Stars Like Fleas
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (January 2016) |
Stars Like Fleas | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Genres | Experimental rock Indie rock |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Hometapes, Praemedia, Talitres |
| Members | Shannon Fields Montgomery Knott Ryan Smith Tianna Kennedy Ryan Sawyer Matt Lavelle Shayna Dulberger Laura Ortman Sam Amidon Jon Natchez Shelley Burgon |
| Website | Official website |
Stars Like Fleas is a Brooklyn-based band formed by multi-instrumentalist Shannon Fields and vocalist Montgomery Knott in the winter of 1998. Frequently compared to later Talk Talk and Robert Wyatt, their music blends avant-jazz and free improvisation with electronic textures and several overdubbed murmured vocal lines.[1]
History[edit]
The band started in 1998. On their albums and in live performances, Fields and Knott have recruited a host of other musicians, including members and ex-members of Other Dimensions in Music, TEST, No-Neck Blues Band, Papa M, Out Hud, Gold Sparkle Band, At the Drive-In, Beirut, Tall Firs, TV on the Radio, Celebration, Fiery Furnaces, The Silent League, and Mercury Rev.[2] In 2007 they did a Take-Away Show video session shot by Vincent Moon.
Members[edit]
- Shannon Fields - producer
- Montgomery Knott - vocals
- Ryan Smith - piano, synthesizers, laptop, many other things
- Ryan Sawyer - drums, percussion
- Matt Lavelle - bass clarinet, flugelhorn, trumpet, cuica
- Sam Amidon - fiddle, banjo, voice
- Jon Natchez - reeds, brass, strings, keys, etc.
- Gerald Menke - pedal steel, dobro resonator, guitars
- Shelley Burgon - harp, laptop, baritone guitar
- Tianna Kennedy - cello
- Shayna Dulberger - bass
- Laura Ortman - violin
Discography[edit]
- Took the Ass for a Drive (1999; digitally re-released by File 13 2007, downloadable at iTunes)
- Sun Lights Down on the Fence (2003, Praemedia)[3][4][5]
- The Ken Burns Effect (2007, Talitres Records in Europe) (May 20, 2008 Hometapes, distribution via Absolutely Kosher/Misra)
References[edit]
- ^ Couture, François. "Sun Lights Down on the Fence." Allmusic.
- ^ Burns, Todd. "Sun Lights Down on the Fence." Stylus Magazine January 5, 2004.
- ^ Sounds, Paths, Radios: Notes on Stars Like Fleas
- ^ Stylus Magazine Review of Sun Lights Down on the Fence
- ^ Pitchfork Review of Sun Lights Down on the Fence
External links[edit]
- Official site (Hometapes)
- Official site (Praemedia)
- Official Site (Talitres Records)
- MySpace Page
- Allmusic Guide Entry
- Video of a Stars Like Fleas Performance
- Stars Like Fleas discography at Discogs
Interviews[edit]
- from Splendid eZine Interview with Shannon Fields and Montgomery Knott by Mike Meginnis
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