Listen to Stefan Christensen Navigate the Stumbles of Modern Life

After a number of cassettes and EPs, Stefan Christensen now gets his material stacked in the 'big kids' section of the record store with the release of his debut full-length Shake Off the Village.

On the the album the New Haven high school teacher, known for his time in bands such as Estrogen Highs and Permanent Feels, utilises an ear for improvisation and loop driven four-track production. Songs draw inspiration from Christensen's daily life that include interactions with students,

"Over Scrawl", that you can listen to below, suggests a number of influences including the 1970s Midwest punk and the tension found on the catalogue of 1980s New Zealand label Xpressway. At times it even sounds like something Guided By Voices would have recorded after a three day bender.

Released on his own C/Site Recordings label, Shake Off the Village is in no way an 'easy' listen but the ebbs-and-flows and nimble guitar playing result in an ultimately rewarding experience.

'Shake Off the Village" is available Sept 1 through C/Site Recordings.

Stefan Christensen July and August shows:
July 20 - Washington DC at Rhizome
July 21 - Philadelphia at Kung Fu Necktie
July 22 - Brooklyn at 49 Shade w/ Nagual
Aug 11 - Helsinki at Akusmata
Aug 18 - Gothenburg at Truckstop Alaska
Aug 19 - Malmo TBA
Aug 22 - Copenhagen TBA

Image: Dave Hyde