Morning Recordings:

Morning Recordings is a new project headed by Pramod Tummala, who previously spent time as a founding member and principal songwriter of the Chicago-based band, Melochrome. After releasing three albums in three years on Loose Thread Recordings, Melochrome decided to take an extended hiatus, affording Pramod the opportunity to approach music-making in a different light.

In 2003, Pramod began recording tracks at North Branch Studio (located off the north branch of the Chicago River) with Barry Phipps of The Coctails. Sessions took place on and off over the course of a year, and while the original intent was to record an EP’s worth of material, the loose schedule allowed for new songs to be written in and outside of the studio. Along the way contributions were added from several Chicagoarea musicians including Mark Greenberg (The Coctails), Deanna Varagona (Lambchop), Mike Weis (Zelienople), Lindsay Anderson (L’Altra), Jon Hensley (The Cricket Rumor Mill), Dave Max Crawford (Poi Dog Pondering, Archer Prewitt band), Fred Lonberg-Holm (Wilco, U.S. Maple, Superchunk), and Thomas Stanley (Melochrome).

The result is Music For Places, an intimate, laid-back collection of breezy songwriting where a foundation of guitars, basses, and drums are embellished with strings, vibes, horns, warm keys, and the occasional sonic manipulation. Stylistically, Music For Places is informed as much by film scores as it is by more traditional “band” influences, and as the title implies, themes of traveling, leaving, and staying run throughout.

Morning Recordings’ live performances can range from Pramod playing solo to being accompanied by up to a 7-piece band. Music For Places will be co-released through Better Looking Records and Loose Thread in January 2005.