this is an old picture. add on 8 years.
I am so happy right now. In fact, I don’t think I’ve been this happy for 8 years. As you probably suspected, this is because new material from Isaac Brock’s side project, Ugly Casanova, released today. Ugly Casanova’s 2002 solo release, Sharpen Your Teeth, is still one of my favorite albums, and I’m not even mad that it’s taken him this long to release something new for the project, as I’m still absorbing the genius of that album.
The 9 new tracks were created for 180° South, a documentary that “retraces Yvon Chouinard’s and Doug Tompkins’ epic 1968 journey to Patagonia through the eyes of adventurer Jeff Johnson.” (Currently available on Netflix instant stream). Other contributors to the 180 South soundtrack include Mason Jennings, The Shins’ James Mercer,  Jack Johnson, and Love as Laughter…all great musicians. The soundtrack releases today on Brushfire Records.
I’m definitely going to be listening to the second track, “Here’s to Now,” for a very long time. A few other Ugly Casanova favorites include “Lay Me Down” and the rendition of  “Hotcha Girls” (my favorite track on Sharpen your Teeth).
Brock’s must read interview with Pitchfork answers the question you are like asking right about now.
Pitchfork: What made you decide to bring back your Ugly Casanova project?
IB: Well, the nitty roots of that is that it would have been a problem legally if I’d called it Modest Mouse. I don’t much like things to go by somebody’s name, like the Bob Jones Group Jam Band. I figured, since it was more than writing, it’d just be easier to consider it as another Ugly Casanova project.
Happy Ugly Casanova day!
180 South OST (2010):
(mp3)Â Ugly Casanova – Here’s to Now
Hey, just watched this documentary on Netflix and thought the soundtrack would be great. Excellent music, I recognized Jack Johnson. Thanks for the post.
This is the most exciting music find I’ve had in a long time. Thank you!!
Awesome, thanks for letting me know! Glad you’re enjoying it as much as I am :)
Ahh! You helped me solve the mystery. Loved the movie “180 South” and the whole time I’m watching it I’m thinking about how I want to get my hands on the soundtrack. Which I did. Ok, James Mercer is on the album and I know of him from The Shins/Broken Bells. But Ugly Casanova…who is that? And why am I hearing Modest Mouse? Alright…Isaac Brock. You put the name to the voice and I’m a wiser music lover for it. Mahalo!
Long story long: Came across your site via a search to to find out if Congratulations had put out any new music yet (no, apparently), saw your comments and bands I’d never heard of (I’m very not cool) and was listening through and came across the new Ugly Casanova tracks. Had no idea (again: not cool). Sharpen Your Teeth is an excellent album and it’s great to know there’s new music. Thanks for posting.