Mudville

Mudville comprises a pair originating in New York City by way of San Francisco, centering their work on the Portishead approach by fusing downtempo electronic rhythms with classic soul and jazz touches beneath the shifting calm-to-forceful delivery of their lead singer. Producer, bassist, and keyboardist Ben Rubin joins forces with singer and lyricist Marilyn Carino; both lifelong New Yorkers who first crossed paths during stints in San Francisco in the early 1990s, Carino alongside former Rain Parade leader Matt Piucci and Rubin playing bass for assorted local jazz acts. Their initial collaboration dates to 1995, when they fronted the soul revue-styled pop outfit Long Island Lulu and released its self-titled album in 1998. After moving back to Brooklyn in 2000, the pair recast Long Island Lulu as the independent Mudville. Their self-titled EP appeared on the Slurry label in 2003, followed the next year by the full-length The Glory of Man Is Not in Vogue; both drew fitting parallels to Massive Attack and Morcheeba. After the 2005 remix EP Side Trax, Rubin and Carino completed 2007’s Iris Nova by enlisting extra players for strings, tabla, pedal steel, and other instruments. Drummer John Bollinger (Antony and the Johnsons) and keyboardist/guitarist Brian Charette (Cyndi Lauper) later joined as supporting members for live dates.