David Bazan
Encyclopedia
David Bazan is an indie rock
singer-songwriter
from Seattle, Washington
. Bazan was the lead singer and creative force behind the now-defunct band Pedro the Lion
and was the lead singer of Headphones
, a band he formed out of his interest in synthesizer
s. In early 2006, he began performing and recording under his own name.
in the band The Guilty (later named Coolidge) with fellow songwriter Damien Jurado
. Bazan had attended Shorewood High School with Jurado.
In 2002, he played drums and sang backup vocals for Seldom
; in 2004, he played with Starflyer 59
. Bazan has made various studio appearances with Seattle-based bands; for instance, In 2004 he sang on the Six Parts Seven
remix album Lost Notes From Forgotten Songs, played drums in 1998 on Unwed Sailor
's Firecracker
EP, and contributed to the Rosie Thomas
album These Friends of Mine
.
In 2005, Bazan collaborated with TW Walsh, Frank Lenz
of Starflyer 59
and Nick Peterson (formerly of Fleet Foxes
), comprising the band Headphones
. Walsh later left the band for personal reasons after a tour on which he handled drum duties. Peterson filled in on drums for the remaining Headphones live shows. The band released one self-titled LP and there were no subsequent plans from Bazan to continue recording under the Headphones moniker.
Bazan was part of The Undertow Orchestra
with Mark Eitzel
(American Music Club
), Will Johnson
(Centro-matic
, South San Gabriel
), Vic Chesnutt
, and Scott Danbom (Centro-matic, South San Gabriel). They toured the USA and Europe in 2006.
Bazan is a personal friend of comedian Horatio Sanz
, and performed at Sanz's 2006 Christmas show, The Ho-Ho-Horatio Christmas Special, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
in New York City. In 2007 he did a Take-Away Show acoustic video session.
Bazan has also been involved with musical acts Scientific and The Soft Drugs
.
, in between touring as a member of The Undertow Orchestra
. The EP was released on June 13, 2006. Bazan recently finished a nationwide solo tour featuring Ben Gibbard
of Death Cab for Cutie
and Johnathan Rice
and also contributed a cover of the song "Let Down" to Stereogum
's OK X project, a tribute to the Radiohead
album OK Computer
.
In September 2008, in an interview with 89.3 The Current , Bazan mentioned that his next album would be played entirely by him and that he would recruit friends to play live when he tours. The album, Curse Your Branches, includes "Please, Baby, Please," a song he debuted during the interview. During his solo tour in September 2008, Bazan debuted six other songs that were on the short list for Curse Your Branches: "Weeds in the Wheat", "Curse Your Branches", "Broken Arm", "In Stitches," and "Harmless Sparks."
Bazan released his first DVD the following month. The DVD contains interviews and intimate live performances filmed in his home studio, on his front porch, and while driving around in his Ford Bronco
. It was shot during two weekends in June and July 2008 in Seattle. The DVD, entitled Bazan: Alone at the Microphone, was released October 21, 2008.
In October 2008, Bazan released the album version of "American Flags" on his Facebook and Myspace pages to coincide with the 2008 United State presidential election. The track was made available for purchase on iTunes and other online vendors in November, along with the version of "Please, Baby, Please" recorded for the DVD.
Beginning in March 2009, Bazan played a series of small, acoustic house shows. The smaller shows allowed him to debut new material and generate income, while still maintaining a low profile per the request of his record label.
Bazan's full length debut album, Curse Your Branches, was released on September 1, 2009 on Barsuk Records
.
On November 1, 2010, Bazan announced his second full length solo album entitled Strange Negotiations
. It was released May 24, 2011 as announced.
See also: Pedro the Lion discography, Headphones discography
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...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
from Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. Bazan was the lead singer and creative force behind the now-defunct band Pedro the Lion
Pedro the Lion
Pedro the Lion was an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Singer-songwriter David Bazan formed the band in 1995 and represented its main creative force, backed by a varying rotation of collaborating musicians. T. W. Walsh is considered to be the sole official band member besides Bazan. In...
and was the lead singer of Headphones
Headphones (band)
Headphones was an American indie rock-synth band with members David Bazan , Frank Lenz of Starflyer 59, and T. W. Walsh...
, a band he formed out of his interest in synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s. In early 2006, he began performing and recording under his own name.
Collaborations
In the early 90's he played drumsDrum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
in the band The Guilty (later named Coolidge) with fellow songwriter Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado is an American indie rock singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Over the years he has released albums on many labels; today, his primary label is Secretly Canadian.-Music career:...
. Bazan had attended Shorewood High School with Jurado.
In 2002, he played drums and sang backup vocals for Seldom
Seldom
Seldom was a Seattle-based pop-rock trio. Their line-up consisted of piano, bass, and drums, but some songs included electric guitar, mellotron, strings, or other keyboard instruments. They toured in support of both Pedro the Lion and Sarah Shannon...
; in 2004, he played with Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59 is an alternative rock band from Riverside, California that was founded in 1993 by Jason Martin, brother of Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric. While Jason Martin has written nearly all of Starflyer 59's songs, the band has included a number of different musicians over the years, including...
. Bazan has made various studio appearances with Seattle-based bands; for instance, In 2004 he sang on the Six Parts Seven
The Six Parts Seven
The Six Parts Seven was an American post-rock band formerly based in Kent, Ohio. The band was founded in 1995 by brothers Allen and Jay Karpinski , who had earlier played with Old Hearts Club, a band of similar style...
remix album Lost Notes From Forgotten Songs, played drums in 1998 on Unwed Sailor
Unwed Sailor
Unwed Sailor is a mostly instrumental band formed in 1998 by Johnathon Ford. Unwed Sailor's recordings range from instrumental rock to ambient drones. The band's touring and recording line-ups have largely been in rotation over the years, with the core member being the band's founder, Johnathon Ford...
's Firecracker
Firecracker EP
The Firecracker EP is a 1998 release by Unwed Sailor. It served as the band's first release, largely defining their instrumental, bass-anchored songs.-Track listing:# "Firecracker" – 2:36# "Ruby's Wishes" – 3:03# "Snowcaps" – 3:12...
EP, and contributed to the Rosie Thomas
Rosie Thomas
Rosie Thomas is an American singer-songwriter, originally from Michigan. It was through mutual friends that she met Trey Many and began playing shows with Velour 100. They recorded one EP together and played a few short tours, where she met Damien Jurado and Pedro the Lion...
album These Friends of Mine
These Friends of Mine (album)
These Friends of Mine is the fourth album by American singer-songwriter Rosie Thomas, released in 2006. Jeremy Enigk, Sufjan Stevens, David Bazan, Damien Jurado, and Denison Witmer also appear on this album. The album was initially only available for purchase at online music stores...
.
In 2005, Bazan collaborated with TW Walsh, Frank Lenz
Frank Lenz
Frank Lenz is a drummer from Southern California who has done work for many bands and artists, including but not limited to Starflyer 59, Daniel Amos, Crystal Lewis, Duraluxe, Map, Charity Empressa, Kevin Max, Cush and The Dingees.-Biography:Frank Lenz started taking drum lessons when he was eight...
of Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59 is an alternative rock band from Riverside, California that was founded in 1993 by Jason Martin, brother of Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric. While Jason Martin has written nearly all of Starflyer 59's songs, the band has included a number of different musicians over the years, including...
and Nick Peterson (formerly of Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes are a folk rock band which formed in Seattle, Washington. They are signed to the Sub Pop and Bella Union record labels. The band came to prominence in 2008 with the release of their second EP, Sun Giant, and their debut full length album Fleet Foxes...
), comprising the band Headphones
Headphones (band)
Headphones was an American indie rock-synth band with members David Bazan , Frank Lenz of Starflyer 59, and T. W. Walsh...
. Walsh later left the band for personal reasons after a tour on which he handled drum duties. Peterson filled in on drums for the remaining Headphones live shows. The band released one self-titled LP and there were no subsequent plans from Bazan to continue recording under the Headphones moniker.
Bazan was part of The Undertow Orchestra
The Undertow Orchestra
The Undertow Orchestra was an indie rock "supergroup" organized by Bob Andrews of Undertow Music Collective. The band existed only as a touring ensemble and consisted of "four of today’s most under the radar, yet prolific singer-songwriters," David Bazan , Mark Eitzel , Will Johnson , and Vic...
with Mark Eitzel
Mark Eitzel
Mark Eitzel is a musician, best known as a songwriter and lead singer of the San Francisco band American Music Club.-History:Eitzel spent his formative years in a military family living in Okinawa, Taiwan, Ohio and the United Kingdom. He moved to America in 1979.He started making music while he was...
(American Music Club
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
), Will Johnson
Will Johnson (musician)
Will Johnson is the leader of Texas indie rock band Centro-matic. He also fronts South San Gabriel and releases albums and tours as a solo artist. He was also a founding member of the Undertow Orchestra and Baboon and joined Monsters of Folk in 2010....
(Centro-matic
Centro-Matic
Centro-Matic is an alternative country band based in Denton, Texas. It started in 1995 as a side-project for Will Johnson. It released a few singles that year and grew into a full-fledged group in 1997. The initial 60 songs recorded in a Millstadt, Illinois studio supplied the material for the...
, South San Gabriel
South San Gabriel (band)
South San Gabriel is an alternative country band based in Denton, Texas.The band is named after the San Gabriel river fork north of Austin, Texas. The group consists of the same players from Centro-matic with the inclusion of guests, but focuses on more introspective and subdued offerings from...
), Vic Chesnutt
Vic Chesnutt
James Victor "Vic" Chesnutt was an American singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia. His first album, Little, was released in 1990, but his breakthrough to commercial success didn't come until 1996 with the release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a tribute album of mainstream artists...
, and Scott Danbom (Centro-matic, South San Gabriel). They toured the USA and Europe in 2006.
Bazan is a personal friend of comedian Horatio Sanz
Horatio Sanz
Horatio Sanz is a Chilean-born American actor and comedian best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1998-2006. Sanz most recently starred alongside his former SNL castmate Chris Parnell in the Comedy Central series Big Lake.-Early life:Sanz, the youngest of three sons, was born in...
, and performed at Sanz's 2006 Christmas show, The Ho-Ho-Horatio Christmas Special, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre or UCB Theatre is an improvisational theatre and associated UCB Training Center with locations in Chelsea, New York, the EEast Village, New York and Hollywood, California.....
in New York City. In 2007 he did a Take-Away Show acoustic video session.
Bazan has also been involved with musical acts Scientific and The Soft Drugs
The Soft Drugs
The Soft Drugs is an American indie rock band fronted by ex-Pedro the Lion member T.W. Walsh, featuring percussionist Jason Cammarata, bass player Ken Maiuri, guitar player Mike Murray and guitar and keyboard player John Beck of Emergency Music....
.
Solo projects
Bazan recorded his first solo project, the EP Fewer Moving PartsFewer Moving Parts
Fewer Moving Parts is David Bazan's debut EP, released in limited quantities on June 13, 2006. It was re-released on 22 May 2007 on Barsuk Records.The EP was considered a stopgap release to tide fans over until his full-length solo debut...
, in between touring as a member of The Undertow Orchestra
The Undertow Orchestra
The Undertow Orchestra was an indie rock "supergroup" organized by Bob Andrews of Undertow Music Collective. The band existed only as a touring ensemble and consisted of "four of today’s most under the radar, yet prolific singer-songwriters," David Bazan , Mark Eitzel , Will Johnson , and Vic...
. The EP was released on June 13, 2006. Bazan recently finished a nationwide solo tour featuring Ben Gibbard
Ben Gibbard
Benjamin "Ben" Gibbard is an American musician known as a member of several successful indie rock bands. He is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, and is also known for his project ¡All-Time Quarterback! and his first band, Pinwheel.-Personal life and career:Gibbard was...
of Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
and Johnathan Rice
Johnathan Rice
Johnathan Rice is a Scottish-American singer-songwriter. His first album, Trouble is Real, was released on Reprise Records on April 26, 2005. His follow up, Further North, was released by Reprise on September 11, 2007...
and also contributed a cover of the song "Let Down" to Stereogum
Stereogum
Stereogum was one of the first MP3 blogs. It was created by Scott Lapatine in January 2002 with a focus on independent and alternative music news, downloads, videos, and gossip. Stereogum has received several awards and citations, including the 2008 Plug Award for best music blog, Blender's...
's OK X project, a tribute to the Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
album OK Computer
OK Computer
OK Computer is the third studio album by the English alternative rock band Radiohead, released on 16 June 1997 on Parlophone in the UK and 1 July 1997 by Capitol Records in the US. It marks a deliberate attempt by the band to move away from the introspective guitar-oriented sound of their previous...
.
In September 2008, in an interview with 89.3 The Current , Bazan mentioned that his next album would be played entirely by him and that he would recruit friends to play live when he tours. The album, Curse Your Branches, includes "Please, Baby, Please," a song he debuted during the interview. During his solo tour in September 2008, Bazan debuted six other songs that were on the short list for Curse Your Branches: "Weeds in the Wheat", "Curse Your Branches", "Broken Arm", "In Stitches," and "Harmless Sparks."
Bazan released his first DVD the following month. The DVD contains interviews and intimate live performances filmed in his home studio, on his front porch, and while driving around in his Ford Bronco
Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco is a sport utility vehicle that was produced from 1966 to 1996, with five distinct generations. Broncos can be divided into two categories: early Broncos and full-size Broncos ....
. It was shot during two weekends in June and July 2008 in Seattle. The DVD, entitled Bazan: Alone at the Microphone, was released October 21, 2008.
In October 2008, Bazan released the album version of "American Flags" on his Facebook and Myspace pages to coincide with the 2008 United State presidential election. The track was made available for purchase on iTunes and other online vendors in November, along with the version of "Please, Baby, Please" recorded for the DVD.
Beginning in March 2009, Bazan played a series of small, acoustic house shows. The smaller shows allowed him to debut new material and generate income, while still maintaining a low profile per the request of his record label.
Bazan's full length debut album, Curse Your Branches, was released on September 1, 2009 on Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington, started and still managed by the members of the band This Busy Monster, Christopher Possanza and Josh Rosenfeld, who created the label in 1994 to release their band's material. Its logo is a drawing of a dog holding a...
.
On November 1, 2010, Bazan announced his second full length solo album entitled Strange Negotiations
Strange Negotiations
Strange Negotiations is David Bazan's second full length studio album. It was released on May 24, 2011. The recording of the album began in early November 2010, and was funded by allowing fans to purchase a pre-order of the album along with an exclusive T-shirt priced to allow sufficient money for...
. It was released May 24, 2011 as announced.
Albums
- Curse Your BranchesCurse Your BranchesCurse Your Branches is the first full-length album by David Bazan, the former lead singer of the indie rock band Pedro the Lion. It was released on September 1, 2009, on Barsuk Records...
(September 1, 2009) - Strange NegotiationsStrange NegotiationsStrange Negotiations is David Bazan's second full length studio album. It was released on May 24, 2011. The recording of the album began in early November 2010, and was funded by allowing fans to purchase a pre-order of the album along with an exclusive T-shirt priced to allow sufficient money for...
(May 24, 2011)
EPs
- 7 song demo (1994)
- Fewer Moving PartsFewer Moving PartsFewer Moving Parts is David Bazan's debut EP, released in limited quantities on June 13, 2006. It was re-released on 22 May 2007 on Barsuk Records.The EP was considered a stopgap release to tide fans over until his full-length solo debut...
(June 13, 2006) - Live at Electrical Audio (March 15, 2010)
Singles
- The Poison Makes, split single b/w Walk Slow by Casey Foubert (January 2003, Bedside Recordings)
- 500 numbered on black vinyl on Ben Gibbard's short lived label
- Away in a Manger (October 25, 2006, Suicide SqueezeSuicide squeezeSuicide squeeze may refer to:* Squeeze play , a play in baseball in which the runner on third starts for home immediately while the batter attempts a bunt.* Suicide Squeeze Records, a record label....
)
- B-Side: O Little Town Of Bethlehem
- 1,000 printed on marbled vinyl
- Jingle Bells (November 4, 2008, Suicide SqueezeSuicide squeezeSuicide squeeze may refer to:* Squeeze play , a play in baseball in which the runner on third starts for home immediately while the batter attempts a bunt.* Suicide Squeeze Records, a record label....
)
- B-side: All I Want for Christmas
- 200 printed on white vinyl
- 400 printed on red vinyl
- 400 printed on green vinyl
- American Flags 7" Single
- B-side: Please Baby Please
- The Man in MeThe Man in Me"The Man in Me" is a song from Bob Dylan's 1970 album New Morning.It is featured in the soundtrack to the 1998 Coen Brothers film The Big Lebowski. It plays during the stylized opening title sequence and during the hallucination sequence after the Dude is punched and his rug stolen...
(September 1, 2009, Barsuk RecordsBarsuk RecordsBarsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington, started and still managed by the members of the band This Busy Monster, Christopher Possanza and Josh Rosenfeld, who created the label in 1994 to release their band's material. Its logo is a drawing of a dog holding a...
)
- B-side: Hallelujah
- Happy Xmas (War Is Over)Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"Happy Xmas " is a song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono and released in 1971 as a single by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir....
(October 6, 2009, Suicide SqueezeSuicide squeezeSuicide squeeze may refer to:* Squeeze play , a play in baseball in which the runner on third starts for home immediately while the batter attempts a bunt.* Suicide Squeeze Records, a record label....
)
- B-side: Say It Isn't Greensleeves (A Change At Christmas)
- 200 printed on blue vinyl
- 400 printed on golden vinyl
- 400 printed on clear vinyl
- Wish My Kids Were Here (November 9, 2010, Suicide SqueezeSuicide squeezeSuicide squeeze may refer to:* Squeeze play , a play in baseball in which the runner on third starts for home immediately while the batter attempts a bunt.* Suicide Squeeze Records, a record label....
)
- B-Side: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
- 200 printed on orange vinyl
- 400 printed on red vinyl
- 400 printed on yellow vinyl
Compilation appearances
- Hard Times - Bifrost ArtsBifrost ArtsBifrost Arts is an ecumenical religious organization closely linked to the Presbyterian Church in America that produces written and recorded religious music, and frequently performs at Christian Universities and conferences....
' Come O Spirit (Sounds Familyre 2009)
See also: Pedro the Lion discography, Headphones discography
External links
- Official website
- The Passion of David Bazan (Chicago Reader)
- David Bazan wrestles with tough questions on his solo debutRiverfront TimesRiverfront TimesThe Riverfront Times is a weekly newspaper in St. Louis, Missouri that consists of local politics, music, arts and dining news in the print edition and daily updates to blogs and photo galleries on its website...
- David Bazan Interview on The Nick and Josh Podcast