It’s been said that Uphill Gardeners represent some kind of No Wave by way of Los Angeles, but No Wave always seems like such a New York thing that it comes off as slightly disingenuous to assign them that signifier when they’ve got so much happening on their own merits. Primitive disorienting art rock might be a better way to put it; “moody noise noir” might make even more sense, but only time will tell.

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Jail Weddings drummer Brian Watson started the 13-piece cinematic jazz band Watts Ensemble after one of those wouldn’t-it-be-cool-if? barstool conversations that almost never go anywhere. With no formal compositional training, he brute-forced the music from his mind and assembled a band out of professional musicians captured on Craigslist. Their first album Crime & Time is out now. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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Jazz arkestra Watts Ensemble’s Crime & Time introduces itself with a ringing in your ears not unlike a gentler version of post-concert hearing loss—either as a disclaimer or an aural warm-up to the 13 musicians and 18 or so instruments they play (which grace the album cover in a stylish Blue Note-esque portrait) all about to drop in on your party with the most delicious 31-layer dip that you’ve ever tasted.

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