J Mascis And The Fog

J Mascis formed this side project around 2015, a few years after Dinosaur Jr. had reestablished itself. The Fog gave him space to work with different musicians and explore sounds that didn't necessarily fit the main band's template. Their self-titled debut came out that same year, followed by 'Elastic Days' in 2018.

The project has had a rotating cast of players. Early on it included Meg Duffy on guitar and John Petkovic on bass, with Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene joining later. Other contributors have included keyboardist Mark Mulcahy and drummer Matt Kadane. Songs like 'Alone' and 'Ammaring' from their catalog show a more atmospheric, sometimes folk-tinged approach compared to Dinosaur Jr.'s heavier fuzz.

It's essentially a low-pressure outlet for Mascis. The music tends to be quieter and more textured, built around his familiar nasal drawl and melodic guitar lines but with less distortion and more open arrangements. The Fog records when it makes sense, without the expectations that come with the Dinosaur Jr. name.