Lewis & Clarke | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania, United States |
Genres | art pop, post rock, indie folk |
Years active | 2003 | –present
Labels | La Société Expéditionnaire, Manimal Vinyl |
Website | lewisandclarkemusic |
Members | Lou Rogai |
Lewis & Clarke is the nom-de-plume of singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Lou Rogai. The name references the fellowship and correspondence between C. S. Lewis and Arthur C. Clarke (not the 19th century explorers). He has released three studio albums, Bare Bones and Branches, Blasts of Holy Birth, and Triumvirate, as well as several singles and EPs. The moniker is also a metaphor for journey on many levels and the music has been described as art-pop or avant-folk. Rogai is the founder of La Société Expéditionnaire, a record label dedicated to creating "beautiful sounding records and tangible musical artifacts".
The 7" single and CD/EP Bright Light was released in 2003 on Sun.Sea.Sky(US) and Delboy Records(EU). MAGNET Magazine's review of the EP introduced Rogai as "a gifted newcomer".
Lewis & Clarke's debut full length, Bare Bones and Branches, was released in 2003 by Delboy Records (Belgium). This was supported by a DIY tour of the US and a press tour of the Benelux which included 10 live shows. A live track surfaced on a compilation issued by PIAS entitled Duyster (a compilation from Belgian National Radio's program of the same name).
The US version of Bare Bones and Branches was released in 2005 on the Summersteps imprint, containing alternate takes, mixes, tracks and artwork. The LP was called "The perfect Autumnal album" by the Associated Press, while No Depression cited "A whisper of an album, lovely without being precious, moody without being beleaguering.” Lewis & Clarke appeared on the Summersteps compilation Down in a Mirror: A Second Tribute to Jandek, with a cover of "Nancy Sings". Jandek expressed his approval of the track in a handwritten letter to the label.
In 2006 Live on WPRB was released on the fledgling La Société Expéditionnaire as a vinyl-only 12" EP. The recording bridged the gap from past material with the forthcoming Blasts of Holy Birth and incorporated chimes, vocals, eastern drones, harp, guitar, banjo, piano, percussion, and the voice of Rogai's infant son.