Sandcatchers: Album Release

Sandcatchers was formed in the corner of Cheryl’s, a bustling soul food restaurant in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Given the opportunity for a weekly gig, oud player and guitarist Yoshie Fruchter called some neighborhood friends to see what kind of music they could make together. Joined by Myk Freedman, Michael Bates and Tim Keiper, a fresh sound was created blending the Middle Eastern trope of the oud with the dreamy, Americana-infused textures of the lap steel – and a new project was born. Featuring original music by Fruchter inspired both by Middle Eastern maqam and the Appalachian trail, Sandcatchers is a beautiful collaboration of sound and souls.

Capturing the vibe of the bluegrass/Americana scene spearheaded by musicians such as Bela Fleck and Yo-Yo ma with the Middle Eastern flavor of forward-thinking oud players like Rabih Abu Khalil and Ara Dinkjian, Sandcatchers has created its own tuneful world. Fruchter’s compositions are simple and catchy, but with an understated complexity that keeps the listener guessing. Each instrument plays a prominent role in every song, melodically contributing to the composition and enhancing the effect that this is a band, not a group of individual musicians.

An already accomplished guitarist and composer in the NYC world and experimental music scenes having recorded multiple albums for John Zorn’s Tzadik records among others, Fruchter breaks new ground with Sandcatchers. Moving away from the heavy, avant rock influenced sound of some of his previous music, he explores something more vibey, atmospheric and acoustic, while still retaining the melodic quirkiness and accessibility of his previous compositions.

Sandcatchers bandleader, oud player and songwriter Yoshie Fruchter is a student of the Armenian American oud virtuoso Ara Dinkjian and has made his mark with a style of playing and composing all his own. He is also a busy guitarist and bassist who has released two albums on John Zorn’s Tzadik records as a leader and played on three others. He is notable for his work in composing, performing and interpreting Jewish music and has constantly forged new directions with his music, regardless of genre.

A Canadian pioneer of the lap steel, Myk studied at the New School and has created a sound all his own on the instrument. From sweeping melodies to sound effects, Myk is truly a singular voice. In 2003 he moved from Toronto to NYC to study music and has since performed with John Zorn, William Parker, Elliot Sharp, Cyro Baptista and Kenney Wessel, as well as with countless others

A unique bassist and voice in the NYC jazz scene, Michael plays everything from standards to hardcore and keeps things rooted in Sandcatchers rhythm section. He is a compelling example of a musician in the new millennium. He is a near virtuoso double bassist, visionary composer, bandleader, curator and educator who thrives in many musical worlds.

Drummer and percussionist Tim Keiper transcends categorization. Based in NYC, he has spent the last 15 years touring the world, playing and recording with such diverse artists as Cyro Baptista, Vieux Farka Touré, John Zorn, Matisyahu, Dirty Projectors, Hazmat Modine, and Skeleton Key. Equally at home rocking explosive rhythms in the West African desert, laying down grooves in a jazz club, or constructing an avant-garde sound experience bordering on performance art, Keiper has a deep knowledge of an eclectic set of music traditions and genres. His ability to speak each musical language so authentically, yet imprint the music with his rich experience and canny sensibility, defines his inimitable playing.

Temim Fruchter is a DC-based writer, currently in the MFA program in creative writing at the University of Maryland. She believes in magic, collaboration, hot noodles and queer possibility. Her chapbook, I Wanted Just To Be Soft, came out on Anomalous Press in April 2016. Temim’s writing has appeared in [PANK], Tupelo Quarterly, The Washington City Paper, New South, jmww, The Account, Tishman Review, and others.