NEWS: "Saudade" - full album (LP/CD)

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SAUDADE (European Portuguese: [sɐwˈðaðɨ], is a Portuguese word with no direct translation in English, or just about any other language, for that matter (except perhaps In Finnish where there is the word "Kaiho"). Saudade describes a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for an absent something or someone that one loves. Moreover, it often carries a repressed knowledge that the object of longing may never return. A stronger form of saudade may be felt towards people and things whose whereabouts are unknown, such as a lost lover, or a family member who has gone missing, moved away, or died. Saudade was once described as "the love that remains" after someone is gone. (excerpted from Wikipedia)

 

Nearly three years in the making, the new album SAUDADE features 13 tracks co-produced by Henry Hugo and Mark Steiner, and mixed by Martin Bisi. Recorded at Stagger Home Studios in Oslo, these songs were initially laid down by Mark and Henry with bassist Thomas Borge (Halph), along with alternating drummers Tobias "Tex" Lange and Gunnar Motland (ex-Goo Men). Bassist Graham Mansfield (Liberty Takers) later stepped in to record a few new songs. The various tracks also include contributions by Mick Harvey (The Birthday Party), Sally Norvell (ex-Congo Norvell), Paul Wallfisch (Ministry of Wolves, Botanica, ex-Firewater), Tricia Warden (ex-Liarface), Emil Nikolaisen (Serena Maneesh), Øystein Sandsdalen (Le Corbeau), Rosie Westbrook, Oddrun Valestrand (Tundra Mode), Celile Güzelce (Stillephonema), Graeme Miller (Louise McVey & Cracks in the Concrete), Julitha Ryan (Silver Ray), Ricardo Silva, Odd Johansen (Oddpopp) and more.

 

SAUDADE is a collection of some select cover songs and originals by Mark Steiner, including a tribute to avant-garde filmmaker, mentor and friend Adolfas Mekas. In fact, the various interpretations of works written by the likes of Billie Holiday, Lou Reed, Bruno Adams (of The Fatal Shore and Once Upon a Time), Robert Burås (of Madrugada and My Midnight Creeps), and Rowland S. Howard (of The Birthday Party, Crime & the City Solution and These Immortal Souls) can all be considered tributes to the deceased songwriters themselves. For Mark Steiner, SAUDADE means keeping these songs and the memories of these artists alive.  The album SAUDADE makes it's debut in November, 2014, and will be available in both digital and physical formats.

 

Mark Steiner & His Problems initially released SAUDADE on CD (Plug Ugly Records) with a full-band concert in Oslo in November 2014. The following year began with a tour of Australia, a limited-edition double 180 gram vinyl release through Rabben Records, followed by various shows throughout Europe. More European gigs are being scheduled to take place over the course of  2016, as is another tour of Australia, and finally a proper US tour.