’s album since 1999’s “Selenography.” In 2000, the group collaborated with experimental electronic duo Matmos on an EP, “Full on Night.”
