Stars Like Fleas Explained
| Stars Like Fleas |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Genre: | Experimental rock
Indie rock |
| Years Active: | 1998–present |
| Label: | Hometapes, Praemedia, Talitres |
| Website: | Official website |
| Current Members: | Shannon Fields
Montgomery Knott
Ryan Smith
Tianna Kennedy
Ryan Sawyer
Matt Lavelle
Shayna Dulberger
Laura Ortman
Sam Amidon
Jon Natchez
Shelley Burgon |
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
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]
Members
- 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
- 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
- Couture, François. "[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r676344|pure_url=yes}} Sun Lights Down on the Fence]." Allmusic.
- Burns, Todd. "Sun Lights Down on the Fence." Stylus Magazine January 5, 2004.
- http://www.brooklynrail.org/2006/9/music/sounds-paths-radios-notes-on-stars-like- Sounds, Paths, Radios: Notes on Stars Like Fleas
- http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/stars-like-fleas/sun-lights-down-on-the-fence.htm Stylus Magazine Review of Sun Lights Down on the Fence
- http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/22266-sun-lights-down-on-the-fence?artist_title=22266-sun-lights-down-on-the-fence Pitchfork Review of Sun Lights Down on the Fence
External links
Interviews
