Mark Kozelek, better known to some by the name Sun Kil Moon, announced a new free 4-track EP titled Down in the Willow Garden, due out on Oct. 7 on his own Caldo Verde Records.
This ins't the only project in the works for Kozelek as he's also collaborating with Argentine actor Nicolás Pauls on Dreams of Childhood, which features 11 songs "written by street kids in Argentina" and being sold for charity. Another collaboration involves Jesu of Godflesh. Earlier this year, Sun Kil Moon released its latest efforts, Universal Themes.
Stereogum points out; Down In The Willow garden could refer to a traditional Appalachian murder ballad, which would make sense given Kozelek's propensity to write about that region and his home state of Ohio. Although, there's no telling at this time if either of the title tracks (versions one or two) are a cover of this traditional song or simply inspired by it. Given Kozelek's mysterious nature it could go either way.
Kozelek, with his highly acclaimed album, Benji, released under the name Sun Kil Moon, has made headlines over the last couple of years both for his brilliant spoken word, hyperrealist, lyrical prowess as well as his tendency to pick fights with other bands. In 2014, Kozelek started a feud with the popular psychedelic rock band, The War On Drugs, when Kozelek took issue with the band's set bleeding over into his. He called their music "beer commercial lead-guitar sh*t," and wrote a song titled "War On Drugs: Suck My C*ck." The feud pretty much simmered after War On Drugs frontman, Adam Granofsky, said in an interview that he didn't "have time for idiots."
Kozelek is clearly a flawed and yet brilliant musician who attracts fans and haters from both sides. Hopefully, this time around, we can just enjoy the music without getting in more Internet fights.
