CARM
Lush, orchestral brass that breathes like a human voice. A serene blend of chamber music and indie folk for moments of quiet reflection.
Lush, orchestral brass that breathes like a human voice. A serene blend of chamber music and indie folk for moments of quiet reflection.
CARM creates music that feels like a long, steady exhale. It is centered around the trumpet and French horn, but these aren't the aggressive or triumphant brass sounds you might expect. Instead, CJ Camerieri treats his instruments like vocalists, coaxing out textures that are soft, rounded, and deeply emotive. The sound is often bathed in a gentle reverb that makes it feel like it's being performed in a vast, empty cathedral or a quiet forest clearing.
What makes this project truly distinctive is how it bridges the gap between high-level classical virtuosity and the intimate, communal spirit of the indie-folk scene. By bringing in collaborators like Justin Vernon and Sufjan Stevens, CARM creates a space where a trumpet line can be just as catchy as a pop hook and just as vulnerable as a whispered lyric. It is music that values space and patience, allowing melodies to bloom slowly over lush, organic arrangements.
Start with the self-titled debut album 'CARM'. It serves as the perfect manifesto for the project, featuring a mix of instrumental tracks and vocal collaborations that highlight the versatility of the brass-led sound. It's the ideal companion for a slow morning or a quiet evening when you want music that is sophisticated yet deeply comforting.
CJ Camerieri (born in New Jersey) is a trumpet and French horn player, arranger, and producer. Camerieri is best known as the brass player for Paul Simon, Bon Iver, and the contemporary classic ensemble yMusic. His extensive discography is highlighted by two Grammy Awards for Bon Iver, Bon Iver, appearances on Paul Simon's last two records, Stranger to Stranger and In the Blue Light, and four records by yMusic including their standout premiere record which was named Classical Record of the Year by Time Out New York. Camerieri graduated with a degree in Classical Trumpet Performance from The Juilliard School in 2004 where he was featured as a Concerto Soloist and went on to tour with Sufjan Stevens, Rufus Wainwright, The National, Sean Lennon, Belle and Sebastian, and starting yMusic in 2008. In 2021, CJ released a solo album under the moniker CARM Archived 2022-01-20 at the Wayback Machine which features some of CJ's long-time collaborators including Justin Vernon, Sufjan Stevens and Shara Nova. It was released through the 37d03d (PEOPLE) Project. His French horn playing appears on the 2023 Yo La Tengo album This Stupid World.
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