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Refuge [LP]

Refuge [LP]

$29.99 USD
$29.99 USD
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Last spring, Devendra Banhart and Noah Georgeson started to make a record that was like nothing they had made before - an ambient album that would be both a haven from a suddenly terrified world and a heartfelt musical dialogue between two men who have been friends and collaborators for over two decades. Refuge is an album of profound meditative beauty which offers the listener a much-needed sense of peace and renewal. But while it was recorded in 2020 it's roots go back much further - all the way to the start of their friendship and, beyond that, to the shared sounds and ethics of their childhoods. "When the pandemic began, we realised we needed to make this record," Devendra says. "But we've been talking about it for so long. It's kind of been 20 years in the making." Devendra and Noah met on the night of Halloween, 1999. Noah lived on Castro Street, the epicentre of San Francisco's Halloween celebrations, so their first encounter was in costume. "He was wearing a skirt and I was dressed as Bjorn Borg," Noah remembers. "I wasn't sure if this was Halloween or just him and it was the same for me. His first impression was that I was a French drug dealer." Having established that he was not, in fact, a French drug dealer, they became fast friends. Noah, whose production and mixing credits include Joanna Newsom and the Strokes, came on board as co-producer of Devendra's 2005 album Cripple Crow and they have been working together ever since. Devendra grew up in Venezuela while Noah, six years older, is a native of Nevada City, California. But as they got to know each other, they realised that they had a similar history in the New Age subculture of the 1980s: a world of meditation, Eastern music, the Bhagavad Gita and The Whole Earth Catalog. Childhood memories were coloured by the aromas of health food stores and the sound of New Age labels like Windham Hill Records. "We recognised that in each other," Devendra says. "Our whole childhoods were spent in health food stores. I have visceral memories of a Windham Hill album playing, the old worn-in wood, the Birkenstocks - all the hippie accoutrements. We wanted to make an album that evoked that nostalgic feeling." Twenty years ago, though, this music was deeply unfashionable. "It wasn't cool for a long time," Noah says. "I went to grad school for music composition. Coming from an academically rigorous world, I rejected this kind of music because it's simple, gestural music. It took me a while to come to a place where I was OK with that. It was not our intention to mimic these records but that New Age world is part of the musical foundation." He also cites the influence of the maverick composers Henry Cowell, Lou Harrison and Pauline Oliveros, whose practice of "Deep Listening" was very influential for this record. Oliveros has described "Deep Listening" as "an aesthetic based upon principles of improvisation, electronic music, ritual, teaching and meditation," and came up with the term after she recorded a piece in a cistern. Refuge's track "In A Cistern" is a direct nod to this. It was while making Devendra's 2019 album Ma that the pair finally decided to make their ambient record. At one point there was a rather expensive plan to travel around capturing "natural sounds of the dying world," but the global lockdown in March 2020 demanded a radical change of strategy. Even though they only live a short drive away from each other in Los Angeles, they were unable to meet, so Devendra and Noah had to record their tracks separately and weave them together remotely. "It feels like the most intimate thing we've done but it's the first time we haven't been in the same studio," Devendra says. "This would be the only record we could possibly make like this." Despite complicating logistics, 2020 created an emotional craving for music with this contemplative, therapeutic quality. "It's been such an uncertain, frightening time," Devendra says. "I was turning more than ever to ambient music, particularly Harold Budd. I met Harold a few years ago and we got to play together. In many ways I made this to share with my favourite ambient composer but unfortunately he passed away from Covid last year. That was heartbreaking." "For us, it's not specifically about the last year but it necessarily became about that in a way because of how we had to make it," Noah says, "and it's probably going to resonate that way." The two men approach a similar mood from very different compositional angles, ranging from weightless synth drones to luminous lattices of woodwind and strings. "Noah's are more composed," Devendra says. "Mine are a bit more ethereal. The ambient music I'm interested in is quite utilitarian. It's kind of like incense: it heightens the mood and the environment. The interplay between my ethereal songs and his very definite, clearly constructed songs is complementary." As the tracks took shape, the duo asked musicians in their circle to record parts remotely: Mary Lattimore on harp, Nicole Lawrence on pedal steel, Tyler Cash on piano, Todd Dahlhoff on bass, Vetiver's Jeremy Harris on synthesizer and additional production, and David Ralicke on brass and woodwind. Devendra, who has been studying Vajrayana Buddhism for the last decade, also invited contributions from spiritual teachers. "I probably wouldn't be able to navigate the world if it wasn't for spiritual practice," he says. "Buddhism is about cultivating compassion, for myself and for others." Meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg ("she's one of the people who introduced the word mindfulness to the west") adds a little guided meditation to "Sky Burial", Venezuelan guru Sri Mataji Shaktiananda appears on "A Cat", and Devendra's own Bhutanese teacher Neten Chokling Rinpoche recites a mantra at the end of "Asura Cave", which features field recordings of Buddhist ceremonies Devendra gathered in Nepal. "'Asura Cave' is supposed to feel like travelling from monastery to monastery," Devendra says. "How do you create the feeling of travel when everyone's stuck at home?" There are stories tucked inside Noah's tracks, too. The exquisite final track "Aran in Repose" is an ode to his wife Erin, while the minimalist opener "Book of Bringhi" was inspired by a surprising discovery in one of his parents' spiritual books. "Bringhi is an insect that takes on the likeness of the insect that consumes it, which I thought was such a wild, beautiful, and interesting concept," he explains. Inspired by both memories of the past and the needs of the present, Refuge is an act of companionship and generosity which gives the listener room to breathe. "We're hoping to create a sense of comfort and coming back to the moment," Devendra says. "It's really important to have a little bit of space between us and our anxieties and impulses. What you do with that space is up to you."

Tracklist:

  1. Book of Bringhi
  2. A Cat
  3. Rise from Your Wave
  4. Peloponnese Lament
  5. In a Cistern
  6. Into Clouds
  7. For Em
  8. Three Gates
  9. Horn in Deep Night
  10. Sky Burial
  11. Asura Cave
  12. Aran in Repose
  13. Lament Return

UPC: 656606156216
Label: Dead Oceans
Release Date: 8.13.21
Format: Vinyl

Comic Book Preorder Policy

Golden Apple Comics Comic Book Preorder Info

What is a preorder?

A preorder is an order placed for an item that has not yet been released. For comic books and collectibles, we offer preorders to allow customers to reserve their copies in advance. This ensures they will receive the item they want and eliminates the worry of it selling out before they have a chance to buy it.

What is the difference between a pull list or subscription and a preorder?

A comic book pull list is similar to preordering books in advance, but with a few key differences. Preorders offer more flexibility, whereas a pull list can be harder to adjust. Since pull lists are typically set months in advance, adding or removing titles can be tricky. On the other hand, preorders can be placed closer to the release date— even the week of release— as long as stock is available. While there are differences, preorders can still function much like a traditional subscription pull, allowing you to secure the books you want ahead of time.

Do I pay up front for my preorder?

This process helps us verify that payment is valid and ensures you are committed to your order. Since we need to place preorders months in advance, we base our orders on the demand from our customers. By securing payment up front, we're able to reserve the books specifically for you, guaranteeing you get what you've requested.

What is “FOC” or Final Order Cut  Off?

This is the final deadline for retailers to place book orders before they go to print. We cap our orders at the Final Order Cutoff (FOC). This date usually falls 1–2 months before the release date, though for hardcovers, trade paperbacks, manga, and specialty items, the timeline may be even longer. Certain items require orders to be placed at least six months in advance.

What can I find current preorders?

On the homepage of www.goldenapplecomics.com, we offer a dropdown menu organized by release date for both current and past preorders. A new catalog is uploaded around the 3rd or 4th weekend of each month once it becomes available. Cover sets and CGC offerings are typically added within a few days of the catalog’s release.

Does Golden Apple Comics offer discounts on preorders?

Yes, comic books are discounted for approximately the 1st 1 - 2 months when we list the catalog.  As it gets closer to the time we need to order, the discounts will be removed.  We encourage you to place your orders sooner so that we can get our ordering locked in and receive the discount.

How does shipping work?

If you place a preorder containing items with multiple release dates, your order will ship after the latest release date in the order. We typically ship new preorders within 5–10 business days of their release. However, delays can occur due to late arrivals, damages, or other unforeseen issues. We make every effort to secure replacements for damaged books, but this process can extend the turnaround time by several weeks.

Can I combine multiple orders into a single shipment?

Yes, Golden Apple Comics offers a combined shipping option for buyers with multiple orders. This allows you to add additional orders at discounted shipping rates. You’ll pay our standard shipping rate on your first order, and for subsequent orders, you can select the combined shipping option to reduce costs.

Please note that when choosing combined shipping, delivery times will vary depending on the number of books, the latest release date in your order, and how frequently you place orders.

HOW TO USE GOLDEN APPLE COMICS COMBINED SHIPPING

What grade is guaranteed on preorder books?

For preorder books, we strive to ship copies that are Near Mint (NM) 9.4 or better. While we understand collectors seek the highest grades, we cannot guarantee 9.8s on every book, as this is not always realistic. Printing imperfections and production variances make it impossible for every book to achieve a 9.8 grade.

What cover is gauranteed on preorder books?

Our listings use stock photos provided by publishers. These images may display unfinished artwork—such as sketches or virgin covers (without trade dress or logos). If a cover is a virgin variant, it will be clearly stated in the title.
If the title does not mention a virgin cover, the final product will include logos and trade dress.

It is industry standard for publishers to provide preview images to retailers before release. These previews often do not include logos, but the final printed product will.

Do you ship preorder books bagged and boarded?

Yes, all standard-sized comic books are shipped bagged and boarded. However, exceptions include items such as hardcovers, trade paperbacks, manga, and large-format or oversized books.

What if my preorder book is damaged?

We take great care in screening all books for damage and packing them securely to ensure they arrive in the best possible condition. However, despite our best efforts, a small number of books may still sustain damage during transit. If you encounter any issues, please email us at gappleorders@gmail.com, and we will be happy to assist you.

Can I cancel or return my preorder? 

We do not accept cancellations, returns, or refunds on presale items. Any item sold before its official release date is considered a presale. All sales are final.

 

Hardcover (HC), Trade Paperback (TP), Softcover, Manga and Book Preorder Policy

Items including but not limited to Hardcovers (HC), Trade Paperbacks (TPB/TP), Softcover (SC), Manga, Graphic Novels (GN), box sets are ordered at the time when a customer places an order. They will be shipped after they arrive from the publisher. We do not guarantee ship dates on HC, TPB, SC, GN, Manga or Box Sets.  Typical turnaround time on these books is 1 - 3 weeks after the order is placed on nonpreorder items.  On preorder items the release date is stated in the title and items will ship after that stated date.

Orders for these items are not refundable.

Refunds Policy

If you have a problem with your item that is damaged or missing please email us.  We can offer a refund or exchange if we have stock.  Refunds will be issued within 5 business days back to the account you paid with Paypal, Credit Cards, Bank Account etc.  Refunds cannot be sent to alternate accounts.

We do not accept returns for any of the following:

No cancellations, returns or refunds on PRESALE items.  Any items sold BEFORE the release dates are considered PRESALE.  We will not refund ratios (IE 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500 or any other type of ratio) for any reason.  We will not refund any other PRESALE books. We place orders based on your orders. If you are ordering presale books we are paying for your books months in advance to secure copies specifically for you and we cannot return them for a refund.  If you are ordering signed books, CGC/CBCS graded items that are preorder, please do allow plenty of time for delivery. 

No Cancellations or refunds if you select our combined shipping option and do not qualify for a free shipment.  Please review our SHIPPING POLICY for more details.  Minimum purchase for free shipping is $100.  Combined shipping orders must total over $100 to qualify for a free shipment. If your order is less than $100 you will be billed for our flat rate shipping - $6.99.

No cancellations on in stock books.  Any in stock books that cannot be shipped immediately due to them being in orders with PRESALE items will not be refunded.  In stock books with no PRESALE items in the order will ship ASAP when the order is ready to fill. 

No refunds or returns on accurately described items.  Books without a stated grade will be offered as NM 9.4 or better with no guarantee of 9.8s.  We use industry standards to grade including Overstreet, CGC and CBCS standards.  Not familiar with grading check out the following references:

CBCS Comic Grading Scale

Overstreet Comic Grading Standards

We will not accept returns or exchanges any book with out a stated grade where they would be NM 9.4 or better books.  We cannot promise 9.8s on every book, that's not realistic.  Printing is imperfect and does not allow for every book to be 9.8. 

If the entire print run has similar defects like minor spine dings, bindery issues etc then you will be shipped what we receive unless there is a reprint announced in a timely manner by the publisher.  Then you will be given the option to receive the reprint.  In the cases where the entire print run has defects we only promise 9.2 or better.  

Please note that the following defects may be allowed in NM 9.4 as long as there is not an accumulation of defects.  

bindery defects like minor to moderate corner tears, white along the edge of the spine, covers that are offset from the pages (common on cardstock covers) - bindery defects may not affect the grade much if at all

printing defects like a slight color rubs on the back covers, small wrinkles in the paper that were present on the paper rolls prior to the books being printed, paper that is "wavy" from the printing process

printer lines or grooves, they some times run the entire length of the cover or just part of the length.  These are from print rollers.  Usually on cardstock or foil covers.  

Printer Line On Comic
Printer Line On Comic

2 - 3 small color breaking spine dings or minor non color breaking spine dings

This specific photo example was also a line wide issue, every copy had the same problem. 

Spine Ding Color Break On Comic
Spine Ding On Comic
another example of a printing defect, this time its a white line on the edge of each book, this was on every issue of this specific book as well:
printing defect on comic book

Shipping Policy

PRESALE ITEMS - All PRESALE items have release dates stated in the title of the listing.  These items will only be available to ship AFTER the item has been released and is in hand.  Presale release dates are subject to change without notice.  We do not guarantee release dates set by publishers or manufacturers.  If you purchase multiple presale items your order will not ship until after the last item is in stock.  Presale items will ship within 5 - 10 days of us receiving them if your entire order is ready to fill.

IN STOCK ITEMS - All in stock items will ship with in 5 - 10 business days of the order being placed in most cases.  If you place an order for a presale item that is going to be released or the release of the presale items has been delayed that will delay your shipment.  If your order contains both PRESALE and IN STOCK items, your order will not ship until after the last item is in stock.

PREORDER BOOKS INCLUDING TPB, HC, SC, GN, Manga and Box Sets - Items including but not limited to Hardcovers (HC), Trade Paperbacks (TPB/TP), Softcover (SC), Manga, Graphic Novels (GN), box sets are ordered at the time when a customer places an order. They will be shipped after they arrive from the publisher. We do not guarantee ship dates on HC, TPB, SC, GN, Manga or Box Sets. Preorders for these items are not refundable.

COMBINED SHIPPING - Golden Apple Comics offers buyers a combined shipping cost option across multiple orders.  Our combined shipping option allows you to add additional orders with free shipping. There is a 30 book, montly minimum for combined orders. This amounts to approx $120 - 150 minimum to get a free shipping. Please only use this option if you plan to place multiple orders.  

You pay our standard shipping on your first order.  On orders after that you can select our combined shipping option to combine your orders and get free shipping. 

When you select combined shipping, shipping times will vary based on the number of books, the final release date for an order, and frequency of orders. 

HOW TO USE GOLDEN APPLE COMICS COMBINED SHIPPING

SPLIT SHIPMENTS - Split shipments are done as a courtesy or as part of our combined shipping system. If you do not qualify for a split shipment you will be subject to shipping charges.  Please email us to request a split shipment.

IN STORE PICK UPS - Local pick ups will be filled as the items are available.  We will email customers when the pick ups are filled, and let them know the items are being sent to the shop.  We will partially fulfill your in-store pick-ups so you do not need to wait for the entire order to be available to receive items from your order.  Please allow 48 hrs from the fulfillment email for your order to arrive at the shop for pick up.

INSURANCE - Orders are shipped with insurance for both parties protection.

SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION - Orders may be shipped with signature confirmation at our discretion based on both our insurance and payment processors requirements to be covered and insure delivery to the customer.

Please see our RETURNS AND REFUNDS policy for more details.

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