Damien Jurado's Four Songs was the first installment in the Burnt Toast Vinyl one-sided
LP series, initially released in early winter 2001. The LP is now available through Burnt
Toast Vinyl and Redeye Distribution.
Jurado is a folk musician from Seattle with four full-lengths and 2 7" on SubPop, three
full-lengths, an ep, and 2 7" on Secretly Canadian. The four songs on this one-sided LP
were recorded at home while Damien was working with his band Gathered in Song on I
Break Chairs. The four songs were darker and simpler than material on that rock oriented
full-length, but included the same band members: Josh Golden (ex-Pedro the Lion), Eric
Fisher (now a mainstay in Jurado's band), and Andy Myers. These songs remain fan
favorites and the live show will often feature one or two of the somber murder ballads, with
those not in the know wondering what album they come from.
Jurado has been a friend of Burnt Toast Vinyl for many years. Four Songs was the
inspiration for the one-sided LP series which now includes releases from other bands and
artists including: Isolation Years, Efterklang, Early Day Miners, Yume Bitsu, Aspera, The
Six Parts Seven, Bosque Brown, June Panic, Starflyer 59, Ester Drang, Emperor X, and
Mount Eerie. Damien acted as A&R rep for Burnt Toast Vinyl, discovering Mara Miller's
Bosque Brown. Burnt Toast Vinyl also released a set of Jurado demos as the LP-only
This Fabulous Century.
The etching short story was written by Adam Voith who owns and operates the on-hiatus
publishing company TNI Books. He released two of his own novels, Bridges with Spirit and
Stand Up, Ernie Baxter You're Dead, as well as a collection of music oriented short essays
from Camden Joy, a book of Ichiro baseball quotes, and the superb Little Engines
magazine.