A Can Of Moles

We originally released this as a 7" for Record Store Day 2015 and completely sold out!  We're now offering the tracks as a digital download for your listening enjoyment.

Portland, Oregon and Wellington, New Zealand—unsurprising “sister” cities even despite those 7,125 miles that separates them.  Both are small “big” cities with a bustling music scene.  This hand-silkscreened limited edition 7” is the product of two bands from these cities—The Phoenix Foundation and Eyelids—and their mutual appreciation for music that is slightly melted in the center and currently running down the sides of your turntable.

Eyelids guitarist Jonathan Drews: “About 10 years ago, I stumbled across a random video of a band from Wellington called The Phoenix Foundation.  As to be expected from a New Zealand based musical group, these guys were good.  Really good.  They quickly became a favorite of ours.  It only made sense, then, that we should establish some sort of connection with our distant neighbors.”

The two bands became fast friends and the notion was suggested to do some spirited covers from two of their all time favorite bands (The victims: Australia’s best kept secret The Moles and the legendary German band Can).  Peter Buck from R.E.M. produced Eyelids side of the 7” (and even played some acoustic guitar on it), while The Phoenix Foundation recorded with Brett Stanton at the band’s home base,The Car Club.

Samuel Flynn Scott of The Phoenix Foundation: "I think they’re quite enchanted by New Zealand’s musical history and from where we are in the world Portland seems like this magical wonderland where all our favourite US bands end up moving to. Covering Can almost seems like this obviously hip move but they are so great and that song is just infectious.”

“It’s definitely surreal to be hooking up with people who’ve played with Stephen Malkmus, Jason Lytle, Robert Pollard, The Decemberists and so on, and now Peter Buck is working on their next record and they want us to put out a 7” with them, I love that. New Zealand can be quite isolating so this is like some weird magic. And the Eyelids cover of The Moles is just great. Ha, I guess I sound pretty stoked.”

So there you are: Two bands, two sides, two covers, two corners of the world.  When they will get to shake hands remains to be seen but the proof is already in the pudding.  There is already a joy to this 7” that sounds as if they have been having drinks and laughs together for years.