CUP

CUP is an experimental art-pop project from creative and marital partners Nels Cline (Wilco) and Yuka C. Honda (Cibo Matto). An intriguing blend of electronic, folk, rock, and improvisations, the New York duo made their debut with the 2019 album, Spinning Creature.
Of Cline’s lengthy and wide-ranging body of work, he’s perhaps best-known in the 21st century as the guitarist for Wilco, though his musical history runs the gamut from punk to outsider jazz. After moving to the U.S. from Japan, Honda came up through New York’s noise rock and jazz scenes before making her name as one-half of the eccentric indie pop group Cibo Matto. Although the two have performed and recorded together, CUP represents Cline and Honda’s first formal collaboration. Their debut album, Spinning Creature, was recorded over a three-day period in Brooklyn and blends improvised compositions for guitar, percussion, electronics, and vocals with more structured songs which, despite their avant-garde leanings, are quite accessible. The album was released in November 2019 by New York label Northern Spy Records. ~ Timothy Monger