Brad Mehldau shares the story behind his upcoming album, Ride into the Sun—a songbook record of music by the late singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elliott Smith—and his relationship to Smith's music in a new video filmed at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, where the album was recorded. Singer/guitarist Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear, singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, and bassist John Davis, who perform on the album, share their thoughts as well. You can watch it here. The album, due August 29, also features bassist Felix Moseholm, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman. 

Pianist and composer Brad Mehldau’s Ride into the Sun—a songbook record of music by the late singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elliott Smith—is due August 29 on Nonesuch. It features performances by singer/guitarist Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear, singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, bassists Felix Moseholm and John Davis, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman. The album's ten Elliott Smith songs are complemented by four Mehldau compositions inspired by him and interpretations of Big Star’s “Thirteen,” which Smith also covered, and “Sunday” by Nick Drake, whom Mehldau sees "in some ways as sort of Smith’s visionary grandfather.” Two album tracks, “Tomorrow Tomorrow” and “Better Be Quiet Now,” are out now; in-studio videos of the musicians recording both songs can be seen here.