AgesandAges
Encyclopedia
AgesandAges is an American
rock band
from Portland
which has been receiving positive critical attention because of its upbeat "raw choral pop" sound. Their music features seven-part vocal harmonies accompanied by handclaps, shakers and noise-makers. It is a secular band with a big tent revival sound. The group was voted as a top Portland band by Willamette Week. In 2011, they signed a record deal with Knitting Factory Records
and have been touring nationally in the United States
.
AgesandAges performed at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin
in March 2011. Their song No Nostalgia from their debut album Alright You Restless was previewed on National Public Radio. The album was recorded "almost entirely live" with seven voices singing into a single microphone, according to one account. It sounds like "a group of friends who drive around in a van singing songs wherever anyone will let them sing," according to critic Ryan White of The Oregonian.
Reviewer Kevin Friedman commented on the band's persona, describing it as somewhat like a cult
which values "commitment" and with an Up With People
vibe and has a "sunny" sound. Friedman quoted Perry about his thinking about the debut album:
Friedman elaborated that the group draws "significant sonic influence from his religious upbringing" and that having seven members helps achieve a "congregation sound" even though the lyrics are basically secular thematically. Perry said the sound was achieved by "all the voices chiming in, that swell and spontaneous movement that grabs you," in an interview. In 2011, they released a video directed by Alicia J. Rose entitled Navy Parade. Their first record was produced by Kevin Robinson.
press. In addition, their music at the South by Southwest
music festival in March 2011 was noted by critics from Boston and Chicago papers. Reviewer Casey Jarman in Willamette Week described the debut album as "classic" which "sinks its teeth into a listener within the first five seconds" and which has a "joyful, electric spirit" which "seems almost comically out of place in a city full of down-tempo sad sacks." He described the vocal harmonies as "thick, tight-but-exuberant" and he wrote that "desperation breeds art with a pulse." He wrote:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
from Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
which has been receiving positive critical attention because of its upbeat "raw choral pop" sound. Their music features seven-part vocal harmonies accompanied by handclaps, shakers and noise-makers. It is a secular band with a big tent revival sound. The group was voted as a top Portland band by Willamette Week. In 2011, they signed a record deal with Knitting Factory Records
Knitting Factory Records
Knitting Factory Records is an independent American music label that is notable for promoting a variety of artists including deceased Nigerian political agitator and musician Fela Kuti...
and have been touring nationally in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Music
AgesandAges was founded by Tim Perry when his earlier band, Pseudosix, was disintegrating in 2008; early members were Daniel Hunt and Graham Mackenzie. The group gelled in 2009 with seven members. According to one account, it was Perry's conception to have the band be a "joyful and choral" rock group without apathy and drama and with music which felt "good to play and made people move." Members are in their early thirties generally; members divy up responsibilities such as counting money and managing T-shirts. The band travels nationally by using a 12-seat passenger van which was modified to hold 15 seats.AgesandAges performed at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in March 2011. Their song No Nostalgia from their debut album Alright You Restless was previewed on National Public Radio. The album was recorded "almost entirely live" with seven voices singing into a single microphone, according to one account. It sounds like "a group of friends who drive around in a van singing songs wherever anyone will let them sing," according to critic Ryan White of The Oregonian.
Reviewer Kevin Friedman commented on the band's persona, describing it as somewhat like a cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
which values "commitment" and with an Up With People
Up with People
Up with People is an international education organization founded in 1968 by J. Blanton Belk, building from roots in the similar "Sing-Out" program of 1965. Up With People is best known for their musical performances by international casts consisting of 70–100 students from, on average, 20...
vibe and has a "sunny" sound. Friedman quoted Perry about his thinking about the debut album:
Friedman elaborated that the group draws "significant sonic influence from his religious upbringing" and that having seven members helps achieve a "congregation sound" even though the lyrics are basically secular thematically. Perry said the sound was achieved by "all the voices chiming in, that swell and spontaneous movement that grabs you," in an interview. In 2011, they released a video directed by Alicia J. Rose entitled Navy Parade. Their first record was produced by Kevin Robinson.
Reviews
Reviews have been positive from critics in the OregonOregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
press. In addition, their music at the South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
music festival in March 2011 was noted by critics from Boston and Chicago papers. Reviewer Casey Jarman in Willamette Week described the debut album as "classic" which "sinks its teeth into a listener within the first five seconds" and which has a "joyful, electric spirit" which "seems almost comically out of place in a city full of down-tempo sad sacks." He described the vocal harmonies as "thick, tight-but-exuberant" and he wrote that "desperation breeds art with a pulse." He wrote: