The Iditarod is history. The duo of Karin Wagner and Jeffrey Alexander split up in 2003. In their eight years of existence, the duo released an impressive back-catalogue on labels als Bluesanct, Timelag, Camera obscura, Last visible dog, Elsie and jack…They can easily be counted as one of the pioneers of the current folk-revival, with their eclectic mix of traditional folk and psychedelica.

The Iditarod were an avant-folk ensemble from Rhode Island, USA.  Carin Wagner and Jeffrey Alexander have been playing and recording together from 1996 to 2003. The earliest output -was recorded as a duo, or just by carin. At that time, iditarod was more popsong-oriented.

The definate sound of the band was reached after forming a quartet with Margie Wienk on cello and Matt Everret on violin.  Margie also performs as Fern Knght, while Matt also worked with Will Oldham / Bonnie Prince Billy and Espers. 

Its in this lineup that the band is in its most productive phase: the 3 yuletide albums (4 if you include the yuletide compilation, the critically acclaimed 'the ghost, the elf...' album, contributions on the poor minstrels tour cds, and a ton of 7"s and compilation appearances.

Also, it's in this later era of the existence of iditarod that 'kleine' was put together. the album was compiled of all unreleased recording from the very beginning of iditarod, untill the most recent songs. It features carin's more traditional songs, collaborations with the likes of b'eirth (in gowan ring, birch book) and alastair galbraith, and more psychedlic tape experiments and improvisations. all mixed together this is odd enough the most coherent iditarod record. It came out in 2002, but was unavailable for quite some time, untill its rerelease in june 2007

After the split in 2003, Jeffrey founded the Secret Eye label, formed Black Forest/Black Sea and curated the Terrastock 6 festival. Karin Wagner on the other hand, stopped making music - hopefully temporarily.

Iditarod is history. Its no coincidence that most of their records have been re-released.






"Kleine"
cd - released june 7th 2007

legendary folkcombo, feat members of black forest black sea, in gowan ring, fern knight... re-release of their tape from 2002 on morc. a perfect mix of direct songs with psychedelic tape and drone experiments.

10 € / + 15 us$

-> klick on cover for details and a track
-> mp3: kleine (5'13)

"Kleine"
tape - released april 2002

acoustic dronings, acid folk, no matter how you label it: it's impossible to describe how beautiful the songs on this tape are. hot on the heels of their bluesanct-cd.

-> sold out!
-> klick on cover for details and a track
-> mp3: kleine (5'13)




Yuletide 2 cd
rare+unreleased songs, 2003
Camera obscura

The river nektar cd
bluesanct 71 (re-release)

Yuletide cd
collaboration with Sharron Kraus
Elsie and Jack

"The ghost, the elf, the cat and the angel" cd
bluesanct 65

terrastock 7"
part of a 5X7" box set, also feat. sonic youth, bardo pond, stone breath, charalambides
time-lag records

split 7" with jen turrell
dutch courage

scandinavian tour single
hub city 07

split 7" with the eyesores
Brentwood estates

the invisible pyramid 2cd
also feat.
Pelt, Bardo Pond, Birchville Cat Motel, Kemialliset Ystävät, Fursaxa...
last visible dog

ptolemaic terrascope vol 33 cd
also feat. Land of Nod, the green pajamas, comets on fire, cerberus shoal...
ptolemaic zine

The poor minstrels of song vol 2" cdr
also feat. drekka, ring, peter scion, matt everett, static films, tinsel ...
bluesanct

The poor minstrels of song vol. 1 cd
also feat. drekka,stone breath, in gowan ring, eyesores, prydwyn... bluesanct


oficial website:
http://www.secreteye.org/theiditarod