Is it a noise band? A pop band? Or is it just People?

On Misbegotten Man, guitarist and singer Mary Halvorson and drummer Kevin Shea return with the unconventional and startling sounds that characterized their 2005 self-titled debut while bringing a new intensity and subtlety to their catchy noise anthems. No matter how free-form these songs may sound, they are carefully constructed compositions. To the flailing beat of Shea’s feral drumming, Halvorson handles her intricate guitar lines with a directness that bears only a passing resemblance to her fleet-fingered work with Trevor Dunn’s Trio Convulsant and with jazz luminary Anthony Braxton. Shea’s unmistakable style will be recognizable to fans of Storm and Stress, Coptic Light, and Talibam! Though Halvorson and Shea play with other acclaimed groups, as People, they have created something entirely their own.

Recorded and mixed to analog tape by Elisha Wiesner. Mastered by JJ Golden.

“The band easily moves from impressive unison playing to polyrhythmic overdrive. Imagine jazz vocalist Annette Peacock fronting Hella and you might have some idea of People's singularly strange sound.”THE BIG TAKEOVER

“The drum/guitar duo mine the bubblegum-pop end of the experimental rock spectrum, like a child prodigy who can solve complex calculus but would rather play with dolls. Mary Halvorson bangs on her guitar like the long-lost fourth Shaggs sister...Kevin Shea, meanwhile, makes as much noise as possible, ending somewhere in between banging on pots and free-jazz ecstasy. Deceptively simple without being especially deceptive.”PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER

“Vocally, lyrically, and instrumentally (People's debut record) is a fresh, fun, and brilliant album, an oasis in the desert of avant-pop that balances creativity with catchiness.”DOWNTOWN MUSIC GALLERY