GROUPER - Ruins

"Ruins was made in Aljezur, Portugal in 2011 on a residency set up by Galeria Ze dos Bois. I recorded everything there except the last song, which I did at mothers house in 2004. Im still surprised by what I wound up with. It was the first time Id sat still for a few years; processed a lot of political anger and emotional garbage. Recorded pretty simply, with a portable 4-track, Sony stereo mic and an upright piano. When I wasnt recording songs I was hiking several miles to the beach. The path wound through the ruins of several old estates and a small village. The album is a document. A nod to that daily walk. Failed structures. Living in the remains of love. I left the songs the way they came (microwave beep from when power went out after a storm); I hope that the album bears some resemblance to the place that I was in. - Liz Harris. Self-released version of 250 copies:- Letterpressed glued jacket; black on white- Fold-out insert (photos/some lyrics)- CD of 45 min or so long field rec