Thomas Bartlett's an incredibly busy sideman. In the past couple of months alone, we've spotted him backing the National, Bon Iver, David Byrne, etc., at Dark Was The Night Live and going headfirst into Antony's Matthew Herbert reconstructions at Coachella. Because we can't be everywhere at once, what we didn't see was him performing with Nico Muhly at All Tomorrow's Parties UK and contributing to the upcoming album by the Swell Season. Despite all that, or maybe because of it, he's found time to move from the background to the spotlight for his Doveman project. See, for instance, "Breathing Out," a track from his forthcoming (and still untitled) Patrick Dillett-produced followup to With My Left Hand I Release the Dead. The pretty hushed vocals and dense, delicate instrumentation are still there, but Bartlett manages to jump outside the bedroom and pack in a sing-along chorus. Or whisper along, I guess.
Doveman - "Breathing Out" (MP3)
Don't forget to get Footloose.
Bartlett's currently on tour as a member of the National, planning to do a live record with Martha Wainwright, and manning piano for Antony's upcoming European shows. His next Doveman show is 6/18 at Le Poisson Rouge, where his backing band will include members of the National along with Sam Amidon. Expect the album sometime this year via Brassland.
UPDATE: Here's another...
Doveman - "Hurricane" (MP3)
