Introducing... New Multitudes

It is now 100 years since Woody Guthrie was born.

A century which has seen the United States change from a small nation still recovering from a Civil War, into perhaps the world's sole remaining superpower. Along the way, the functions and operations of American life have shifted and changed, but there remains something timeless and evocative about the idea of the United States.

Perhaps no songwriter epitomises that idea more than Woody Guthrie. As part of the Centennial celebrations surrounding his birth, the musician's estate decided to place several unseen, unheard and unrecorded lyrics in the hands of four young songwriters.

Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parkerand Yim Yames banded together to record 'New Multitudes'. Due for release on February 27th, the album matches those lyrics to brand new music written and recorded by the quartet.

Each experts in their own field, Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker and Yim Yames tackle Guthrie's legacy in their own way. However what shines through is the light of what Griel Marcus termed 'that other, strange America'.

An immortal place, a spirit which ripples through the life and music of Woody Guthrie. Music which is literally continuing beyond his death, in the shape of 'New Multitudes'.

Introducing the project, ClashMusic has gained access to a video featuring all four songwriters. Watch it now...