Deemed a “sound-experimental supergroup” by Stereogum, SQUANDERERS is the trio of guitarists Wendy Eisenberg and David Grubbs alongside multi-instrumentalist and legendary producer Kramer. The group was born from a spontaneous, exploratory afternoon studio session — three renowned players coming together with only a shared curiosity: how do time and space conspire to create sound?
From that first meeting came If a Body Meet a Body, their debut collaboration, released this past November on Shimmy-Disc.
Now, SQUANDERERS return with their second full-length, SKANTAGIO, out August 22nd via Shimmy-Disc. Following recent singles “THEME FOR SKANTAGIO” and “THEME FOR NARCOLEPTICS,” the trio now shares the album’s final pre-release meditation: “Theme for Insufficient Overpreparation.”
The track is a glimmering, crinkly piece that gradually builds an uneasy intensity—chords quicken, scatter, and ultimately bloom into a kind of organized chaos, a dissonant harmony that feels as deliberate as it is unbound.
As with the first two singles, the accompanying video was created by Kramer in his signature Ambient-Cinema style, features footage of the Cicada mating ritual and explores the concert of “The Preparedness Paradox” or the incorrect perception that there had been no need for careful preparation as there was little harm, although in reality the limitation of the harm was due to preparation.
With SKANTAGIO, SQUANDERERS hone in on singular ideas and stretch them into whole worlds—invoking thought, creativity, and deep reflection. Though born from improvisation, the album was guided by an evolving vision.
“Theme for Insufficient Overpreparation” is out now. SKANTAGIO LP is out August 22nd via Shimmy-Disc.
SKANTAGIO Track Listing:
Side A:
1. Theme for Skantagio
2. Theme for Narcoleptics
3. Theme for Insufficient Overpreparation
4. Theme for Fruitful Tangents
Side B:
1. Theme for All Unawares
2. Theme for The Path Made Visible
3. Theme for Undivided Neglect