marshmallow-coast-cover.jpgHappy Happy Birthday to Me has announced the latest album by the once-thought-defunct Marshmallow Coast: Phreak Phantasy. Andy Gonzales, the mastermind of the Coast, began the project out of Denver, Colorado, in the mid-90’s with Timesquare. The band moved to Athens and to Kindercore Records, and then to Misra Records, while Andy continued to play with his other band, of Montreal (he receives a shout-out in “The Hopeless Opus” on Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies, and the band also covers his old Timesquare song “In the Army Kid” on The Horse and Elephant Eatery).  Andy was also briefly a member of The Music Tapes, and played with Olivia Tremor Control and other Elephant 6 outfits, but his fruitful tenure with of Montreal stretched from The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit’s Flower through Aldhils Arboretum, essentially covering the band’s entire Sgt. Pepper-styled period.  Eventually Andy left of Montreal, and Marshmallow Coast (briefly) morphed into M Coast, with singing and songwriting duties shared with Derek Almstead (also ex-of Montreal) and Emily Growden; Sara Kirkpatrick and Carlton Owens filled out the lineup. This configuration released just one album, Say it in Slang, before Andy and Derek went amicably into separate projects: Andy from Denver and Faster Circuits, respectively. Now Marshmallow Coast is back for Andy’s first album under that fully-spelled-out name since 2003’s Antistar. 

“My legend is too small to start all over again, ” says Andy to Optical Atlas, indicating that originally Phreak Phantasy was going to be released under his new solo moniker, before he changed his mind and went back to the old and more familiar name.  “I did release two split seven-inches as Andy from Denver.  Stupidly confusing, I know.”  Once more, Sara Kirkpatrick provides flute, but Will Cullen Hart (Circulatory System) also provides support with “tape manipulations and noises.”

In addition to the new album, Andy “from Denver” (he’s not retiring that name completely) has some other projects lined up: he plays guitar on an upcoming album by The Goons (Joe Rowe, formerly of The Glands), and has been recording with The Lolligags and rap/pop project Simple Teek. 

Phreak Phantasy will be released on May 26th, but a pre-order deal (limited to 50 orders) will bag you the album (in either CD or vinyl) as well as an original Andy Gonzales painting. Note that the vinyl, which will be a limited pressing of 100, has a silkscreen sleeve. You can place your order now at the HHBTM website.