Dump

James McNew, chiefly recognized as Yo La Tengo’s bassist, developed Dump as his own four-track solo outlet. Raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, he began making home recordings at age thirteen. After college he first attracted notice as bassist for Christmas, entering the lineup in late 1989. The group’s breakup two years later prompted Michael Cudahy and Liz Cox to form Combustible Edison, freeing McNew to join Yo La Tengo for their 1992 album May I Sing with Me. Although Dump had been conceived in January 1991, McNew waited more than two years before releasing anything under the name. The debut arrived as Superpowerless, a charmingly lo-fi set that showcased his gentle vocals and command of guitar, bass, drums, and organ. A covers EP appeared in 1995, followed by the excellent 10-inch International Airport; the full-length I Can Hear Music then completed that year’s series of releases. After refocusing on Yo La Tengo, McNew revived Dump in 1998 with the album A Plea for Tenderness. The Women in Rock EP and the cassette-only Prince tribute That Skinny Motherfucker with the High Voice? both surfaced the next year. Five years later he returned with his most accomplished-sounding effort to date, 2003’s Grown-Ass Man on Shrimper. Aside from a 2008 split single with Jennifer O’Connor, McNew devoted himself exclusively to Yo La Tengo and left the solo project behind.