Luke Buda Covers Sonic Youth + Judee Sill

Continuing a creative splurge which seems to know no limits, Luke Buda of Pōneke's The Phoenix Foundation has lifted the veil on the second in a series of covers EPs, recorded at home under lockdown conditions. Casting his gaze on works by iconic US noise-rockers Sonic Youth and '70s songwriting visionary Judee Sill, COVERS 2 serves up renditions of 'Little Trouble Girl' and 'Emerald River Dance'. Buda reimagines Kim Gordon and Kim Deal's Shangri-Las style original as a celestial synth-washed anthem (with guest vocals from Samuel Flynn Scott) and brings a lushly layered approach to Sills' timeless tune – he shared his thoughts on his latest collection via social media...

"Featuring a version of Emerald River Dance by poor old sad Judee Sill. It includes this line “The deeper sorrow carves in the heart of your being the more joy you can contain.” which is quite severe IMO. As ever thanks to the mysterious Ice Blocks for the drums and Old Mate Watson for blowing compressed air through the metal pretzel known as a trumpet.

And Sonic Youth’s Little Trouble Girl. The original features a shared vocal duties by Kim Gordon and Kim Deal. The coolest singing bass playing Kims of all time. More powerful even in some ways than Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Il. Anyway this version features shared vocal duties by me Luke Buda and also Samuel F. Scott (Bunnies On Ponies). It is the first time we have shared vocal duties together, honestly. Thanks you Samuel F. Scott! And of course, thanks again to the mysterious Ice Blocks this time for Roto Toms."

The Phoenix Foundation's 'Buffalo 10 Year Anniversary Edition' is out on Friday 5th June via Universal Music New Zealand.