Blake Sennett
Encyclopedia
Blake Sennett is the lead guitarist for indie rock
band Rilo Kiley
and the lead singer/lead guitarist for his alt-rock side project the Elected
. He was born as Blake Sennett Swendson in San Diego, California
. He attended La Jolla High School
with his Rilo Kiley
bandmate Pierre De Reeder. In addition to being a musician, Sennett was a child actor, appearing on the television shows Salute Your Shorts
and Boy Meets World
. Sennett originally went by the names Blake Soper and Blake Swendson as an actor.
and Joseph "Joey the Rat" Epstein on Boy Meets World
. After Salute Your Shorts was canceled and his role on Boy Meets World was written off, Sennett switched gears and began to focus on music.
He met Rilo Kiley bandmate Jenny Lewis
through Tara Subkoff
in 1993. The two formed the band in 1998 and dated for several years until ending their relationship after the release of The Execution of All Things
in 2002.
In 1996, he composed the score for the film Don's Plum
. Lewis was the female lead in the film. Because of a lawsuit brought by stars Leonardo DiCaprio
and Tobey Maguire
, this film cannot be distributed in the United States
or Canada
. However, it was released in 2001 in Europe as a Region 2 DVD. This version contains Sennett's original score, as well as the song "Go Ahead," written by Sennett and Jenny Lewis
in 1996. The song was included on Rilo Kiley
's first LP
, Take-Offs and Landings
(2001). Sennett has remained good friends with Maguire, Ethan Suplee
, and Scott Bloom
since the making of the film. He had previously starred with Ben Savage and Suplee on Boy Meets World.
In 2003, he founded a second band, the Elected, along with his good friend Mike Bloom.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel....
and the lead singer/lead guitarist for his alt-rock side project the Elected
The Elected
The Elected are a Los Angeles-based indie rock band. The Elected have released two albums with Sub Pop: Me First in 2004, and Sun, Sun, Sun in 2006...
. He was born as Blake Sennett Swendson in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. He attended La Jolla High School
La Jolla High School
La Jolla, CA 92037 Enrollment 1,650 Colors Black & Red██ Mascot Viking Rival Schools The Bishop's School, Cathedral Catholic High School, Mission Bay High School, University City High School Homepage...
with his Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel....
bandmate Pierre De Reeder. In addition to being a musician, Sennett was a child actor, appearing on the television shows Salute Your Shorts
Salute Your Shorts
Salute Your Shorts is an American comedy television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 1991–1992 and in reruns until early 1999. It was last rerun on Nickelodeon GaS from July through September of 2003....
and Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
. Sennett originally went by the names Blake Soper and Blake Swendson as an actor.
Early years
In the early to mid-1990s, Sennett appeared in shows primarily marketed towards teens. During this period he ended up playing two big supporting roles of Ronnie Pinsky on Salute Your ShortsSalute Your Shorts
Salute Your Shorts is an American comedy television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 1991–1992 and in reruns until early 1999. It was last rerun on Nickelodeon GaS from July through September of 2003....
and Joseph "Joey the Rat" Epstein on Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
. After Salute Your Shorts was canceled and his role on Boy Meets World was written off, Sennett switched gears and began to focus on music.
He met Rilo Kiley bandmate Jenny Lewis
Jenny Lewis
Jennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
through Tara Subkoff
Tara Subkoff
Tara Lyn Subkoff is an American actress and fashion designer from Westport, Connecticut. She has acted in over a dozen movies, most recently 2006's The Notorious Bettie Page....
in 1993. The two formed the band in 1998 and dated for several years until ending their relationship after the release of The Execution of All Things
The Execution of All Things
The Execution of All Things is the second full length album released by Los Angeles-based indie pop band Rilo Kiley. Expanding on their previous musical sound that mostly incorporated guitars, vocals, percussion and pianos, "Execution" contains heavy electronica sampling mixed into the songs in a...
in 2002.
Music
In the early 1990s when Sennett was in high school, he played drums in a band called the Caustic Truth. Future Rilo Kiley bassist Pierre De Reeder was his bandmate. Sennett was kicked out of the band, and the remaining members kept his drums.In 1996, he composed the score for the film Don's Plum
Don's Plum
Don's Plum is a 2001 low-budget black and white drama film directed by R.D. Robb. Robb co-wrote it with Bethany Ashton, Tawd Hackman, David Stutman, and Dale Wheatley. The film features Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Connolly and Tobey Maguire, who make crude jokes while hanging out in a Los Angeles diner...
. Lewis was the female lead in the film. Because of a lawsuit brought by stars Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. He has received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator , and has been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television...
and Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire
Tobias Vincent "Tobey" Maguire is an American actor and producer. He began his career in the 1980s, and has achieved his greatest fame for his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films.-Early life:...
, this film cannot be distributed in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. However, it was released in 2001 in Europe as a Region 2 DVD. This version contains Sennett's original score, as well as the song "Go Ahead," written by Sennett and Jenny Lewis
Jenny Lewis
Jennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
in 1996. The song was included on Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel....
's first LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, Take-Offs and Landings
Take-Offs and Landings
Take Offs and Landings is Rilo Kiley's debut full-length album, originally released in 2001 on the independent label Barsuk Records. It was re-released in 2007 and released for the first time on vinyl on March 15, 2011....
(2001). Sennett has remained good friends with Maguire, Ethan Suplee
Ethan Suplee
Ethan Suplee is an American film and television actor best known for his roles as Seth Ryan in American History X, Louie Lastik in Remember the Titans, Frankie in Boy Meets World, Randy Hickey in My Name Is Earl, Thumper in The Butterfly Effect, Dewey in Unstoppable, and his roles in Kevin Smith...
, and Scott Bloom
Scott Bloom
Scott Matthew Bloom is an American actor and film producer.Bloom was born in Merrick, New York. He began acting in film and television at a young age, starring in the cult horror film The Stuff and subsequently appeared in numerous TV serials and TV movies including the role of Jesse Nash in the...
since the making of the film. He had previously starred with Ben Savage and Suplee on Boy Meets World.
In 2003, he founded a second band, the Elected, along with his good friend Mike Bloom.
Albums
- Take-Offs and LandingsTake-Offs and LandingsTake Offs and Landings is Rilo Kiley's debut full-length album, originally released in 2001 on the independent label Barsuk Records. It was re-released in 2007 and released for the first time on vinyl on March 15, 2011....
(2001, Barsuk) - The Execution of All ThingsThe Execution of All ThingsThe Execution of All Things is the second full length album released by Los Angeles-based indie pop band Rilo Kiley. Expanding on their previous musical sound that mostly incorporated guitars, vocals, percussion and pianos, "Execution" contains heavy electronica sampling mixed into the songs in a...
(2002, Saddle CreekSaddle Creek RecordsSaddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
) - More AdventurousMore AdventurousMore Adventurous is the third full length album released by Los Angeles based band Rilo Kiley. The album, released on August 17, 2004, marks a significant change in the band's sound with the goal of being "more adventurous" than their previous music...
(2004, Brute/Beaute) - Under the BlacklightUnder the BlacklightUnder the Blacklight is the fourth and final full-length studio album released by American alternative rock band Rilo Kiley. It was released on August 20, 2007, in the United Kingdom - three years and three days after the release of their third album, More Adventurous. Warner Bros. Records released...
(2007, Brute/Beaute)
EPs
- Rilo KileyThe Initial Friend E.P.The Initial Friend E.P. was the first release put out by Los Angeles based rock band Rilo Kiley. It was initially a self titled release that was put out by the band independently in 1999. They re-pressed it with altered artwork and track-listing in 2000, and then did the same thing again for a...
(first pressing, 1999, Rilo Records) - Rilo KileyThe Initial Friend E.P.The Initial Friend E.P. was the first release put out by Los Angeles based rock band Rilo Kiley. It was initially a self titled release that was put out by the band independently in 1999. They re-pressed it with altered artwork and track-listing in 2000, and then did the same thing again for a...
(second pressing, 2000, Rilo Records) - The Initial Friend E.P.The Initial Friend E.P.The Initial Friend E.P. was the first release put out by Los Angeles based rock band Rilo Kiley. It was initially a self titled release that was put out by the band independently in 1999. They re-pressed it with altered artwork and track-listing in 2000, and then did the same thing again for a...
(2001, Rilo Records) - Live at Fingerprints EPLive at Fingerprints EPLive at Fingerprints EP is a live album by Rilo Kiley recorded at Fingerprints Records in Long Beach, California. It was released 2004 on their very own Brute/Beaute Records...
(2004, Brute/Beaute)
Singles
- "Science vs. RomanceScience vs. Romance"Science vs. Romance" is the debut single by Rilo Kiley, taken from their first album Take-Offs and Landings.The song is powerful in its attempt to connect scientific themes with love...
/About the Moon" [7"] (2001, Falsetto Records, FR002) - "After HoursAfter Hours- Television and film :* After Hours , a 1985 movie directed by Martin Scorsese* After Hours , a 1953 Canadian television series* After Hours , a 2007 television drama broadcasted in Singapore...
" [Split 7" with Bright Eyes and Sorry About DresdenSorry About DresdenSorry About Dresden is a four-man indie rock band from Chapel Hill, N.C. Since forming in 1997, the band has made a modest splash in the national indie scene....
] (2002, Devil In The Woods, issue #4.3) - "The Execution of All ThingsThe Execution of All ThingsThe Execution of All Things is the second full length album released by Los Angeles-based indie pop band Rilo Kiley. Expanding on their previous musical sound that mostly incorporated guitars, vocals, percussion and pianos, "Execution" contains heavy electronica sampling mixed into the songs in a...
/Emotional (Until Crickets Guide You Back)/After HoursAfter Hours- Television and film :* After Hours , a 1985 movie directed by Martin Scorsese* After Hours , a 1953 Canadian television series* After Hours , a 2007 television drama broadcasted in Singapore...
" [7" & CD] (2003, Saddle Creek, SCE-56) - "Portions for Foxes/A Town Called Luckey" [CD] (2005, Brute/Beaute, Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
) - "Portions for Foxes/American Wife/Portions For Foxes (video)" [CD] (2005, Brute/Beaute, Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
) - "It's a HitIt's a Hit (Rilo Kiley song)"It's a Hit" is the first single from Rilo Kiley's third album, More Adventurous. The song received an American release in July 2004 but wasn't released as a single in the UK until the next year. The single featured an all-new track "Patiently" and was released on Brute/Beaute Records....
/Patiently" [7" & CD] (2005, Brute/Beaute, Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
) - "It's A HitIt's a Hit"It's a Hit" is the first single from Rilo Kiley's third album, More Adventurous. The song received an American release in July 2004 but wasn't released as a single in the UK until the next year. The single featured an all-new track "Patiently" and was released on Brute/Beaute Records....
/Simply Irresistible" [CD] (2005, Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
)
Compilations
- Saddle Creek 50Saddle Creek 50Saddle Creek 50 is a compilation by Saddle Creek Records in honor of being the label's 50th album release. It was released in 2003 and features one album track and one non-album track by each of the bands then recording for the label.-Disc 1:...
(2002, Saddle Creek) songs: "With Arms Outstretched," "Jenny, You're Barely Alive"
Albums
- Me FirstMe First (album)Me First is the first release by indie band The Elected which was released in 2004 by Sub Pop. It is a mix between indie and country that appeals to a range of different listeners.-Track listing:#"7 September 2003" – 3:56#"Greetings in Braille" – 3:58...
(2004 · Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
) - Sun, Sun, SunSun, Sun, SunSun, Sun, Sun is the second album by indie band The Elected, released in 2006 by Sub Pop.-Track listing:#"Clouds Parting " – 0:44#"Would You Come with Me" – 2:50...
(2006 · Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
) - Bury Me In My RingsBury Me In My RingsBury Me In My Rings is the third album by indie band The Elected which was released on 17 May 2011 by Vagrant Records. It is described as "complete with twelve shimmering pop songs reminiscent of mid-century West Coast rock." A first single, 'Babyface', was exclusively released on Spin.com on 2...
(2011 · Vagrant RecordsVagrant RecordsVagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
)
Compilations
- Lagniappe: A Saddle Creek Benefit for Hurricane KatrinaLagniappe (album)Lagniappe is a compilation album put together by Omaha record label Saddle Creek, after the events of Hurricane Katrina. It is a benefit album, and all profits from its sale are donated to the Red Cross' relief efforts in New Orleans....
(2005 · Saddle Creek)
-
- song: "San Francisco via Chicago Blues"
Other appearances
- Bright Eyes - Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the GroundLifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the GroundLifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground is the fourth album by Bright Eyes. This album is the 46th release of Saddle Creek Records...
(2002 · Saddle Creek)
Albums
- Grand Ole PartyGrand Ole PartyGrand Ole Party was a three-piece band from San Diego, California consisting of singer-drummer Kristin Gundred, guitarist John Paul Labno and bassist Michael Krechnyak. They started playing in San Diego in mid-2006, having moved from the San Francisco area...
HumanimalsHumanimalsHumanimals is the debut album released by San Diego alternative rock band Grand Ole Party. It was released on August 7, 2007 on iTunes and was released on DH Records, February 5, 2008....
(2007, DH Records) - The Devil's Made a New Friend, Jarrod Gorbel (2010)
Selected filmography
- Once and AgainOnce and AgainOnce and Again is an American television series that aired on ABC from September 21, 1999 to April 15, 2002. It depicts the family of a single mother and her romance with a single father...
- (2000) - 3rd Rock from the Sun3rd Rock from the Sun3rd Rock from the Sun is an American sitcom that aired from 1996 to 2001 on NBC. The show is about four extraterrestrials who are on an expedition to Earth, which they consider to be a very insignificant planet...
(1997–1999) - Buffy the Vampire Slayer - (1999)
- Boy Meets WorldBoy Meets WorldBoy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
- (1994–1998) - Smart GuySmart GuySmart Guy is an American sitcom created by Danny Kallis. The series ran on The WB for three seasons from April 2, 1997 to May 16, 1999.-Premise:The show centers on the misadventures of boy genius T.J...
- (1997) - Public MoralsPublic Morals (TV series)Public Morals is an American situation comedy that aired on the CBS network in October 1996. Created and executive produced by Steven Bochco, the series was poorly received and was canceled after airing only one episode.-Synopsis:...
- (1996) - Last ResortLast Resort (2000 film)Last Resort is a film by Pawel Pawlikowski, released in 2000 and starring Dina Korzun, Artyom Strelnikov and Paddy Considine.A young Russian woman and her son arrive in London, expecting to be met by her fiancé. When he does not arrive, they claim asylum, and are confined to a small seaside town...
- (1996) - Driven - (1996)
- Melrose Place - (1996)
- Salute Your ShortsSalute Your ShortsSalute Your Shorts is an American comedy television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 1991–1992 and in reruns until early 1999. It was last rerun on Nickelodeon GaS from July through September of 2003....
- (1992) - The Wonder YearsThe Wonder YearsThe Wonder Years is an American television comedy-drama created by Carol Black and Neal Marlens. It ran for six seasons on ABC from 1988 through 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988 after ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XXII....
- (1990–1991) - His & Hers - (1990)
- My Two DadsMy Two DadsMy Two Dads is an American sitcom that starred Staci Keanan, Paul Reiser and Greg Evigan. It aired on NBC from 1987 to 1990 and was produced by Michael Jacobs Productions in association with TriStar Television and distributed by TeleVentures.-Show synopsis:The show begins when Marcy Bradford , the...
- (1989) - Family TiesFamily TiesFamily Ties is an American sitcom that aired on NBC for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1989. The sitcom reflected the move in the United States from the cultural liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s to the conservatism of the 1980s. This was particularly expressed through the relationship between young...
- (1987) - Highway to HeavenHighway to HeavenHighway to Heaven is an American television drama series which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1989.- Season 1 :- Season 2 :- Season 3 :- Season 4 :- Season 5 :...
- (1987)