Official Releases

The Pagoda Demo

Original Release: Fall 2005
Release Type: EP
Release Format: CD
Record Label: Independent
Status: Not available (Out of print)

Tracklisting:

Album Facts

The demo was recorded at Excello Recording Studios in Brooklyn, NY.

Only a few hundred copies were pressed and given away by Michael's agent at shows. Some report that the CD had no cover and just came in a paper slip case while others report that a picture of Michael's cat was featured on the cover with the song titles written on the back in black sharpie pen. It's possible that the cover changed in between shows.

Jamie Kallend played bass on the EP.

"Death to Birth" was one of the first songs Michael ever wrote while he was learning how to play guitar when he was seventeen.

"I Do" is rumored to be an updated version of "Muskrat" due to the similar song structure and chorus.

Self Titled

Original Release: February 27, 2007
Release Type: LP
Release Format: CD
Record Label: Ecstatic Peace!/Universal (Fontana)
Status: In Stores Now!

Tracklisting:

Album Facts

Produced, mixed and engineered by Luca Amendolara in Milan, Italy, mixed at Excello Recordings in Brooklyn, NY. Mastered at "The Lodge" in Manhattan, NY by Sarah Register. "Fetus" and "Sadartha" were produced and mixed by Hugh Pool at Excello Recording, engineered by Ethan Donaldson and mastered by Ken Rich.

All songs written by Michael Pitt except "Fear Cloud" and "Song One", written by Michael Pitt, Ryan Donowho, James Kallend, Indigo Ruth Davis and arranged by Luca Amendolara.

Back-up vocals on "Death to Birth"by Susan Highsmith, back-up guitar by Christian Zucconi. Spoken word by Nicole Vicius.

Back-up vocals on "Alone" by Jamie Bochert and Nicole Vicius. Violin by John & a Romanian gypsy we found on the Milan Metro.

Recording for the album started in August 2004 and ended in February 2005 at Cellar Door Studios in Milan, Italy. It was produced by bassist Luca Amendolara and co-produced by Hugh Pool of Excello Recording Studios.

There was originally a different cover for the album which was rejected by the band, but was given to PagodaOnline.com as an exclusive. You can find it in the gallery. Later on, the album's artwork changed from "Pagoda From Brooklyn" to just "Pagoda".

Original Release: May 15th, 2004
Release Type: LP
Release Format: CD
Record Label: n/a
Status: Discontinued

Tracklisting:

Album Facts

"Muskrat" can be heard as the last song during the credits at the end of the film. Likewise, on DVD versions, Muskrat plays over the main menu.

"Muskrat" has no official lyrics, as the song was only fronted by soundclips from the film.

Last Days

Original Release: May 2005
Release Type: LP
Release Format: CD
Record Label: MK2
Status: Available

Tracklisting:

Album Facts

The "Happy Song" video appeared on the DVD release of the film as a bonus feature. It was shot 2 - 3 years back by Aloke singer/guitarist Christian Zucconi who also played bass on the song.

"Last Days" cast member Nicole Vicius appeared as a dancer in the "Happy Song" video.

The finalized version of "That Day" that appeared on the soundtrack was only one version of the song. A few different takes were recorded, and an alternate version of the song appeared on the DVD as a bonus feature.

Michael was hesitant about using "Death to Birth" for the film/soundtrack because he didn't want people to think that he was using the film as a vehicle to showcase his own music. Before being talked into using it by director Gus Van Sant and music consultant Thurston Moore, Michael improvised a number of songs, one being about macaronni and cheese.

Hugh Pool of Excello Recording Studios recorded, mixed and co-produced the version of "Fetus" that appears on the soundtrack. Likewise, lyrics from an alternate version of the song were used in the film in spoken word form by Michael Pitt.