Introducing: Taxidermists’ New Talkhouse Exhibit
Taxidermists, a musical duo hailing from Massachusetts, comprised of Cooper B. Handy, also known as LUCY, and Salvadore McNamara, are set to release their record “20247” on March 7, 2025, through Danger Collective. The duo’s creative process for this album, as described by McNamara, involved a humble setup of just one microphone and a space heater in Handy’s garage during the winter of 2023/2024. They initially started recording what they thought were mere demos, but after a year of introspection and growth, the songs began to take shape.
Their songwriting approach involved a unique method of word-searching and sentence-matching, which eventually led to the creation of their album. The pivotal moment for the album’s creation occurred on a night in late November ’23, where they spontaneously recorded tracks like “Let the Music Save Them,” “Does The Wind Know,” and a reimagined rock band style version of the classic LUCY song, “2099.” This impromptu recording technique set the tone for the rest of the album, even though they still considered these recordings to be in their “demo” phase.
One of the standout tracks, “Needles To Say,” was part of the second batch of songs completed in one night, alongside “Grow Up.” Elements of both tracks had been floating around since 2020, and they ingeniously combined different musical ideas to create a cohesive piece. McNamara mentioned that a particular instrumental section originally belonged to another song but found its home in “Needles To Say” through Cooper’s innovative chord progression and simple vocal melody. This ABABA arrangement style helped them find their groove and craft a compelling track.
The recording process reflected their resourcefulness, as they utilized a single microphone connected to a Mackie mixer, which was then plugged into a TEAC 1/4” reel-to-reel machine lacking a counter for tracking. Despite technical limitations, they managed to capture the essence of their music. By transferring the initial recordings onto an 8-track 1/2” tape on McNamara’s Tascam 38, they were able to layer vocals, instrumental tracks, and even a duo guitar part to enrich the sound of their songs. The final mix was done in Logic, maintaining a raw and authentic feel to the tracks.
Their dedication and passion for their music shone through as they completed the recording process late into the night on a special December evening. Through their unconventional recording methods and collaborative songwriting approach, Taxidermists have crafted a unique and authentic musical experience with their upcoming album. Fans can look forward to immersing themselves in the atmospheric and emotive soundscapes created by Cooper B. Handy and Salvadore McNamara when “20247” is released on March 7, 2025.