Avett Brothers Collaborate with Mike Patton on Surprise Album AVTT/PTTN
In a surprising and exhilarating union, The Avett Brothers have collaborated with Mike Patton, the renowned frontman of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle. Together, they have created a new venture called AVTT/PTTN, and their debut self-titled album is slated for release on November 14th through Thirty Tigers, Ramseur Records, and Patton’s label, Ipecac Recordings. The first single from the album, “Eternal Love,” is already available for listeners to enjoy.
What started as a mutual appreciation evolved into a genuine creative alliance between the Avett Brothers and Mike Patton. The trio, consisting of Scott and Seth Avett along with Patton, engaged in a cross-country exchange of ideas for several months. Each member contributed to refining the other’s concepts until fully developed songs materialized. The outcome is an album that brings forth a blend of Appalachian folk, art-rock intensity, and Patton’s distinctive experimental flair. Scott Avett expresses, “This is what art is. This is what making is supposed to be: in secret and with no ambition.” Patton, with his characteristic flair, adds a touch of humor, saying, “My peculiar challenge in this was to become a long distant cousin. A brother that was orphaned. Maybe they kept him in the chicken coop or some shit. They brought him out years and years later.”
The forthcoming nine-track album offers a diverse range of musical styles stemming from this collaboration. Opening with “Dark Night Of My Soul,” a gentle acoustic piece blending Patton’s seasoned vocals with the Avetts’ harmonies, the album delves into various genres. “The Ox Driver’s Song” introduces a scuzzy folk vibe, while “Heaven’s Breath” ventures into fuzz-driven rock territory. The standout track “Eternal Love” serves as a contemplation of love’s universal allure, encompassing both its beauty and burdens.
For the Avett Brothers, this project signifies a significant milestone. Scott Avett acknowledges that Mike Patton is ingrained in their artistic DNA, having been a key influence in their formative years. “Mike’s part of our DNA, like the fabric of our youth,” he confides. “Literally, we studied him. He’s a dear friend now, but when we were younger, I was imitating him.”
Helmed by Patton, Scott Avett, and GRAMMY®-winning engineer Dana Nielsen, the AVTT/PTTN album is not merely a side project; it represents a daring convergence of worlds. Patton’s boundary-pushing creativity meets the Avetts’ storytelling rooted in tradition, resulting in music crafted with audacity and a willingness to take risks. This collaboration promises to offer listeners a truly unique and boundary-breaking musical experience.