MDT–007 | January 16, 2001 & MDT–021 | January 16, 2021
Twenty years ago this coming January, Azure Ray released their eponymous debut record featuring the hit songs “Sleep” & “Rise”. To mark the anniversary, on January 16th 2021, Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink are releasing Azure Ray on vinyl for the first time; including a 20th Anniversary Flower Moon Records exclusive bundle. Limited to 100 copies, the exclusive FMR bundle includes a hand-numbered and signed 100 page photobook curated by band which recollects the last 20 years and features never-before-seen personal photos and stories detailing their pre-Azure Ray days, formation, recording and tours and with Bright Eyes, Moby and more. In addition to being mastered for vinyl, the band also uncovered an unreleased track from the original recording sessions which is offered as an exclusive digital download with the physical album.
Taylor and Fink have been called “indie rock royalty” in more than one publication, and it’s not an undeserving title. After a brief stint with Geffen Records, barely out of their teens, the pair began touring and releasing independent records in 1998, a time when most indie rock clubs had never seen a girl walk into the door carrying her own guitar. While the pair started with a focus on rock, the untimely death of Taylor’s boyfriend quickly changed the duo’s relationship to music from release to catharsis, and Azure Ray rose from the ashes of grief.
The duo fearlessly followed their hearts and pioneered a genre, what some affectionately dubbed “whisper core.” But to Maria and Orenda, there was no easy way to describe what they did. Their work was about alchemizing pain into beauty, heartbreak into art, loss to transcendence, a way to walk with the angels — and a style that has left a lasting impact even on mainstream music. Their songs are included on playlists by Phoebe Bridgers and Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift is an admitted fan, and one search on social media shows the comparisons of Swift’s new record with Azure Ray twenty years after their first release. Bill Sullivan, former tour manager of The Replacements and co-owner of Minneapolis’s 400 Bar, said it best after watching the young duo calmly stare down a rowdy crowd until the last voice laid silent, then serenade a rapt crowd for hours with voices barely above a whisper. “That,” he said backstage, as he set out two shots of whiskey for the girls, “was the most punk rock thing I’ve ever seen.”
Always looking forward, this special 20th anniversary package has given them time to reflect on their past. “This is a very special anniversary for us, and we know it will be one for our long-time fans too. One thing is especially clear and that is how grateful we are to all of our collaborators, fans and supporters. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We hope you will enjoy the book and hearing “Azure Ray” on vinyl for the first time!” – Maria and Orenda
20TH ANNIVERSARY BUNDLE: (Ships on or around Jan 16, 2021)
- Limited Edition translucent caramel & black marble vinyl LP
- 100 page photobook (limited to 100 copies) signed by Maria and Orenda, recollecting the last 20 years featuring never-before-seen private photos and stories from their pre-Azure Ray days, formation, and tours with Bright Eyes, The Faint, Now It’s Overhead, Moby and more.
- "Rise" & "Sleep" Pillowcase (This is a handmade item; slight variations and imperfections should be expected)
- Tote Bag
- 11x22 album art poster
- Sticker
- Unreleased bonus track “Witches” from original sessions (via digital download)
- MP3 album download
LP + MP3:
- Cream (standard); "creamsicle" opaque & translucent marble (independent record store version); and "caramel" & black marble (FMR bundle exclusive) vinyl
- 11x22 album art poster
- Unreleased bonus track “Witches” from original sessions (via digital download)
- MP3 album download
TRACKLIST:
- Sleep
- Displaced
- Don't Make a Sound
- Untitled
- Another Week
- Rise
- 4th of July
- Safe and Sound
- Fever
- For No One
- How Will You Survive