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Josh T. Pearson

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Josh T. Pearson
Background information
InstrumentGuitar
LabelsMute, Bella Union
Websitejoshtpearson.com

Josh T. Pearson is an American musician from Texas, United States. He is known for his work with the band Lift to Experience and his subsequent solo career.

Lift to Experience

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In 1996, Pearson formed the short-lived, but critically acclaimed band Lift to Experience, who released one double album, The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads on Bella Union in 2001, before splitting up soon after.

Lift to Experience reformed in 2016 to perform a one-off show at London's Royal Festival Hall. The band subsequently remixed The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads and went on to play at the Green Man Festival in Wales in August 2017.

Wilderness years

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After Lift to Experience disbanded, Pearson retreated to Limestone County, Texas, doing odd jobs to get by while he continued playing and writing music. Eventually, he left Texas for Europe, where he lived in Berlin and Paris while playing live to support himself.[1] He also toured with Dirty Three, Archie Bronson Outfit, 65daysofstatic and notably performed at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival several times including those curated by Dirty Three (2007) and My Bloody Valentine (2009).[2][3]

His only studio recording during this time is a cover of Hank Williams' song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", which was released on 7-inch split single also featuring Dirty Three, and appearance on West Country Night - Session One compilation album. He also provided guitar and backing vocals on two songs, "Seal Jubilee" and "Trophy", on Bat for Lashes' 2006 Mercury Music Prize-nominated album Fur and Gold.[4][5][6]

In 2005, Pearson released the CD-R live album To Hull and Back, recorded at Hull's The New Adelphi Club. Featuring songs he toured until 2008 such as "The Clash", "Devil Is On The Run" and "Sins Of The Father", it is available on YouTube with the artist's permission.

Solo career

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In January 2010, Pearson recorded an album of acoustic ballads at Klangbild Studios in Berlin.[7] During album recording sessions, he also did a session with Berlin-based pianist and composer Dustin O'Halloran (two songs from this session were later released in support of Record Store Day 2011)[8][9] and later that year took part in Yann Tiersen's project Dust Lane Inc.[10]

In November 2010, Mute Records announced the signing of Josh T. Pearson and release of his debut solo album Last of the Country Gentlemen in March 2011.[11][12]

Pearson spent most of 2011–12 promoting the album and touring extensively in its support,[13] playing many solo shows including South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin[14] and sold-out nights at Union Chapel, Islington and Barbican Centre in London, festivals including Primavera Sound Festival, Latitude Festival, Green Man Festival and End of the Road Festival, while also sharing stage with likes of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom.[15][16][17] He made his TV debut on the BBC Two show, Later... with Jools Holland, in April 2011.[18]

Last of the Country Gentlemen was named Rough Trade's "Album of the Year 2011"[19] and nominated in two categories, Best Album and "Breakthrough Act, at the 2011 Mojo Awards[20] and shortlisted for the 2011 Uncut Music Award.[21] Uncut placed the album at number 5, while Mojo ranked it number 7, Rolling Stone number 33 and Q number 42 in their "Top 50 Albums of 2011".[22][23][24][25] In December 2013 Uncut included Last of the Country Gentlemen in their pick of the top 50 Greatest Singer/Songwriter Albums of All Time list.[26]

In October 2011, Pearson took part in "A Room for London – Sounds from a Room" art project, in which leading artists of all disciplines used a one-bedroom Joseph Conrad's book Heart of Darkness influenced architectural installation, in the form of a riverboat perched on a rooftop of Queen Elizabeth Hall at Southbank Centre in London as a workspace. During his two-day residency, Pearson recorded 10 gospel songs followed by a live webcast.[27][28][29]

Pearson played and appeared in the 2002 French experimental film by Philippe Grandrieux entitled, La Vie nouvelle.[30] Pearson's song "Country Dumb" appears in the 2012 Martin McDonagh-directed motion picture Seven Psychopaths[31] and "Woman, When I've Raised Hell" in the 2013 Ridley Scott thriller film written by Cormac McCarthy, The Counselor.[32]

In April 2018, Pearson released his second solo studio album The Straight Hits!, again on Mute Records.[33]

Mark Lanegan called Pearson "a one of a kind artist", while Guy Garvey of Elbow called him "the greatest male vocalist of our time".[34]

Discography

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Albums

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Singles / EPs

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  • "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" (Bella Union, 2006) – split 7-inch single[4] w/ Dirty Three
  • "Country Dumb" (Mute, 2011) – single[36]
  • "Sweetheart I Ain't Your Christ / Country Dumb" (Mute, 2011) – 12-inch Record Store Day release (limited edition of 250)[9]
  • "Woman, When I've Raised Hell" (Mute, 2011) – single[37]
  • "Sorry with a Song" (Mute, 2011) – single[38]
  • Rough Trade Christmas Bonus (Mute, 2011) – limited edition EP for Rough Trade Shops[39]

Live bootlegs

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  • To Hull and Back (self-released, 2005) – CD-R album, Recorded live at The New Adelphi Club in Hull, England[40]
  • The King Is Dead (Mute Czechoslovakia, 2011) – 12-inch album (limited edition of 1000). Recorded live at Union Chapel in London, England[41]

References

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  1. ^ "Last of The Country Gentlemen: a Josh T. Pearson interview By Ian Johnston". Louder Than War. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  2. ^ "ATP Weekend One: The Dirty Three: the DiS diary... / In Depth // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. 2007-05-04. Archived from the original on 2017-07-05. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  3. ^ "NME Reviews - Live review: ATP Nightmare Before Christmas Curated By My Bloody Valentine". Nme.com. 2009-12-16. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  4. ^ a b "Dirty Three / Josh Pearson - Doris / I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 2014-10-12. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  5. ^ "Josh T. Pearson*, H-Burns, Thousand, Tom Cooney, Bosque Brown - West Country Night - Session One (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  6. ^ "Bat For Lashes - Fur And Gold (CD, Album)". Discogs.com. 2006-09-11. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  7. ^ "Josh T. Pearson* - Last Of The Country Gentlemen (CD, Album)". Discogs.com. 2011-02-07. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  8. ^ "Josh T. Pearson - Country Dumb". YouTube. 2011-01-18. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  9. ^ a b "Josh T. Pearson* - Sweetheart I Ain't Your Christ / Country Dumb (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 2011-04-16. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  10. ^ "nextmusic - Yann TIERSEN & DUST LANE INC. Live !". Next.musicblog.fr. 2010-09-06. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  11. ^ "News | Josh T. Pearson Signs To Mute - Album & Live Details". The Quietus. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  12. ^ Pearson, Josh T (2010-07-28). "Josh T. Pearson signing contract with Mute | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  13. ^ "Interview With Josh T Pearson". 247 Magazine. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  14. ^ Forman, Bill (2011-03-18). "SXSW goes to church with Low and Josh T. Pearson | IndyBlog | Colorado Springs Independent". Csindy.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  15. ^ "Josh T. Pearson + Dustin O'Halloran (SOLD OUT) - All Tomorrow's Parties". Atpfestival.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  16. ^ "An evening with Josh T Pearson and guests". Barbican. 2011-11-26. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  17. ^ "Josh T. Pearson Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick". Songkick.com. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  18. ^ "BBC Two - Later... with Jools Holland, Series 38, Episode 2". BBC. 2011-04-17. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  19. ^ "Last Of The Country Gentlemen named as Rough Trade's 'Album of the Year'". Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  20. ^ "Glenfiddich Mojo Honours List 2011". Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  21. ^ "Radiohead, PJ Harvey Nominated For 2011 Uncut Music Award | Live4ever Media". Live4ever.uk.com. 2011-11-01. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  22. ^ John Mulvey (January 10, 2013). "Uncut's Top 50 of 2011; One Year On…". Uncut. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  23. ^ Tom Breihan (December 2, 2011). "MOJO's Top 50 Albums of 2011". Stereogum. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  24. ^ "50 Best Albums of 2011". Rolling Stone. December 7, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  25. ^ Tom Breihan (November 29, 2011). "Q's Top 50 Albums of 2011". Stereogum. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  26. ^ "Rocklist.net... Uncut Lists". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  27. ^ Start time. "A Room for London". Southbank Centre. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  28. ^ "A Room For London : October 2012 : Josh T Pearson : The Texan songwriter recorded his session on 23 October 2012". Archived from the original on April 1, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  29. ^ "Twelve gigs on a boat | Intelligent Life magazine". Moreintelligentlife.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  30. ^ "A New Life (2002)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  31. ^ James Christopher Monger (2012-11-19). "Seven Psychopaths [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Carter Burwell | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  32. ^ "The Counselor - Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  33. ^ "Mute Records". Mute.com. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  34. ^ "Josh T. Pearson". Dogdaypress.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  35. ^ "Josh T. Pearson - The Straight Hits!". Norman Records. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  36. ^ "Josh T. Pearson* - Country Dumb (File)". Discogs.com. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  37. ^ [1][dead link]
  38. ^ "MUTE • Josh T. Pearson • Sorry with a Song – single out today". Mute.com. 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  39. ^ "Josh T. Pearson* - Rough Trade Christmas Bonus (CD)". Discogs.com. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  40. ^ "Josh Pearson - To Hull And Back (CDr)". Discogs.com. 2012-08-27. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  41. ^ "Josh T. Pearson* - The King Is Dead (Vinyl, LP)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
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Further reading

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