News

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson Duet On The Break -Up

• 4th Aug 2009

In 2006, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Pete Yorn contacted actress and recording artist Scarlett Johansson with the idea to record a duets album in the spirit of Serge Gainsbourg’s 1960s recordings with Brigitte Bardot. “I was having a strange week of insomnia and when I finally passed out, it came to me in a dream,” says Yorn. “I woke up and the whole thing was in my head, fully formed.” Johansson was intrigued by Yorn’s out-of-the-blue invitation. “It sounded like an interesting little adventure,” she explains. “The idea of two people vocalizing their relationship through duets.”

The resulting work is released on September 7th 2009, Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson BREAK UP, a deeply emotive yet hook-filled song cycle about a tempestuous relationship.

Break Up includes eight original compositions by Yorn, ranging in tone from the lilting opener “Relator” to the disarming, retro/futuristic “I Don’t Know What to Do” to the climactic “Someday.” Completing the collection is a powerful interpretation of the art-rock classic “I Am the Cosmos” by the late Chris Bell, co-founder of quintessential cult band Big Star. Produced by Sunny Levine, with Yorn and Max Goldblatt as executive producers, the album features contributions from guitarist Robert Francis; bassist Giuseppe Patane; and violinist Amir Yaghmai, with Goldblatt on banjo, synth bass and backing vocals, and Levine handling programming and mixing.

Predating Johansson’s debut album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, by nearly two years; Break Up was conceived and recorded in 2006, in Levine’s garage studio. “I always thought of it as just a small project between friends,” explains Johansson. “I’ve loved the album ever since I heard it completed. It perfectly captured where I was in my life at the time.” Yorn was as protective of Break Up as a father of his daughter, playing it for no one until last year.

When those close to him finally heard Break Up, the overwhelming response convinced Yorn that it was simply too strong a work to remain under lock and key.

BREAK UP
Track Listing

1. Relator
2. Wear And Tear
3. I Don’t Know What To Do
4. Search Your Heart
5. Blackie’s Dead
6. I Am The Cosmos
7. Shampoo
8. Clean
9. Someday