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The Decemberists

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This article is about the band. For the 1825 Russian uprising, see Decembrist revolt.

The Decemberists are a five-piece indie pop band from Portland, Oregon, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. Their debut EP, 5 Songs, was self-released in 2001. Their fourth full-length album, The Crane Wife, was released on 3 October 2006 by Capitol and is their first appearance on a major label.

The Decemberists
OriginPortland, Oregon, United States
MembersColin Meloy
Chris Funk
Jenny Conlee
Nate Query
John Moen
WebsiteOfficial Site

Overview

Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt and the atmosphere associated with the month of December[1], the Decemberists write songs that range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads, and often employ instruments like the accordion, hammond organ and upright bass. In their lyrics, they eschew the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach with lines like "My mother was a Chinese trapeze artist / In pre-war Paris / Smuggling bombs for the underground" (from "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist", on 5 Songs) and "We are two mariners / Our ships' sole survivors / In this belly of a whale / Its ribs our ceiling beams / Its guts our carpeting / I guess we have some time to kill" ("The Mariner's Revenge Song", from Picaresque). Their songs convey tales ranging from whimsical ("Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect") to epic ("The Tain") to truly dark ("Odalisque"). They often invoke historical events and themes from around the world. Early in their career, The Decemberists' musical and lyrical aesthetics frequently prompted critics to compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel. Since their debut their sound has undergone a consistent evolution, most notably in the direction of a strong folk influence.

History

In March 2005, the Decemberists were reportedly the first band to distribute a music video via BitTorrent -- the self-produced "16 Military Wives" (from Picaresque).[2][3] That same month, the band's equipment trailer was stolen[4]; fans contributed to a replacement fund, and another fund-raiser was organized via an eBay auction, with buyers bidding for copies of Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey and original art work by Carson Ellis. They also received help from Lea Krueger, the Shins, the Dandy Warhols and other musicians. The Martin Guitar Company offered 6- and 12-string guitars on permanent loan. In early April, police discovered the trailer in Clackamas, Oregon, and a fair amount of the band's merchandise, but the instruments and equipment were not recovered. [1]

On their website, The Decemberists claim that their official drink is Orangina, and that bands they "adore" include Norfolk and Western, The Places, The Long Winters, Death Cab for Cutie, Tracker, Sleater-Kinney, Electrelane, Camera Obscura, Clearlake, Tom Heinl, The Thermals, The Swords Project, and Earlimart. Their official biography, keeping up their reputation for intentionally over-the-top grandiloquence, describes how the band's members met in a Turkish bath. A footnote following the biography claims, "The Decemberists travel exclusively by Dr. Herring's Brand® Dirigible Balloons."

On 12 December, 2005, Meloy revealed to Pitchfork Media that they had signed to Capitol Records, and planned to begin recording their major label debut with producers Tucker Martine and Chris Walla in April of 2006. [2]

The Decemberists' most recent album The Crane Wife, their major label debut, was released on 3 October 2006. The release was accompanied by an inspired appearance the same day on the world-wide syndicated TV talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien when the track "O Valencia!" was performed.

The Decemberists began their tour in support of The Crane Wife, The Rout of the Patagons Tour, on October 17, 2006, at Portland, Oregon's Crystal Ballroom. Their opening act was Lavender Diamond. Later on in the tour, Alasdair Roberts opened for the band.

Artwork

The Decemberists' album and promotional artwork is produced by Carson Ellis, a Portland artist, who is Colin Meloy's girlfriend. Meloy and Ellis have one child, Henry Ellis Meloy. More of Ellis' work can be seen at her website.

Members

Current

Former

  • Jesse Emerson (bass guitar) - Her Majesty
  • Ezra Holbrook (drums), backing vocals) - Castaways and Cutouts, The Crane Wife
  • Rachel Blumberg (drums, vocals) - Her Majesty, Billy Liar [single]], The Tain, and Picaresque
  • David Langenes (guitar)
  • Petra Haden (violin, vocals) - Picaresque, daughter of jazz bassist Charlie Haden, also supporting musician for the Picaresque tour.

Discography

Albums

Singles & EPs

Covers

Songs that the band has covered in and out of concert include:

References

  1. ^ Gene Armstrong (June 17, 2004). "On Behalf of Orangina: The Decemberists perform their dramatic, literary alt-rock, with orange soda in tow". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved 2006-10-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Rockers Flex BitTorrent's Muscle". Wired News. 23 March 2005.
  3. ^ "16 Military Wives BitTorrent tracker". The Decemberists. Retrieved 2006-10-10.
  4. ^ "Decemberists Shipwrecked By Pirates". CMJ. 22 March 22 2005. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
 
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