DESOTO

Recording since the late '90s, Desoto has specialized in a ramshackle, lo-fi fusion of psychedelia and vaguely jazzy, disco-tinged indie rock. Over nine albums (and two EPs), Desoto's recordings have ranged from quirky instrumentals to introspective songs to long, loud improvisations. Not to forget, of course, the occasional odd cover.

Two new albums have been released in 2020. One, tndasii, in double- and single-disc versions, is a sequel of sorts to the full-on, kitchen-sink sound of The New Desoto All Stars, while Love Notes From The Bunker is a stripped-down collection of more intimate songs.

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Sibir

2020 | Stream and Download

A bit more experimental than previous records, Sibir features four lengthy tracks that began as three improvised guitar solos recorded in May 2020. Originally thought of as more of an ambient work, those solos were fleshed out over the summer and fall with many layers of drums, percussion, bass, keyboards, woodwinds, and various noise generators. Due to the unplanned nature of the original solos and the haphazard, ad-hoc arrangements after the fact, there is rather a loose feel to these recordings as they meander through passages of ambient feedback, free-jazz noise, and fuzz-tone blissouts. [NB: "Karacha" was filmed]

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tndasii (single disc version)

2020 | Stream and Download

An alternate version of tndasii in which the expansive -- and rather self-indulgent -- double album is edited down to a more accessible single disc.

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tndasii

2020 | Stream and Download

Recorded over a span of five years, tndasii is a sequel of sorts to 2013's The New Desoto All Stars. Whereas Love Notes From The Bunker was a collection of short songs with fairly simple arrangements, tndasii, a double album, mostly consists of longer, jam-based compositions with a more elaborate, layered sound.

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Love Notes From The Bunker

2020 | Stream and Download

A collection of small, relatively stripped-down songs, quickly recorded over a period of three years in between other projects. More intimate than previous albums, this record leans towards a more acoustic sound, though the fuzz-tone guitars still pop up in places.

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The Four Track Years: Selected Analog Recordings 1996-2003

2016 | Stream and Download

Between 1996 and 2003, Desoto recorded extensively on a Marantz PMD-720 four track tape recorder. Recently unearthed, this archive of over a hundred songs and instrumentals has now been restored with a full digital remix and remastering. This album collects the best tracks from the period and presents them in the best possible sound while still preserving the charming lo-fi character of the original tapes. 

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Eland

2015 | Stream and Download

A new collection of songs written and recorded in 2014 and 2015 that carries on the bigger, more layered sound of The New Desoto All-Stars with perhaps even more of a jazz and disco influence while still maintaining the indy-alt.country-rock sound of earlier releases. Recorded in Merrickville, Ontario with contributions from two local musicians: percussionist Gary Roberts (on brushed drums) and singer-songwriter David Ellis (on mandolin).

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Heavy Duty Contents [EP]

2014 | Stream and Download

A four track EP containing two outtakes from The New Desoto All-Stars as well as remixes of "Viva Bactra" (David Taylor's "The Business Version") and "Ballad Of A Slenderman" (Col. Bickerstaff & His Orchestra's "ToTheArkestra Version").

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The New Desoto All-Stars

2013 | Stream and Download

Though the Desoto name was retired in 2009, new recordings have continued to be made and are collected together on this album. Featuring a bigger, more layered sound than on previous Desoto records, The New Desoto All-Stars showcases a variety of influences from library music to disco to Ethiopian tezeta.

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Viva Bactra

2009 | Stream and Download

Essentially a compilation of over four years of recording boiled down to ten cuts, all entirely made through the wonders of the digital age.

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Sherman The Monkey & Other Holiday Favourites [EP]

2009 | Stream and Download

Small helping of tracks from the same period as Viva Bactra.  Includes a library-groove-ish reading of "The Safety Dance".

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"Musicians Are Cowards"

2005 | Stream and Download

Album of covers commissioned by The Influx, including songs by the Grateful Dead, The Slickers, and Will Oldham.  Recorded on four-track (for old time's sake) and mixed on to VHS!

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Cow Tree & Other Songs

2004 | Stream and Download

Mainly leftover tracks from orleansontario given the benefit of improved sound quality thanks to Desoto's discovery of digital recording.

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orleansontario

2003 | Stream and Download

A strong collection of songs that (despite the questionable album title) constitutes the culmination of many years of recording on a Marantz four-track machine.  To commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of the record, orleansontario has been restored, remixed, and remastered from the original tapes.

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Songs For A River

2002 | Stream and Download

Early album with most parts recorded on four-track and extensive digital overdubs (and mixing) courtesy of David "The Business" Taylor.  Resequenced in 2009, the album was restored and remastered for its twentieth anniversary in 2022.

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