As a frequent staple to Drag City’s world music-esque sounds, Yonatan Gat changes label courses and finds a delightfully happy home at Joyful Noise Recordings. Fitting into Joyful Noise’s motif of releasing everything smile inducing in the world (forever), “Escorpião” hits dimples everywhere, fingering licks between a pick and a bend and a plethora of pressed strings. The neck of this guitar must be the smoothest bit of wood in Portugal too. Specifically Estúdios Sá da Bandeira in Porto where the new Yonatan Gat Iberian Passage 12-inch was recorded. Actually, what’s funnier, is that the “Escorpião” (Rough Mix w/ Field Recordings) premiered on SPIN last October as just a taste of what is to be heard as the final piece. And Yonatan Gat’s finished version of “Escorpião” (streaming below) is nothing short of pure rock and roll contentment.
Shoot, even the Village Voice honored the fellah as “Best Guitarist of 2013.” So, if titles like that impress you, which in this case they should (but don’t let me tell you what to do), Yonatan Gat is your MAN on the axe. Yo, actually, it’s almost unnecessary to mention the man’s accolades, including his participation in the monumental Monotonix, ‘cause his personal brand of rippage is flagrant throughout “Escorpião.”
Iberian Passage will be released May 27 on vinyl & digital. The first 400 copies are hand-numbered and pressed on picture disc vinyl featuring art by Baker Overstreet.
Catch Yonatan Gat on tour too, starting tomorrow:
5.2 - New York, NY @ Piano’s
5.3 - Brooklyn, NY @ Shea Stadium
5.27 Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
5.28 Washington DC @ Paperhaus
5.29 Raleigh, NC @ King’s
5.30 Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor
5.31 Atlanta, GA @ 529
6.1 Chattanooga, TN @ Sluggo’s (Day show: 4pm)
6.1 Nashville, TN @ Stone Fox (Evening show: 9pm)
6.2 Louisville, KY @ Haymarket Whiskey Bar
6.3 Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s
6.4 Indianapolis, IN @ Joyful Noise
6.5 Columbus, OH @ Double Happiness
6.6 Akron, OH @ Musica
6.7 Brooklyn, NY @ Death by Audio w/ State Champion
• Yonatan Gat: http://yonatangat.bandcamp.com
• Joyful Noise Recordings: https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com
More about: Yonatan Gat
