The Decemberists are a Indie folk band from Portland, Oregon led by singer Colin Meloy. They are known for Meloy's lyrics which evoke romantic images of the past, from Industrial Revolution era England to the American Old West. The band typically uses instruments like organs and accordions to match the lyrical themes. Their style is sometimes referred to as literary rock, or "lit-rock."
On May 18, 2008 at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon members of The Decemberists appeared, individually billed (as "Colin Meloy, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen"), performed at a rally in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1211169310143230.xml&coll=7
Currently the band is in the studio working on their sixth album. The new album will feature R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck. http://pitchfork.com/news/tags/the-decemberists/ Previously The Decemberists have worked with producers Tucker Martine and Chris Walla ( Death Cab for Cutie) on "The Crane Wife".
Studio Albums
- 2002: Castaways and Cutouts
- 2003: Her Majesty The Decemberists
- 2005: Picaresque
- 2006: The Crane Wife
- 2008: Hazards of Love
EPs
- 2001: 5 Songs
- 2004: The Tain
- 2005: Picaresqueties
- 2007: Connect Sets
- 2007: Live from SoHo
- 2007: The Perfect Crime #2
The Rake Song
This video is The Decemberists official music video for their single, "The Rake's Song" from the album, "Hazards of Love" is animated. It was made by St.Martins College Of Art, London, students Alex Dashino and Varvara Volodina who are second year students studying Moving Image.
Current Members
Side Projects
Decemberists news, http://pitchfork.com/news/tags/the-decemberists/hris Funk, Jenny Conlee, and Nate Query are involved in a new "bluegrass-but-not-really" group called Black Prairie who's debut album is called "Feast of the Hunters' Moon".
Carson Ellis, wife of Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy, has drawn every Decemberists album cover and almost all other graphics associated with the band. Ellis and Melody are working together to write and illustrate a children's book. It will be a limited edition, letterpress-printed book called "The Unfortunate Demise of Whitely Rackham".
The Decemberists Similar Artists
Last.fm: Similar to The Decemberists
Yahoo! Music: Similar to The Decemberists
UpTo11.net: Similar to The Decemberists
References
Fast Facts
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Record Labels
Kill Rock Stars, Capitol Records
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Hometown
Portland, Oregon
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Years active
2001 - Present
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Fact:
Name refers to the 1825 Decembrist Revolt in Czarist Russia
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Fact:
Singer Colin Meloy tours solo, playing acoustic Decemberists songs
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Fact:
Band's artwork is primarily produced by Meloy's wife, Carson Ellis
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Fact:
Stephen Colbert incited a mock feud with the band on his show, The Colbert Report in 2005
