Teach Me Equals and RedRumsey (Unwound, Long Hind Legs) Announce Tour

Teach Me Equals (formerly Bard & Mustache) and RedRumsey (Vern Rumsey of Unwound, Long Hind Legs) will be hitting the west coast for an 18-date joint tour this September. And oh what a celebration it will be: Vern Rumsey last toured over a decade ago.

In 2002 following the split of Unwound, Rumsey effectively retired and quit making music. Over 10 years later, he found himself returning to his massive back catalog of work. It was the key to starting a new chapter in an already impressive career, one defined by his bass and guitar work in the aforementioned Unwound as well as Long Hind Legs, Fitz of Depression, Witchypoo, and Blonde Redhead.

PREMIERE: Bard & Mustache - 'Bitter Painter' EP

Today, I'm honored to share with you Bard & Mustache's new EP, Bitter Painter, in its entirety. Unless someone ripped it and threw it online somewhere before this post was made, this is the only place you can currently hear Bitter Painter online. It was first released into the world last week at the duo's show at The Windup Space in Baltimore. So, for those of you who missed that show or the one in Monteclair, NJ this past Friday, here is the EP in all its glory. I highly recommend checking it out. When you compare where Bard & Mustache (vocalist/guitarist Erin Murphy and vocalist/cellist Greg Bortnichak) were musically on their most recent EP, Found, Bitter Painter sounds like a reinvented band in a number of ways, or rather, a band that has matured very beautifully. And when you consider this is just a rough idea of where Greg and Erin are headed on their forthcoming debut album (due next year), it's a pretty awe-inspiring listen.

WHAT'S YOUR MUSE? Bard & Mustache

It's time for another edition of "What's Your Muse?"

The concept is simple: We ask a band/artist to choose a song that means a lot/the most to them. Then, they record and send us a video of themselves describing why they chose the song. Think of it like a collaborative video mixtape project.

In this edition, we hear from Bard & Mustache.

Photo by Scott Braun

Sarasota duo Bard & Mustache (cellist Greg Bortnichak of The Sparta Philharmonic and vocalist/guitarist Erin Murphy of The Equines, respectively) recently released their Found EP on Valentine's Day -- fitting since the duo is also a couple. Mixtape Muse had the opportunity to premiere both a live performance and interview with Bard & Mustache on the very same day, which was, altogether, almost too apropos. Bortnichak and Murphy share a bond of love that's rather indescribable, but, lucky for us listeners, it's something we can experience and see firsthand. Love is what their band seems predicated on, or, at the very least, strongly inspired by.

Bard & Mustache Live Performance & Interview: A Real Valentine's Day Treat

Greg Bortnichak and Erin Murphy are two of the finest human beings I've had the pleasure of meeting, part of the reason why their existence as Bard and Mustache is all the more special. Aside from being incredibly talented musicians and proponents, and torchbearers, of Sarasota's burgeoning music scene, Greg and Erin are a couple. There've been plenty of relationships in music throughout the ages that have resulted in some great duets/duos, but there's something particularly lovely about the bond between these two musicians -- something that thrives and reveals itself through their music. It seems only fitting that I've the distinct pleasure and honor of sharing and debuting a live performance and interview with Bard and Mustache -- a perfect post to share on this Valentine's Day holiday.

DOWNLOAD: The 'Happy Birthday' Mixtape, Celebrating 5 Years of Mixtape Muse

2011, surprisingly enough, marks the 5th anniversary of Mixtape Muse. For something that started as a place to post the playlists for my little 'ol college radio program, this site has grown into something I could have never imagined. To celebrate, I've created a mixtape featuring artists that have been favorites over the past five years/are friends or are simply new artists I've just recently discovered. When I began selecting tracks, I soon heard a sonic theme that sort of matched the cover art (above) -- which I, oddly enough, happened to pick out before I had even started curating the mix.

As a thank you to all you readers and supporters of Mixtape Muse, please accept this mixtape as a token of my gratitude. Download it (for free) and enjoy!

Bard and Mustache Release New EP, Download New Song "Your Face" + Tour Dates

 

Sarasota, FL alternative folk rock duo Bard and Mustache (Greg Bortnichak and Erin Murphy, respectively) self-released their sophomore EP, Found, today. They also just kicked off their Kickstarter-funded "Autumnal Equinox Tour" yesterday. Hear and download a cut from Found and scope their tour dates below.