LAMBCHOP - SHOWTUNES (2021)

The songs on Showtunes were initially meant to be performed live at Eaux Claire by Lambchop, with help from Twit One [de], Andrew Broder, and Ryan Olson. After the festival was cancelled due to COVID-19, Wagner decided to finish these songs in studio. Showtunes was recorded remotely by Kurt Wagner, the only permanent member of Lambchop. It features as collaborators James McNew of Yo La Tengo, who contributed double bass;[ CJ Camerieri, who contributed horns and horn arrangements; Jeremy Ferguson, who acted as co-producer and engineer, and Twit One, who co-wrote the track "Fuku". Unlike Lambchop's previous work, on which Wagner played guitar, Showtunes features Wagner's guitar tracks converted into MIDI piano. Showtunes takes inspiration from musical theatre, hence the name; Wagner called it "show tunes for people who don't like show tunes". Three singles were released in advance of the album