Dirty Martini (band)
Encyclopedia
Dirty Martini is a four piece indie pop
band from Portland, Oregon
. The band was founded by three singer songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Stephanie Schneiderman, Lara Michell and McKinley, who write all the group's songs and share the vocal duties. Dirty Martini uniquely blends folk, rock, Americana, and pop to form an eclectic explosion of beautiful harmonies, sharp song writing, and heartbreaking melancholy. Their latest album, Tea and Revenge, was released in September 2006, and was produced by John Askew (FILMguerrero) and Dave Allen (Gang of Four
). Tea and Revenge was released by Pampelmoose and is the follow-up to their acclaimed self-titled debut album.
as his opening act, one won a place on the Lillith Fair tour, and one was in the band Carmina Pirhana, who composed music for the Oregon Ballet. Their first appearance together was at a Portland Valentine's Day songwriter in the round formatted show. They began road tripping to shows together, performing as separate artists. It wasn't long, though, until they began playing as a three piece band. They all wrote, sang, and played multiple instruments. They kept the theater in the round format until David Allen
, Gang of Four's bass player suggested, "Why don't you stand up and be a proper band already?". Lea Krueger was initially also a member but left to pursue a solo career after recording the band's debut album. The debut album sold around 7,000 copies.
The band cite PJ Harvey
, Aimee Mann
, and Kristin Hersh
as influences.
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
band from Portland, Oregon
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...
. The band was founded by three singer songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Stephanie Schneiderman, Lara Michell and McKinley, who write all the group's songs and share the vocal duties. Dirty Martini uniquely blends folk, rock, Americana, and pop to form an eclectic explosion of beautiful harmonies, sharp song writing, and heartbreaking melancholy. Their latest album, Tea and Revenge, was released in September 2006, and was produced by John Askew (FILMguerrero) and Dave Allen (Gang of Four
Gang of Four (band)
Gang of Four are an English post-punk group from Leeds. Original personnel were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. They were fully active from 1977 to 1984, and then re-emerged twice in the 1990s with King and Gill...
). Tea and Revenge was released by Pampelmoose and is the follow-up to their acclaimed self-titled debut album.
Origins
The band formed during the early 2000s, as the three leading ladies played several shows together. Prior to forming the band, Schneiderman, Michell and McKinley had all had some success; One toured with David CrosbyDavid Crosby
David Van Cortlandt Crosby is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash , and CPR...
as his opening act, one won a place on the Lillith Fair tour, and one was in the band Carmina Pirhana, who composed music for the Oregon Ballet. Their first appearance together was at a Portland Valentine's Day songwriter in the round formatted show. They began road tripping to shows together, performing as separate artists. It wasn't long, though, until they began playing as a three piece band. They all wrote, sang, and played multiple instruments. They kept the theater in the round format until David Allen
Dave Allen (producer/bassist)
Dave Allen was the bass guitarist for the post-punk band, Gang of Four. In 1981, he left Gang of Four to found Shriekback....
, Gang of Four's bass player suggested, "Why don't you stand up and be a proper band already?". Lea Krueger was initially also a member but left to pursue a solo career after recording the band's debut album. The debut album sold around 7,000 copies.
The band cite PJ Harvey
PJ Harvey
Polly Jean Harvey is an English musician, singer-songwriter, composer and occasional artist. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments including piano, organ, bass, saxophone, and most recently, the autoharp.Harvey began her career in...
, Aimee Mann
Aimee Mann
Aimee Mann is an American rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and bassist.-Early life:Aimee Mann grew up in Bon Air, Virginia, graduated from Open High School in 1978 and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out to sing with her first punk rock band, the Young Snakes...
, and Kristin Hersh
Kristin Hersh
Kristin Hersh is an American singer/songwriter who performs solo acoustic concerts; she also continues to perform as lead singer and guitarist for alternative rock group Throwing Muses and the hardcore punk-influenced power trio 50 Foot Wave...
as influences.
Members
- Stephanie Schneiderman (lead singer, multiple instruments)
- Lara Michell (lead singer, multiple instruments)
- McKinley (lead singer, multiple instruments)
- Ned Failing (drums)
Studio albums
| Title | Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty Martini | 8 February 2005 | Pampelmoose |
| Tea and Revenge | 26 September 2006 | Pampelmoose |