Chris Feinstein
Encyclopedia
Christopher Todd Feinstein (May 26, 1967 – December 15, 2009) was an American
musician, producer, writer and collaborator from Nashville, Tennessee
.
Feinstein's career began at the age of 15, recording and touring in bands (The Questionnaires, Bedlam, Iodine), which led him to widen his studio skills where he
became interested in production and recording artist development.
In 1997, Feinstein moved to New York City
to pursue his career in production. He became a partner in a production team based at the infamous TMF Studios in the East Village
. While at TMF, he teamed up with Detroit native, producer/engineer Michael Tudor to co-produce a series of recordings of New York rock bands such as The Astrojet (featuring Jody Porter of Fountains of Wayne
), Clara Venus “Greatest Hurts” and Mikki James.
Together, Feinstein and Tudor co-produced material for The Beatles
-based soundtrack
for the film I Am Sam
featuring Rufus Wainright and Sean Lennon
's “Across The Universe” and Howie Day
's Help.”
They also co-produced Moby
’s radio singles South Side (featuring Gwen Stefani
) and We Are All Made of Stars.
During this time, Feinstein also contributed musically to various artists’ albums such as Fat Joe
's “Loyalty”,
Chantal Kreviazuk
's Juno Award
winning Color Moving and Still, Tim Finn
's “Say It Is So” and Patty Griffin
's Flaming Red.
As a multi-instrumentalist, writer and collaborator this combination of experience allowed him the ability
to communicate musically in the studio with both up-and-coming artists as well as highly acclaimed artists and producers;
Albert Hammond Jr. “Yours to Keep”, Santogold “Santogold” – Producer John Hill and Northern State “Can I Keep This Pen?”.
In 2006, Feinstein was sought-after to play bass guitar
for Ryan Adams
& The Cardinals
During this time he also became known as “Spacewolf.” As a Cardinal he recorded three albums, Easy Tiger
(2007),
Follow the Lights
EP (2007) and Cardinology
(2008) and toured extensively worldwide through 2009.
The last album he recorded playing bass guitar was New Zealand artist Gin Wigmore
's “Holy Smoke”
produced by Mike Elizondo
and engineered by Joe Chiccarelli.
Growing up, Feinstein enjoyed listening to The Clash
, The Replacements, David Bowie
, The Rolling Stones, The Flaming Lips, and Brian Wilson
.
On December 15, 2009, Feinstein was found dead in his New York City apartment. He was 42 years old.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician, producer, writer and collaborator from Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
Feinstein's career began at the age of 15, recording and touring in bands (The Questionnaires, Bedlam, Iodine), which led him to widen his studio skills where he
became interested in production and recording artist development.
In 1997, Feinstein moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to pursue his career in production. He became a partner in a production team based at the infamous TMF Studios in the East Village
East Village, Manhattan
The East Village is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, lying east of Greenwich Village, south of Gramercy and Stuyvesant Town, and north of the Lower East Side...
. While at TMF, he teamed up with Detroit native, producer/engineer Michael Tudor to co-produce a series of recordings of New York rock bands such as The Astrojet (featuring Jody Porter of Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...
), Clara Venus “Greatest Hurts” and Mikki James.
Together, Feinstein and Tudor co-produced material for The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
-based soundtrack
I Am Sam (soundtrack)
I Am Sam is the soundtrack to the 2001 film I Am Sam. It was released on January 8, 2002 by V2 Records . The album contents are made up entirely of cover versions of songs by The Beatles, although originally it was intended to comprise the original recordings by the group...
for the film I Am Sam
I Am Sam
I Am Sam is a 2001 American drama film written and directed by Jessie Nelson, and starring Sean Penn as a father with a developmental disability, Dakota Fanning as his inquisitive seven-year-old daughter, and Michelle Pfeiffer as his lawyer...
featuring Rufus Wainright and Sean Lennon
Sean Lennon
is an American singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist and actor. He is the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. His godfather is Sir Elton John.-Early life and education:...
's “Across The Universe” and Howie Day
Howie Day
Howard Kern "Howie" Day is an American singer-songwriter. Beginning his career as a solo artist in the late 1990s, Day became known for his extensive touring and in-concert use of samplers and effects pedals in order to accompany himself...
's Help.”
They also co-produced Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
’s radio singles South Side (featuring Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
) and We Are All Made of Stars.
During this time, Feinstein also contributed musically to various artists’ albums such as Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
's “Loyalty”,
Chantal Kreviazuk
Chantal Kreviazuk
Chantal Jennifer Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer-songwriter of the adult contemporary music genre. She is also a classically trained pianist, and can play the guitar.-Albums:...
's Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
winning Color Moving and Still, Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
's “Say It Is So” and Patty Griffin
Patty Griffin
Patty Griffin, born Patricia Jean Griffin, March 16, 1964, is an American Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and musician. She is especially known for her down-home crafting of songs and her connection to musicians including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, and the Dixie Chicks, who have played with...
's Flaming Red.
As a multi-instrumentalist, writer and collaborator this combination of experience allowed him the ability
to communicate musically in the studio with both up-and-coming artists as well as highly acclaimed artists and producers;
Albert Hammond Jr. “Yours to Keep”, Santogold “Santogold” – Producer John Hill and Northern State “Can I Keep This Pen?”.
In 2006, Feinstein was sought-after to play bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
for Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
& The Cardinals
During this time he also became known as “Spacewolf.” As a Cardinal he recorded three albums, Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger is the ninth studio album by Ryan Adams released on June 26, 2007 on the Lost Highway label. Although the album is attributed solely to Adams, Easy Tiger features The Cardinals as his backing band, with Adams stating: "The only real concept of this record was complete and utter...
(2007),
Follow the Lights
Follow the Lights
Follow the Lights is an EP by Ryan Adams and The Cardinals released October 23, 2007. The EP contains three new songs and four live studio recordings, including a cover of "Down in a Hole" by Alice in Chains...
EP (2007) and Cardinology
Cardinology
Cardinology is the tenth studio album by Ryan Adams, and his fourth album with The Cardinals, released on October 28, 2008. This album completed Adams' contract with Lost Highway, and marks his final recording session with the Cardinals. A vinyl version included a bonus 7", a comic book, and a...
(2008) and toured extensively worldwide through 2009.
The last album he recorded playing bass guitar was New Zealand artist Gin Wigmore
Gin Wigmore
Virginia "Gin" Wigmore is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. In 2009, she featured on the single "Brother" by Smashproof, which reached #1 on the RIANZ singles charts for 11 weeks. In 2009 she released her debut album Holy Smoke...
's “Holy Smoke”
produced by Mike Elizondo
Mike Elizondo
Michael "Mike" Elizondo is a well-known songwriter, bassist, keyboardist, and hip hop music producer.-Musical career:Mike Elizondo is especially known for his collaborations with internationally successful producer Dr. Dre and rapper Eminem. He has played the bass for many of Dr...
and engineered by Joe Chiccarelli.
Growing up, Feinstein enjoyed listening to The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, The Replacements, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, The Rolling Stones, The Flaming Lips, and Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
.
On December 15, 2009, Feinstein was found dead in his New York City apartment. He was 42 years old.
Discography
| Year | Title | Artist | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Holy Smoke | Gin Wigmore Gin Wigmore Virginia "Gin" Wigmore is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. In 2009, she featured on the single "Brother" by Smashproof, which reached #1 on the RIANZ singles charts for 11 weeks. In 2009 she released her debut album Holy Smoke... |
Bass, percussion |
| 2008 | Cardinology Cardinology Cardinology is the tenth studio album by Ryan Adams, and his fourth album with The Cardinals, released on October 28, 2008. This album completed Adams' contract with Lost Highway, and marks his final recording session with the Cardinals. A vinyl version included a bonus 7", a comic book, and a... |
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals | Co-writer, bass, background vocals |
| 2008 | Santogold Santogold (album) Santogold is the self-titled debut studio album by American alternative artist Santigold... |
Santogold | Co-writer, guitar |
| 2007 | Everybody Knows | Ryan Adams Ryan Adams David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000... |
Bass |
| 2007 | Follow the Lights (EP) | Ryan Adams Ryan Adams David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000... |
Bass |
| 2007 | Can I Keep This Pen? Can I Keep This Pen? Can I Keep This Pen? is the third album from New York-based rap trio Northern State.-Track listing:#"Mic Tester" – 1:47#"Better Already" – 2:57#"Oooh Girl" – 2:57#"Mother May I?" – 3:15#"Away Away" – 3:35... |
Northern State | Co-writer, guitar, bass |
| 2007 | Seastories | Minnie Driver Minnie Driver Minnie Driver is an English actress and singer-songwriter. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, as well as for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for her work in the television series The Riches.- Early life... |
Bass |
| 2007 | Easy Tiger | Ryan Adams Ryan Adams David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000... |
Bass |
| 2007 | Yours to Keep (US) | Albert Hammond, Jr. | Bass |
| 2007 | Second Time Around | Nell Bryden Nell Bryden Nell Bryden is an American singer-songwriter. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, to parents themselves a singer and artist .... |
Guitar |
| 2006 | Go – The Very Best of Moby | Moby Moby Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early... |
Mixing |
| 2006 | Yours to Keep (UK) | Albert Hammond, Jr. | Bass |
| 2006 | Sinners Like Me | Eric Church Eric Church Kenneth Eric Church is an American country music singer and songwriter. Signed to Capitol Records in 2006, Church released his debut album Sinners Like Me that year... |
Bass |
| 2005 | From Midnight On | Nell Bryden Nell Bryden Nell Bryden is an American singer-songwriter. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, to parents themselves a singer and artist .... |
Guitar |
| 2005 | Greatest Hurts | Clara Venus | Guitar, producer, percussion, tambourine |
| 2004 | Everything Changed | Abra Moore Abra Moore Abra Moore is a folk-styled rock singer-songwriter. Her 1997 album Strangest Places included the hit "Four Leaf Clover", which received airplay in Midwest U.S. radio markets and VH1 and MTV2 rotation, and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.-Biography:Moore's parents named Abra after the heroine of... |
Bass |
| 2003 | The Bridge | Shaye Shaye Shaye was a Canadian pop group, consisting of singer-songwriters Kim Stockwood, Damhnait Doyle and Tara MacLean who left the group in 2007.-The Bridge:... |
Bass |
| 2003 | Regret Over the Wires Regret Over the Wires Regret Over the Wires is an album by Matthew Ryan, released September 23, 2003 by Hybrid Recordings.-Track listing:All words and music by Matthew Ryan, except where noted.#"Return to Me" – 4:48#"The Little Things" – 3:00#"Trouble Doll" – 4:50... |
Matthew Ryan | Vocals (background) |
| 2003 | Electrotech (Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and... ) |
Various artists | Mixing |
| 2003 | Decadence Pure Global Chillout | Various artists | Mixing |
| 2003 | Dancestar 2002 | Various artists | Mixing |
| 2003 | Best Dance Album in the World...Ever! | Various artists | Mixing |
| 2002 | Loyalty | Fat Joe Fat Joe Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad.... |
Bass |
| 2002 | Clubber's Guide to Ibiza 2001 (Universal International) | Various artists | Mixing |
| 2002 | Now, Vol. 52 (UK) | Various artists | Mixing |
| 2002 | Karma Lounge, Vol. 2 | Various artists | Mixing |
| 2002 | Addicted to Trance | Various artists | Mixing |
| 2002 | Here Comes the Trick | Pleasure Club | Bass, drums |
| 2002 | Electric Electric (Jack Ingram album) Electric is the 5th studio album, released in 2002, by American country music artist Jack Ingram. The only single released was, "One Thing" which failed to chart... |
Jack Ingram Jack Ingram Jack Owen Ingram is an American Texas Country artist signed to Big Machine Records, an independent record label. He has released eight studio albums, one extended play, six live albums and eighteen singles. Although active since 1992, Ingram did not reach the U.S. country Top 40 until the late... |
Bass |
| 2002 | I Am Sam I Am Sam (soundtrack) I Am Sam is the soundtrack to the 2001 film I Am Sam. It was released on January 8, 2002 by V2 Records . The album contents are made up entirely of cover versions of songs by The Beatles, although originally it was intended to comprise the original recordings by the group... (Motion picture soundtrack) |
Various artists | Bass, guitar, mixing, percussion, producer |
| 2002 | Thinking Room | Anika Moa Anika Moa Anika Rose Moa is a New Zealand pop recording artist. In 2001 she signed to Atlantic Records in the United States and released her debut album, Thinking Room, the album reached the top of the New Zealand Singles Chart and was a commercial success.Moa was raised in Christchurch, New Zealand... |
Bass |
| 2001 | Thinking Room | Anika Moa Anika Moa Anika Rose Moa is a New Zealand pop recording artist. In 2001 she signed to Atlantic Records in the United States and released her debut album, Thinking Room, the album reached the top of the New Zealand Singles Chart and was a commercial success.Moa was raised in Christchurch, New Zealand... |
Bass |
| 2000 | Colour Moving and Still Colour Moving and Still Colour Moving and Still is the second album by Canadian singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, released in 1999. An edition of the album is also available with a bonus disc.-Track listing:All songs written by Chantal Kreviazuk#"Blue" – 4:58... (Canada) |
Chantal Kreviazuk Chantal Kreviazuk Chantal Jennifer Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer-songwriter of the adult contemporary music genre. She is also a classically trained pianist, and can play the guitar.-Albums:... |
Bass |
| 2000 | Say It Is So Say It Is So Say It Is So is the fifth solo album by New Zealand singer/songwriter Tim Finn.After the release of Before & After Finn was left without a record company but with a lot of inspiration. He met producer Jay Joyce in Nashville, TN in 1998 with whom he worked. The problem was that there was still no... |
Tim Finn Tim Finn Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn... |
Bass |
| 2001 | East Autumn Grin East Autumn Grin East Autumn Grin is Matthew Ryan's second album. It was released on August 15, 2000 on A&M Records.-Track listing:All words and music by Matthew Ryan, except where noted.#"3rd of October"#"Heartache Weather"#"I Hear a Symphony"#"Me and My Lover"... |
Matthew Ryan | Bass, vocals (background) |
| 1999 | Anywhere but Here (Motion picture soundtrack) | Various artists | Co-writer, drums |
| 1999 | Greta Gaines | Greta Gaines | Bass |
| 1998 | Flaming Red | Patty Griffin Patty Griffin Patty Griffin, born Patricia Jean Griffin, March 16, 1964, is an American Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and musician. She is especially known for her down-home crafting of songs and her connection to musicians including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, and the Dixie Chicks, who have played with... |
Bass, vocals (background) |
| 1998 | Falling Forward Falling Forward Falling Forward is the audio companion to Sandi Patty`s autobiographical book of the same name presenting a collection of the singer's Christian pop songs.-Track listings:# "Made Me Glad"# "Sing to the King"# "Falling Forward"... |
Margaret Becker Margaret Becker Margaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She has had twenty-one No. 1 Christian radio hits, won four Dove Awards, and been nominated for four Grammy Awards.-Biography:... |
Bass |
| 1998 | Baby Grand | Iodine | Co-writer, bass, design, vocals, photography |
| 1996 | Sweetie | Daniel Tashian | Bass, drums |
| 1995 | Maximum Joy Maximum Joy Maximum Joy were a post-punk band from Bristol, England.When the Glaxo Babies split in 1979, Tony Wrafter formed Maximum Joy with Janine Rainforth , and they were later joined by Dan Catsis and Charlie Llewellin , and John Waddington... |
Iodine | Co-writer, bass, photography, background vocals |
| 1992 | Into the Coals | Bedlam | Bass, composer, background vocals |
| 1992 | EP | Bedlam | Bass, background vocals |
| 1991 | Anything Can Happen | The Questionnaires | Co-writer, bass, background vocals |
| 1989 | Window to the World | The Questionnaires | Bass, background vocals |
| 1986 | Far Away | Shadow 15 | Drums, background vocals |
External links
- Lost Highway Records: Ryan Adams
- The Cardinals' Chris 'Spacewolf' Feinstein dies | News | NME.COM
- Chris Feinstein, Bassist for Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Dead at 42 | Nashville Cream
- Uncut.co.uk - News
- Chris Feinstein 1967-2009 R.I.P. on Blurt Online
- RIP NYC Musician and Ryan Adams & the Cardinals Bassist Chris Feinstein - New York Music - Sound of the City
- The Other Side Of Nashville: Chris Feinstein, Unsung Hero
- Chris Feinstein
- Nashville FM - Chris Feinstein, Bass Player For Ryan Adams, Dead At 42
- Pitchfork: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals Bassist Chris Feinstein R.I.P
- Ryan Adams & The Cardinals Bassist Chris Feinstein Dies at 42 | The Measure
- Lifenotes: Chris Feinstein; Bill Burnette Undergoes Surgery : MusicRow
- Christopher Todd Feinstein Obituary: View Christopher Feinstein's Obituary by The Tennessean