The Hudson Branch Reveal 'World Kid' Multimedia Songbook

"Memories" illustration by Rachel June

The Hudson Branch 'World Kid' Multimedia Songbook Revealed

Featuring original illustrations for all album tracks by visual artist Rachel June, a short story from radio producer Andy Mills (NPR, PRX), lyrics, exclusive photos, album download code and more

'World Kid' Digital Album Out April 24

Cementing their place at the intersection of story, sound and music, The Hudson Branch release "World Kid" as a multimedia physical songbook in tandem with the digital album release on April 24, 2012.

The limited edition books will see an initial print run of 300 and are only available at the band's live shows.

They feature original illustrations for all album tracks by visual artist Rachel June, the short story "Work" by award winning radio producer Andy Mills (NPR, PRX, WBEZ), lyrics and exclusive photos from the making of "World Kid" as well as a full album download code.

"Before the technology to record music existed, people spread music by buying songbooks and playing a song themselves in their homes or at their parties," explains bassist Matt Boll.

"The idea to make our own started when we were on tour - we made little homemade books with the lyrics so that the people that didn't know our music could sing along. We work collaboratively so asking friends to contribute made a lot of sense and reflected the way the songs themselves came together."

The Hudson Branch is just one limb of the ever-evolving family tree that is the multimedia art collective Dogs On Tour.

Following their 2011 Best New Artist Award at Third Coast International Audio Festival for the audio piece "Kohn," The Hudson Branch set to work creating "World Kid." Recorded with John McEntire - Broken Social Scene, Tortoise - at Soma Studios and mixed by Neil Strauch - Andrew Bird, Iron & Wine - at Engine Studios, the album sees the multi-instrumentalists rocking ukuleles, programmed beats, tambourines, glockenspiels, marimbas, Wurlitzers, organs, violins, synths, while exploring topics ranging from coming-of-age to particle physics.

"World Kid" Songbooks will make their first appearance May 8, 2012 when The Hudson Branch headlines Chicago's Lincoln Hall for a hometown CD release show. 8pm set time, media coverage invited.

Praise for The Hudson Branch and "World Kid":

"Well-crafted, atmospheric pop." - Under The Radar

"Sunny strumming and knotty island guitar... multiple tempos, big hooks, jammy portions and a strong rhythm section that keeps everything knocking." - RCRD LBL

"World Kid" is solid." - WXRT

"Hitting the sweet spots between Radiohead's emotional brit-pop era and the Americana-minded experimentalism of Wilco." - Chicagoist

"Wildly imaginative and original, 8/10" - SYFFAL

"Original and refreshing, tantalizes ears and mind alike, 9/10" - Tales of the Tape

The Hudson Branch Official Website