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DeLaughter's previous group, [[Tripping Daisy]], came to an abrupt end in 1999 when guitarist [[Wes Berggren]] died of a drug overdose. Making The Polyphonic Spree a reality was, in part, a reaction to his death <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11415892 |title=An Epic Performance by the Polyphonic Spree |publisher=NPR |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>.
DeLaughter's previous group, [[Tripping Daisy]], came to an abrupt end in 1999 when guitarist [[Wes Berggren]] died of a drug overdose. Making The Polyphonic Spree a reality was, in part, a reaction to his death <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11415892 |title=An Epic Performance by the Polyphonic Spree |publisher=NPR |date=2007-06-30 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>.


In 2000, DeLaughter collaborated with twelve other musicians, trying to put a sound together that reflected the music he grew up with. He wanted to explore the orchestral palette and pop sensibility of [[The Association]], [[The 5th Dimension]], [[Wings (band)|Wings]], and [[The Beach Boys]]; and the vocal style of [[Ozzy Osbourne]] from [[Black Sabbath]]. Within two weeks, The Polyphonic Spree created an 30-minute set, donned their signature white choir robes and performed with [[Grandaddy]] and [[Bright Eyes]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/music/features/polyphonic-spree.htm |title=The Polyphonic Spree |publisher=musicOMH |date=2009-08-27 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>.
In 2000, DeLaughter collaborated with twelve other musicians, trying to put a sound together that reflected the music he grew up with. He wanted to explore the orchestral palette and pop sensibility of [[The Association]], [[The 5th Dimension]], [[Wings (band)|Wings]], and [[The Beach Boys]]; and the vocal style of [[Ozzy Osbourne]] from [[Black Sabbath]]. Within two weeks, The Polyphonic Spree created a 30-minute set, donned their signature white choir robes and performed with [[Grandaddy]] and [[Bright Eyes]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/music/features/polyphonic-spree.htm |title=The Polyphonic Spree |publisher=musicOMH |date=2009-08-27 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>.


Shortly after their first show, twelve more musicians joined the band and they recorded [[The Beginning Stages of...|"The Beginning Stages of ... The Polyphonic Spree"]], which contained all nine songs (sections) written for their first show, plus a tenth track (Section 10 – Long Day). The album was intended to serve as a [[Demo (music)|demo]] recording to garner interest in booking the band for live performances <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/13/mroom.polyphonic.spree/ |title=Embracing the spirit of the Polyphonic Spree - May. 13, 2003 |publisher=CNN.com |date= 2003-05-13|accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>. They performed at the [[South by Southwest]] music festival in Austin, Texas. As a result of the attention they received from the press and other industry pundits at the festival, the band was invited to perform at London's [[Meltdown (festival)|Meltdown Festival]] curated by [[David Bowie]] in 2002 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/22397/The-Polyphonic-Spree.htm |title=The Polyphonic Spree on |publisher=Fasterlouder.com.au |date= |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>. They opened for [[The Divine Comedy (band)|The Divine Comedy]] at the [[Royal Festival Hall]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk/2002/events/the-divine-comedy--the-polyphonic-spree/ |title=Meltdown &#124; The Divine Comedy (+ The Polyphonic Spree) |publisher=Meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk |date=2002-06-17 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>.
Shortly after their first show, twelve more musicians joined the band and they recorded [[The Beginning Stages of...|"The Beginning Stages of ... The Polyphonic Spree"]], which contained all nine songs (sections) written for their first show, plus a tenth track (Section 10 – Long Day). The album was intended to serve as a [[Demo (music)|demo]] recording to garner interest in booking the band for live performances <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/13/mroom.polyphonic.spree/ |title=Embracing the spirit of the Polyphonic Spree - May. 13, 2003 |publisher=CNN.com |date= 2003-05-13|accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>. They performed at the [[South by Southwest]] music festival in Austin, Texas. As a result of the attention they received from the press and other industry pundits at the festival, the band was invited to perform at London's [[Meltdown (festival)|Meltdown Festival]] curated by [[David Bowie]] in 2002 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/22397/The-Polyphonic-Spree.htm |title=The Polyphonic Spree on |publisher=Fasterlouder.com.au |date= |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>. They opened for [[The Divine Comedy (band)|The Divine Comedy]] at the [[Royal Festival Hall]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk/2002/events/the-divine-comedy--the-polyphonic-spree/ |title=Meltdown &#124; The Divine Comedy (+ The Polyphonic Spree) |publisher=Meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk |date=2002-06-17 |accessdate=2010-08-14}}</ref>.

Revision as of 12:57, 28 December 2010

The Polyphonic Spree

The Polyphonic Spree is a choral symphonic pop rock band from Dallas, Texas that was formed in 2000 by Tim DeLaughter. The band's sound relies on a variety of vocal and instrumental color by featuring a choir, flute, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, percussion, piano, guitars, bass, drums, electronic keyboards, and EWI. DeLaughter is the lead singer and self-confessed instigator [1].

History

DeLaughter's previous group, Tripping Daisy, came to an abrupt end in 1999 when guitarist Wes Berggren died of a drug overdose. Making The Polyphonic Spree a reality was, in part, a reaction to his death [2].

In 2000, DeLaughter collaborated with twelve other musicians, trying to put a sound together that reflected the music he grew up with. He wanted to explore the orchestral palette and pop sensibility of The Association, The 5th Dimension, Wings, and The Beach Boys; and the vocal style of Ozzy Osbourne from Black Sabbath. Within two weeks, The Polyphonic Spree created a 30-minute set, donned their signature white choir robes and performed with Grandaddy and Bright Eyes [3].

Shortly after their first show, twelve more musicians joined the band and they recorded "The Beginning Stages of ... The Polyphonic Spree", which contained all nine songs (sections) written for their first show, plus a tenth track (Section 10 – Long Day). The album was intended to serve as a demo recording to garner interest in booking the band for live performances [4]. They performed at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. As a result of the attention they received from the press and other industry pundits at the festival, the band was invited to perform at London's Meltdown Festival curated by David Bowie in 2002 [5]. They opened for The Divine Comedy at the Royal Festival Hall [6].

In early 2003, they were dropped by their record label, 679 Recordings, citing "lack of record sales." Ironically, it was about this time that the band had only just begun to break into the pop-cultural scene. The song "Light and Day / Reach For the Sun" was used in a joint Volkswagen Beetle/iPod tie-in advertising campaign, appearing on nationwide television commercials in 2004.[7] The same song was used in a tribute to Bill Walsh during an NFL football preseason special. It was also used in a community made YouTube Video, in an episode of the TV series Scrubs, the end music for the first series of the BBC Radio 7 sci-fi comedy Undone. Also during this time the band was invited to be an opening act for David Bowie on his "Reality Tour" and performed at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.

In 2004, Hollywood Records and released their second album, Together We're Heavy in Japan on June 30, Europe on July 12, and North America on July 13, 2004. The Polyphonic Spree was featured on the American television program Scrubs on April 20, 2004, in the episode "My Choosiest Choice of All" (3-19); and on the television program Las Vegas on November 29, 2004, in the episode "Silver Star" (2-10). The Polyphonic Spree was also featured on the soundtrack of the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (the DVD features a film clip music video for "Light and Day").

In December 2004, The Polyphonic Spree performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, honoring Wangari Maathai before a worldwide television audience.[8]

2005 saw the release of Thumbsucker, a feature film by Mike Mills, with a score composed by Tim DeLaughter and performed by The Polyphonic Spree.[9] The song "Light and Day / Reach for the Sun" can also be found in Murderball, a documentary about the U.S. wheelchair rugby team.

The Band released their third complete album The Fragile Army on June 19, 2007, produced by John Congleton. The Polyphonic Spree dropped their robes for their 2007 tours, and opted for black army outfits, while continuing to don the classic white robes during encores. Recently (July 2007) the song "Running Away" was featured on the Sci-Fi network in commercials promoting their line up of shows for the season.

Also in autumn of 2007, Adidas commissioned a few artists to write theme songs for MLS teams as part of a campaign called "MLS Represent".[10] The Polyphonic Spree was commissioned to write a song for FC Dallas. The result was the song "H-O-O-P-S Yes!"[11]

In September 2007, The Polyphonic Spree performed three songs, "Light and Day / Reach for the Sun", "Soldier Girl", and "Light to Follow", at Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2008 Fashion Show for New York Fashion Week.[12] They recorded the opening track to the Showtime series Weeds for season 2 (episode 9)[13], and also contributed to the Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Nightmare Before Christmas tribute CDs.

Sky Sports are currently using "Running Away" to advertise their spring and summer Cricket coverage.

UK supermarket Sainsbury's continues to use "Light and Day / Reach For the Sun" for its advertising campaign. It became the most used song in advertising in the United Kingdom.[14]

In 2009, the band wrote and performed the opening sequence to Showtime's new show The United States of Tara, which stars Toni Collette as a woman with multiple personality disorder.[15] This was performed live for the first time ever on their current tour of Australia, in the city of Adelaide.

In 2010, the song "Section 9 (Light & Day/Reach for the Sun)", was used in the episode, "The Honeymooners", of the third season of the NBC television series "Chuck" as well as the BBC's 'The Big School Lottery'.

Discography

Studio Albums
EPs
  • Soldier Girl EP (2002)
  • Light & Day EP (2003)
  • Wait EP (2006)
Singles
  • Soldier Girl (2002)
  • Light and Day 1 (2003)
  • Light and Day 2 (2003)
  • Hanging Around 1 (2002)
  • Hanging Around 2 (2002)
  • Hold Me Now (2004)
  • Two Thousand Places (2004)
  • Running Away (2007)
Live DVDs
  • Live From Austin, TX: The Polyphonic Spree (2004)
  • Coachella (2006)
  • SXSW Live 2007 DVD (2007)
Television Appearances
Film Soundtracks
Other

Members

Current members
Past members—This is incomplete
  • Ricky Rasura — Classical harp
  • Annie Clark — Guitar
  • Daniel Hart — Violin
  • John Lamonica - Percussion
  • Taylor Young - Percussion
  • Joe Butcher —Pedal steel guitar
  • Evan Jacobs — Piano
  • Todd Berridge — Viola
  • Joseph Singleton — Viola
  • Jesse Hester — Piano
  • Louis Schwadron — French Horn
  • Andrew Tinker — French Horn
  • Nick Wlodarczyk — Trombone
  • Brian Teasley — Percussion
  • Corn Mo — Vocals
  • James Reimer — Trombone
  • Mike St. Clair — Trombone
  • Chris Penn — Tour manager
  • Ryan Fitzgerald — Guitar
  • Toby Hallbrooks — Theremin
  • Stephanie Dolph — Vocals
  • Jennifer Jobe — Vocals
  • Kelly Repka — Vocals
  • Michael Turner — Vocals
  • Michael Musik — Vocals
  • Daniel Huffman — Guitar
  • Bryan Wakeland — Trap set

References

  1. ^ "Technician - Q & A with Tim DeLaughter of The Polyphonic Spree". Technicianonline.com. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  2. ^ "An Epic Performance by the Polyphonic Spree". NPR. 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  3. ^ "The Polyphonic Spree". musicOMH. 2009-08-27. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  4. ^ "Embracing the spirit of the Polyphonic Spree - May. 13, 2003". CNN.com. 2003-05-13. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  5. ^ "The Polyphonic Spree on". Fasterlouder.com.au. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  6. ^ "Meltdown | The Divine Comedy (+ The Polyphonic Spree)". Meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk. 2002-06-17. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  7. ^ "Polyphonic Spree Enjoy Volkswagen Ride While Preparing Second Album". MTV Networks. 2004-02-10. Retrieved 2010-08-16. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "Nobel Peace Prize 2004". Nobel Peace Prize Committee. Retrieved 2010-08-17. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ "Thumbsucker - Production Credits". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-17. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ Pitchfork: Rapture, Spree, RJD2, Bad Brains Pen Soccer Anthems[dead link]
  11. ^ "adidas MLS Soccer". Adidas.com. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  12. ^ "Oscar de la Renta Spring 2008". Style/Condé Nast Digital. Retrieved 2010-08-18. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ "Weeds Music". Showtime. Retrieved 2010-08-18. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ "Most used music in commercials revealed". Prsformusic.com. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  15. ^ Gubbins, Teresa. "Polyphonic Spree's Tim DeLaughter wrote theme song for new Showtime series United States of Tara". Pegasus News/PanLocal Media, LLC. Retrieved 2010-08-19. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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