Ida (band)
Encyclopedia
Ida is an indie rock band from New York City. They are known for their three part harmonies, sparse, minimal, often quiet arrangements, and for their three singer-songwriters. Their music shows strong folk, pop, punk, world, R&B, and American roots music influences, but there are also avant garde and experimental aspects to their sound.
started recording and performing as a duo. After playing shows with double-bassist Rick Lassiter they recorded a 4-track cassette of their songs. Jenny Toomey
, co-owner of Simple Machines Records heard it, and offered to release an album on her label. Between 1994 and 1997 Ida released three full length albums and several seven inch singles with Simple Machines Records including split singles with The Secret Stars and Portastatic
. Shortly after the release of their debut Tales of Brave Ida, Daniel’s brother Michael “Miggy” Littleton joined the band as a drummer and multi-instrumentalist. Their second album, 1996’s I Know About You
received much critical acclaim from the independent music press. CMJ praised it as “subtle, gentle and picturesque”, Alternative Press gave it five stars, their highest rating, Pitchfork
wrote “…Incredible Stuff”. Bassist and singer-songwriter Karla Schickele
(Beekeeper) joined the band in late 1996.
Ida's touring earned them a devoted following of listeners, and the attention of both the press and major labels. Their performances with violinist Ida Pearle, cellist Elaine Ahn, and clarinetist Sue Havens gave them a distinct and complex “chamber pop” sound. They released two EPs in 1998, Losing True, and The Ida Retsin Family, before signing with Capitol Records
. After a shake up at Capitol Records, Ida successfully got out of their contract and released 1999’s Will You Find Me
with Tigerstyle Records, an independent label. Will You Find Me received greater recognition than any previous Ida record and landed on year end “Best of..” lists in both Spin Magazine and The New York Times
while receiving praise from The New Yorker
and The Village Voice
.
In 2005 Ida released Heart Like a River
with Polyvinyl Record Co.
, their current record label. Violinist Jean Cook (Jon Langford
, The Mekons) joined the band at this time, followed by drummer Ruth Keating. The band relocated to Woodstock, NY and began recording at Levon Helm Studios, where they collaborated with Levon Helm
and played several Midnight Rambles. This led to the release of Lovers Prayers
in 2008, and 2009’s My Fair, My Dark
EP. Recorded simultaneously with Lovers Prayers, a collaboration with outsider folk legend Michael Hurley led to 2009’s Ida Con Snock which was released on Gnomonsong
, Devendra Banhart
and Andy Cabic
’s label.
Ida’s music has appeared on both the radio show and the Showtime series of This American Life
. In 2008 they were featured on NPR’s Bryant Park Project
. They have toured, collaborated, or played shows with many bands and artists such as Low
, His Name Is Alive
, Levon Helm
, Michael Hurley, Tara Jane O'Neil, Bernie Worrell
, The Rachels, Karate
, Retsin
, Beekeeper
, Mates of State
, Elliott Smith, Bob Mould
, Cat Power
, Death Cab for Cutie
, The Magnetic Fields
, The Secret Stars, The Holmes Brothers
, Broadcast
, Mark Eitzel
, Steve Malkmus and many others.
, and along with Jenny Toomey
, was a member of Liquorice, whose album “Listening Cap” was released by 4AD
in 1995. He has released one solo album on Last Affair Records, “Nobody’s Fault But Mine/Down By The Riverside”. A duo album with Tara Jane O'Neil
, “Music For A Meteor Shower” was released by Tiger Style
in 2002. In 2006 “New Salt” was released, a CD of guitar-based free improvisation by a trio including Geoff Farina (Karate
, Glorytellers), Littleton, and drummer Luther Gray (Ida, Tsunami
, Joe Morris
, Joe McPhee
). In 2010 the trio added saxophonist Jim Hobbs, and released “West” on the Clean Feed
label under the name of Lawnmower. Mountain Ocean Sun, a “free drone” music collective also released a CD on Home Normal in 2010 called “Peace Conference”. This recording featured Littleton, Jean Cook, Warn Defever
(of His Name Is Alive
), and Hitoko Sakei. Littleton has also appeared on recordings by His Name Is Alive
, Ted Leo
, and Tara Jane O'Neil
. He accompanied Lester Chambers
of The Chambers Brothers
at the first Future of Music
Conference in Washington DC in 2001. Littleton’s music has been featured in the films of Angel Velasco Shaw, notably “Umbilical Cord” which was shown at The Guggenheim, and 2008’s “The Momentary Enemy”.
Elizabeth Mitchell is a children’s music artist who records for Smithsonian Folkways
. Her album “You Are My Little Bird
” was a critical success and led to her being featured on NPR’s All Things Considered
, where she was interviewed by Melissa Block
. She also runs and owns Little Bird Records, which keeps her early independent children’s music recordings in print. She has been featured on NPR’s Face The Nation
, The Bryant Park Project, and in Time Magazine
. Elizabeth Mitchell’s main collaborators are Daniel Littleton (her husband) and Warn Defever. She also performs with her daughter Storey Littleton and with violinist Jean Cook. She has collaborated with Levon Helm
, John Sebastian
, Jon Langford
, Suni Paz, Ella Jenkins
, Lisa Loeb
, Dan Zanes
, Amy Helm, and The Children of Agape Choir from South Africa. Her new album “Sunny Day” will be released in October 2010.
Mitchell has also appeared as a vocalist and instrumentalist on recordings by His Name Is Alive
, Retsin
, Tara Jane O’Neil, Sasha Frere-Jones
with Tom Ze
, The Sands, Ted Leo
, and Saturday Looks Good To Me
.
Mitchell and Littleton backed Lisa Loeb on her song “Stay (I Missed You)
” which was a number-one hit
in 1994 and appeared on the soundtrack for the film Reality Bites
.
Mitchell and Littleton have performed and recorded under the name Nanang Tatang, an electro-pop duo. They released one album, “Muki” on TigerStyle records in 2003.
Michael Littleton left the band in 1999 and played with Tara Jane O'Neil
, The Mad Scene
, and Lois Maffeo
before became a founding member of New York City bands White Magic
and Blood on the Wall
. White Magic’s debut album “Through The Sun Door” was released on Drag City
, and Blood on the Wall
released three full-length albums, “Blood on the Wall
”, “Awesomer
”, and “Liferz
”, all on The Social Registry
label.
Karla Schickele was a founding member of the band Beekeeper from New York City, along with her brother, guitarist and composer Matthew Schickele, and drummer Jan Kotik
. They released the album “Ostrich” on Southern Records
in 1999. Karla also records under the name K. and has released two albums “New Problems” and “Goldfish”, both on TigerStyle Records. K. also released a split single with Ted Leo and The Pharmacists
. She played keyboards with the band Low
when they toured Europe with Radiohead
in 2004. Schickele is the founder of Brooklyn’s Willie Mae Rock and Roll Camp for Girls
. She is the daughter of American classical music composer Peter Schickele
.
Violinist Ida Pearle has performed and recorded with The Magnetic Fields
, appearing on their “69 Love Songs
” album. She has also played with Ted Leo and The Pharmacists
, and appears on the “Hearts Of Oak
” album. She has recorded and performed with Low
, His Name Is Alive
, and many others. She designed the art for many albums by artists like Ida, Ruby Falls
, Ted Leo
, and Elizabeth Mitchell
, as well as the book cover art for "The Latest Winter" by poet Maggie Nelson
. Ida Pearle is a children's book author and illustrator.
Jean Cook, violinist for Ida, also performs with Jon Langford
, The Mekons, Elizabeth Mitchell
, His Name Is Alive
, and Mountain Ocean Sun. She is a founding member of Anti-Social Music
and has performed with improvisers such as Cecil Taylor
, Anthony Braxton
, Evan Parker
and indie rock bands like Belle And Sebastian and The Hold Steady
. Since 2008 she has been the director of Future of Music Coalition
.
Ruth Keating drummer and multi instrumentalist, along with Karla Schickele, is a founding member of The Willie Mae Rock and Roll Camp For Girls. Along with guitarist and frequent Ida collaborator Matt Sutton, she plays in NYC’s Malarkies and The Naysayer.
History
The band began in 1991 when Daniel Littleton and Elizabeth MitchellElizabeth Mitchell (musician)
Elizabeth Mitchell, a Smithsonian Folkways Recording artist, has been recording and performing music for children since 1998. Elizabeth was the first new children's music artist signed to Smithsonian Folkways Recordings in the 21st century...
started recording and performing as a duo. After playing shows with double-bassist Rick Lassiter they recorded a 4-track cassette of their songs. Jenny Toomey
Jenny Toomey
Jenny Toomey is an American indie rock musician and arts activist from Chevy Chase, Maryland, and later, Washington, D.C. She was a member of the bands Geek, Tsunami, Liquorice, Grenadine, So Low and Choke, among others, and has also recorded under her own name...
, co-owner of Simple Machines Records heard it, and offered to release an album on her label. Between 1994 and 1997 Ida released three full length albums and several seven inch singles with Simple Machines Records including split singles with The Secret Stars and Portastatic
Portastatic
Portastatic is an American indie rock band founded in the early 1990s by Mac McCaughan. Portastatic began as a solo project for McCaughan, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Superchunk...
. Shortly after the release of their debut Tales of Brave Ida, Daniel’s brother Michael “Miggy” Littleton joined the band as a drummer and multi-instrumentalist. Their second album, 1996’s I Know About You
I Know About You
"Subtle, gentle and picturesque...consistently memorable" – CMJ New Music Report"[G]entle, understated but fully inhabited" – Trouser Press"[S]parse and beautifully produced" – Roll Magazine...
received much critical acclaim from the independent music press. CMJ praised it as “subtle, gentle and picturesque”, Alternative Press gave it five stars, their highest rating, Pitchfork
Pitchfork
A pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and long, thin, widely separated pointed tines used to lift and pitch loose material, such as hay, leaves, grapes, dung or other agricultural materials. Pitchforks typically have two or three tines...
wrote “…Incredible Stuff”. Bassist and singer-songwriter Karla Schickele
(Beekeeper) joined the band in late 1996.
Ida's touring earned them a devoted following of listeners, and the attention of both the press and major labels. Their performances with violinist Ida Pearle, cellist Elaine Ahn, and clarinetist Sue Havens gave them a distinct and complex “chamber pop” sound. They released two EPs in 1998, Losing True, and The Ida Retsin Family, before signing with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. After a shake up at Capitol Records, Ida successfully got out of their contract and released 1999’s Will You Find Me
Will You Find Me
Will You Find Me was reviewed as "Album of the Week" in The New York Times, where Jon Pareles described the songs as being "like the whispers of uncertain lovers in a perpetual dance of vulnerability and assurance, parting and reconciliation." According to Eric Weisbard "they've inflated...
with Tigerstyle Records, an independent label. Will You Find Me received greater recognition than any previous Ida record and landed on year end “Best of..” lists in both Spin Magazine and The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
while receiving praise from The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
and The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
.
In 2005 Ida released Heart Like a River
Heart Like a River
Critical reception for Heart Like a River varied from mildly favorable to very favorable, but all agreed that it was of a piece with their previous work...
with Polyvinyl Record Co.
Polyvinyl Record Co.
Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
, their current record label. Violinist Jean Cook (Jon Langford
Jon Langford
Jon Langford born October 11, 1957, Newport, Monmouthshire is a Welsh-born musician and artist who is presently based in Chicago. He is the younger brother of science-fiction author and critic David Langford...
, The Mekons) joined the band at this time, followed by drummer Ruth Keating. The band relocated to Woodstock, NY and began recording at Levon Helm Studios, where they collaborated with Levon Helm
Levon Helm
Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm , is an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor who achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for The Band....
and played several Midnight Rambles. This led to the release of Lovers Prayers
Lovers Prayers
-Personnel:* Elizabeth Mitchell - Vocals* Daniel Littleton - Vocals* Geoff Farina - Guitar* Ruth Keating - Drums* Jean Cook - Violin...
in 2008, and 2009’s My Fair, My Dark
My Fair, My Dark
My Fair, My Dark is Ida's second EP, released in 2008 on Polyvinyl Records. It features two original songs, a live version of "Late Blues" , and four covers. Guest musicians include The Band's Levon Helm, Peter Schickele, Michael Hurley, and Tara Jane O'Neil...
EP. Recorded simultaneously with Lovers Prayers, a collaboration with outsider folk legend Michael Hurley led to 2009’s Ida Con Snock which was released on Gnomonsong
Gnomonsong
Gnomonsong is a record label formed by Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic in partnership with Revolver USA. Banhart and Cabic do not deal with the business aspect of the label as much as work with the artists....
, Devendra Banhart
Devendra Banhart
Devendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
and Andy Cabic
Andy Cabic
Andy Cabic is a folk rock singer-songwriter, and lead member of the band Vetiver.He was born in Virginia and attended school at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where he played in a band called The Raymond Brake...
’s label.
Ida’s music has appeared on both the radio show and the Showtime series of This American Life
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
. In 2008 they were featured on NPR’s Bryant Park Project
Bryant Park Project
The Bryant Park Project was a short-lived morning radio newsmagazine from National Public Radio. The show's name was derived from Bryant Park in New York City, which NPR's New York studios overlook. While the Bryant Park Project was originally a working title, the show debuted with the name...
. They have toured, collaborated, or played shows with many bands and artists such as Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
, His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
, Levon Helm
Levon Helm
Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm , is an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor who achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for The Band....
, Michael Hurley, Tara Jane O'Neil, Bernie Worrell
Bernie Worrell
George Bernard "Bernie" Worrell, Jr. is an American keyboardist and composer best known as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic and for his work with Talking Heads. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic...
, The Rachels, Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Retsin
Retsin
Retsin was an American indie rock band founded by Tara Jane O'Neil and Cynthia Nelson.-History:Retsin was founded in 1993 by O'Neil, who had played with Rodan, and Nelson, a member of Ruby Falls...
, Beekeeper
Beekeeper (band)
beekeeper is a Canadian indie rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Their debut album, BE KEPT, was released independently on September 15, 2010. It was recorded and mixed by Colin Stewart at The Hive Creative Labs...
, Mates of State
Mates of State
Mates of State are an American indie pop duo, active since 1997. The group is composed of the husband-and-wife team of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel .Over the course of the band's fourteen year career, they've released three EPs and six full-length, studio...
, Elliott Smith, Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Robert Arthur "Bob" Mould is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s.-Early life:...
, Cat Power
Cat Power
Charlyn Marie Marshall , also known as Chan Marshall or by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer/songwriter and occasional actress and model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall's first band, but has come to refer to her musical projects with various backing bands...
, 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 ....
, The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields is the principal creative outlet of singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt...
, The Secret Stars, The Holmes Brothers
The Holmes Brothers
The Holmes Brothers are a vocal and instrumental trio originally from Christchurch, Virginia. Mixing sounds from blues, soul, gospel, and rhythm & blues, they have released nine original albums, with two reaching the top 5 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. They have gained a following by playing...
, Broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
, 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...
, Steve Malkmus and many others.
Band members
Daniel Littleton was a member of Annapolis, Maryland hardcore punk band The HatedThe Hated
The Hated was an Annapolis, Maryland punk rock band from 1985 to 1990. The original members were Mike Bonner, Erik Fisher, Daniel Littleton, and Colin Meeder...
, and along with Jenny Toomey
Jenny Toomey
Jenny Toomey is an American indie rock musician and arts activist from Chevy Chase, Maryland, and later, Washington, D.C. She was a member of the bands Geek, Tsunami, Liquorice, Grenadine, So Low and Choke, among others, and has also recorded under her own name...
, was a member of Liquorice, whose album “Listening Cap” was released by 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
in 1995. He has released one solo album on Last Affair Records, “Nobody’s Fault But Mine/Down By The Riverside”. A duo album with Tara Jane O'Neil
Tara Jane O'Neil
Tara Jane O'Neil is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, audio recording engineer, and visual artist based out of Portland, Oregon.-Biography:...
, “Music For A Meteor Shower” was released by Tiger Style
Tiger Style Records
Tiger Style Records is an independent record label located in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by Insound. As of 2004, it is on hiatus.- Artists who have worked with Tiger Style :*764-HERO*The Album Leaf*American Analog Set...
in 2002. In 2006 “New Salt” was released, a CD of guitar-based free improvisation by a trio including Geoff Farina (Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Glorytellers), Littleton, and drummer Luther Gray (Ida, Tsunami
Tsunami (band)
Tsunami was an American indie rock band from Arlington, Virginia, formed by housemates Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson in late 1990 to play at New Year's party...
, Joe Morris
Joe Morris (guitarist)
Joe Morris is an American jazz guitarist. In addition to leading his own groups, he has recorded with William Parker, Whit Dickey, Rob Brown, Joe Maneri and others...
, Joe McPhee
Joe McPhee
Joe McPhee is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist born in Miami, Florida, a player of tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, the trumpet, flugelhorn and valve trombone...
). In 2010 the trio added saxophonist Jim Hobbs, and released “West” on the Clean Feed
Clean Feed Records
Clean Feed Records is a jazz record label. The company was founded in 2001 in Lisbon, Portugal. , the label has issued more than 200 albums and one DVD. Its roster of artists includes Ken Vandermark, Dennis González, Scott Fields, Mark Dresser, Tim Berne, Charles Gayle, Peter Evans, Tony Malaby,...
label under the name of Lawnmower. Mountain Ocean Sun, a “free drone” music collective also released a CD on Home Normal in 2010 called “Peace Conference”. This recording featured Littleton, Jean Cook, Warn Defever
Warren Defever
Warren Defever is a musician and producer from Livonia, Michigan. He is most known for his chameleonic project His Name Is Alive, though he is active in numerous other circles...
(of His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
), and Hitoko Sakei. Littleton has also appeared on recordings by His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
, Ted Leo
Ted Leo
Theodore F. Leo , called "Ted," as a short form of "Theodore," is an American punk rock/indie rock songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, though he is most known for his singing and guitar playing...
, and Tara Jane O'Neil
Tara Jane O'Neil
Tara Jane O'Neil is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, audio recording engineer, and visual artist based out of Portland, Oregon.-Biography:...
. He accompanied Lester Chambers
Lester Chambers
Lester Chambers is an American recording artist, and former member and lead singer of the 1960s soul rock group The Chambers Brothers, who had the hit single, "Time Has Come Today." He sang lead on the Chambers Brothers songs "All Strung Out Over You," "People Get Ready," "Uptown," "I Can't Turn...
of The Chambers Brothers
The Chambers Brothers
The Chambers Brothers is a soul-music group, best known for its 1968 hit record, the 11-minute long song "Time Has Come Today". The group was part of the wave of new music that integrated American blues and gospel traditions with modern psychedelic and rock elements, spawning a heady mix...
at the first Future of Music
Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition is a U.S. 501 national non-profit organization specializing in education, research and advocacy for musicians with a focus on issues at the intersection of music technology, policy and law.- Background :...
Conference in Washington DC in 2001. Littleton’s music has been featured in the films of Angel Velasco Shaw, notably “Umbilical Cord” which was shown at The Guggenheim, and 2008’s “The Momentary Enemy”.
Elizabeth Mitchell is a children’s music artist who records for Smithsonian Folkways
Smithsonian Folkways
Smithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. It is a part of the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, located at Capital Gallery in downtown Washington, D.C. The label was founded in 1987 after the family of Moses Asch, founder of Folkways...
. Her album “You Are My Little Bird
You Are My Little Bird
You Are My Little Bird is an album by Elizabeth Mitchell, released in 2006 by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. The album is a collection of children's music played in a folk music style...
” was a critical success and led to her being featured on NPR’s All Things Considered
All Things Considered
All Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
, where she was interviewed by Melissa Block
Melissa Block
Melissa Block is an American radio host. She is one of the hosts of NPR's All Things Considered news program.-Biography:Block was recording an interview in Chengdu, China when the area was struck by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. Her coverage of the earthquake earned NPR a George Foster Peabody...
. She also runs and owns Little Bird Records, which keeps her early independent children’s music recordings in print. She has been featured on NPR’s Face The Nation
Face the Nation
Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer is an American Sunday-morning political interview show which premiered on the CBS television network on November 7, 1954. It is one of the longest-running news programs in the history of television...
, The Bryant Park Project, and in Time Magazine
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
. Elizabeth Mitchell’s main collaborators are Daniel Littleton (her husband) and Warn Defever. She also performs with her daughter Storey Littleton and with violinist Jean Cook. She has collaborated with Levon Helm
Levon Helm
Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm , is an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor who achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for The Band....
, John Sebastian
John Sebastian
John Benson Sebastian Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and autoharpist. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000...
, Jon Langford
Jon Langford
Jon Langford born October 11, 1957, Newport, Monmouthshire is a Welsh-born musician and artist who is presently based in Chicago. He is the younger brother of science-fiction author and critic David Langford...
, Suni Paz, Ella Jenkins
Ella Jenkins
Ella Jenkins is an American folk singer. Dubbed “The First Lady of the Children’s Folk Song” by the Wisconsin State Journal, Jenkins has been a leading performer of children’s music for fifty years.-Family and personal life:...
, Lisa Loeb
Lisa Loeb
Lisa Anne Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay ". She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract.Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over...
, Dan Zanes
Dan Zanes
Dan Zanes was a member of the popular 1980s band The Del Fuegos and is currently the front man of the Grammy-winning group Dan Zanes and Friends.-History:...
, Amy Helm, and The Children of Agape Choir from South Africa. Her new album “Sunny Day” will be released in October 2010.
Mitchell has also appeared as a vocalist and instrumentalist on recordings by His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
, Retsin
Retsin
Retsin was an American indie rock band founded by Tara Jane O'Neil and Cynthia Nelson.-History:Retsin was founded in 1993 by O'Neil, who had played with Rodan, and Nelson, a member of Ruby Falls...
, Tara Jane O’Neil, Sasha Frere-Jones
Sasha Frere-Jones
Sasha Frere-Jones is an American writer, music critic, and musician. He has written for Pretty Decorating, ego trip, Hit It And Quit It, Mean, Slant, The New York Post, The Wire, The Village Voice, Slate, Spin, and The New York Times...
with Tom Ze
Tom Zé
Tom Zé is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer who was influential in the Tropicália movement of 1960s Brazil. After the peak of the Tropicália period, Zé went into relative obscurity: it was only in the 1990s, when the musician and label head David Byrne discovered an album recorded...
, The Sands, Ted Leo
Ted Leo
Theodore F. Leo , called "Ted," as a short form of "Theodore," is an American punk rock/indie rock songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, though he is most known for his singing and guitar playing...
, and Saturday Looks Good To Me
Saturday Looks Good to Me
Saturday Looks Good to Me was an experimental indie pop band. The group was led by singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Fred Thomas...
.
Mitchell and Littleton backed Lisa Loeb on her song “Stay (I Missed You)
Stay (I Missed You)
"Stay " is a song and debut single by American singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb, which became her breakthrough song in 1994. It was included on the Reality Bites soundtrack, as well as her debut album, Tails....
” which was a number-one hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
in 1994 and appeared on the soundtrack for the film Reality Bites
Reality Bites
Reality Bites is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film written by Helen Childress and featuring the directorial debut of Ben Stiller. It stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Stiller, with major supporting roles played by Janeane Garofalo and Steve Zahn. The film was shot on location in Austin...
.
Mitchell and Littleton have performed and recorded under the name Nanang Tatang, an electro-pop duo. They released one album, “Muki” on TigerStyle records in 2003.
Michael Littleton left the band in 1999 and played with Tara Jane O'Neil
Tara Jane O'Neil
Tara Jane O'Neil is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, audio recording engineer, and visual artist based out of Portland, Oregon.-Biography:...
, The Mad Scene
The Mad Scene
The Mad Scene is a musical group based in New York City. Core members are guitarist Hamish Kilgour , and guitarist/bassist Lisa Siegel.-Career:The band was founded in 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand...
, and Lois Maffeo
Lois Maffeo
Courtney Love is an American musician and writer who lives in Olympia, Washington. Although never achieving mainstream success, she has been closely involved with and influenced many independent musicians, especially in the 90s Olympia, Seattle and DC based musician.-as Lois Maffeo:albums*The...
before became a founding member of New York City bands White Magic
White Magic (band)
White Magic is a psychedelic folk rock group based in Brooklyn, N.Y., led by singer/guitarist/pianist Mira Billotte.-History:White Magic's original lineup was Mira Billotte on vocals and piano, drummer/bassist Miggy Littleton and guitarist/drummer Andy Macleod...
and Blood on the Wall
Blood On The Wall
Blood on the Wall is a lo-fi, Brooklyn-based indie rock band, influenced by bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Pavement, Pixies, and Sonic Youth. Band members include siblings Courtney and Brad Shanks and drummer Miggy Littleton...
. White Magic’s debut album “Through The Sun Door” was released on Drag City
Drag City (record label)
Drag City is a Chicago-based independent record label. It was established with a Royal Trux release in 1990 in Chicago, Illinois by Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn.Drag City specializes in experimental indie rock acts...
, and Blood on the Wall
Blood On The Wall
Blood on the Wall is a lo-fi, Brooklyn-based indie rock band, influenced by bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Pavement, Pixies, and Sonic Youth. Band members include siblings Courtney and Brad Shanks and drummer Miggy Littleton...
released three full-length albums, “Blood on the Wall
Blood on the Wall (album)
Blood on the Wall is the debut 2003 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement.-Track listing:#"Security in Neighborhoods"...
”, “Awesomer
Awesomer
Awesomer is a 2005 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement, and it received much critical acclaim.-Track listing:...
”, and “Liferz
Liferz
Liferz is the 2008 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement.-Track listing:#"Hibernation"#"The Ditch"#"Liferz"...
”, all on The Social Registry
The Social Registry
The Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
label.
Karla Schickele was a founding member of the band Beekeeper from New York City, along with her brother, guitarist and composer Matthew Schickele, and drummer Jan Kotik
Jan Kotík
Jan Jakub Kotík was a Czech artist and rock drummer.- Life :Jan Jakub was the son of composer Petr Kotík and curator of contemporary art Charlotta Kotík, who emigrated to the USA in 1970. Jan was a musician and visual artist...
. They released the album “Ostrich” on Southern Records
Southern Records
Southern Records is an independent record label closely associated with Crass Records, Corpus Christi Records and Dischord Records. It is based in London and previously had offices in Chicago , Le Havre and Berlin .Southern was originally a recording studio owned and operated by John Loder...
in 1999. Karla also records under the name K. and has released two albums “New Problems” and “Goldfish”, both on TigerStyle Records. K. also released a split single with Ted Leo and The Pharmacists
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are an American rock band formed in 1999 in Washington, D.C. and currently recording for Matador Records. They have released six full-length studio albums and have toured internationally...
. She played keyboards with the band Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
when they toured Europe with 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...
in 2004. Schickele is the founder of Brooklyn’s Willie Mae Rock and Roll Camp for Girls
Rock and Roll Camp for Girls
The Rock and Roll Camp for Girls is a non-profit organization based in Portland, Oregon, United States which gives girls ages 8–18 the opportunity to learn rock instruments, form bands, write songs, and perform. The mostly volunteer and female staff strives to inspire self-esteem and mutual support...
. She is the daughter of American classical music composer Peter Schickele
Peter Schickele
Johann Peter Schickele is an American composer, musical educator, and parodist. He is best known for his comedy music albums featuring his music that he presents as music written by the fictional composer P. D. Q...
.
Violinist Ida Pearle has performed and recorded with The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields is the principal creative outlet of singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt...
, appearing on their “69 Love Songs
69 Love Songs
69 Love Songs is a three-volume concept album by The Magnetic Fields released in 1999. As its title indicates, the album is composed of 69 love songs, all written by Magnetic Fields frontman Stephin Merritt.-Conception and live performance:...
” album. She has also played with Ted Leo and The Pharmacists
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are an American rock band formed in 1999 in Washington, D.C. and currently recording for Matador Records. They have released six full-length studio albums and have toured internationally...
, and appears on the “Hearts Of Oak
Hearts of Oak
Hearts of Oak may refer to:*"Hearts of Oak," part of a quotation spoken by Circe to Odysseus after his return from the underworld in the Odyssey*"Heart of Oak," the official march of the Royal Navy...
” album. She has recorded and performed with Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
, His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
, and many others. She designed the art for many albums by artists like Ida, Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls is a 145-foot high underground waterfall located within Lookout Mountain, near Rock City and Chattanooga, Tennessee in the United States.-Geology:The cave which houses Ruby Falls was formed with the formation of Lookout Mountain...
, Ted Leo
Ted Leo
Theodore F. Leo , called "Ted," as a short form of "Theodore," is an American punk rock/indie rock songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, though he is most known for his singing and guitar playing...
, and Elizabeth Mitchell
Elizabeth Mitchell
Elizabeth Mitchell , is an American actress/modelwho is known for her roles as Dr. Juliet Burke on ABC's TV series Lost and as FBI agent Erica Evans on V. She has starred in such films as The Santa Clause 2, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, and Gia.-Early life:Mitchell was born Elizabeth...
, as well as the book cover art for "The Latest Winter" by poet Maggie Nelson
Maggie Nelson
Maggie Nelson is an American poet, art critic, lyric essayist and nonfiction author of books such as Women, the New York School, and Other True Abstractions, The Red Parts: A Memoir, The Art of Cruelty, Something Bright, Then Holes, Jane: A Murder, The Latest Winter, Shiner, and Bluets.Nelson has...
. Ida Pearle is a children's book author and illustrator.
Jean Cook, violinist for Ida, also performs with Jon Langford
Jon Langford
Jon Langford born October 11, 1957, Newport, Monmouthshire is a Welsh-born musician and artist who is presently based in Chicago. He is the younger brother of science-fiction author and critic David Langford...
, The Mekons, Elizabeth Mitchell
Elizabeth Mitchell
Elizabeth Mitchell , is an American actress/modelwho is known for her roles as Dr. Juliet Burke on ABC's TV series Lost and as FBI agent Erica Evans on V. She has starred in such films as The Santa Clause 2, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, and Gia.-Early life:Mitchell was born Elizabeth...
, His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label...
, and Mountain Ocean Sun. She is a founding member of Anti-Social Music
Anti-Social Music
Anti-Social Music is a composer/performer collective founded in New York City in 2001. The group started as a one-off concert organized by Franz Nicolay of world premieres of works by William Brittelle, Jason Freeman, Dan Lasaga, Franz Nicolay, and John Wriggle at Columbia University's Philosophy...
and has performed with improvisers such as Cecil Taylor
Cecil Taylor
Cecil Percival Taylor is an American pianist and poet. Classically trained, Taylor is generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized by an extremely energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds, frequently involving tone clusters and...
, Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist, pianist, and philosopher. Braxton has released well over 100 albums since the 1960s...
, Evan Parker
Evan Parker
Evan Shaw Parker is a British free-improvising saxophone player from the European free jazz scene.Recording and performing prolifically with many collaborators, Parker was a pivotal figure in the development of European free jazz and free improvisation, and has pioneered or substantially expanded...
and indie rock bands like Belle And Sebastian and The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn , Tad Kubler , Galen Polivka , Bobby Drake , and Steve Selvidge...
. Since 2008 she has been the director of Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition is a U.S. 501 national non-profit organization specializing in education, research and advocacy for musicians with a focus on issues at the intersection of music technology, policy and law.- Background :...
.
Ruth Keating drummer and multi instrumentalist, along with Karla Schickele, is a founding member of The Willie Mae Rock and Roll Camp For Girls. Along with guitarist and frequent Ida collaborator Matt Sutton, she plays in NYC’s Malarkies and The Naysayer.
Studio albums
- Tales of Brave Ida (1994)
- I Know About YouI Know About You"Subtle, gentle and picturesque...consistently memorable" – CMJ New Music Report"[G]entle, understated but fully inhabited" – Trouser Press"[S]parse and beautifully produced" – Roll Magazine...
(1996) - Ten Small PacesTen Small Paces-Personnel:* Elizabeth Mitchell - Vocals* Daniel Littleton - Vocals* Geoff Farina - Guitar* Ruth Keating - Drums* Jean Cook - Violin...
(1997) - Will You Find MeWill You Find MeWill You Find Me was reviewed as "Album of the Week" in The New York Times, where Jon Pareles described the songs as being "like the whispers of uncertain lovers in a perpetual dance of vulnerability and assurance, parting and reconciliation." According to Eric Weisbard "they've inflated...
(2000) - The Braille NightThe Braille NightThe Braille Night is the fifth studio album by American indie rock duo Ida, released in 2001 on Tiger Style Records.-Track listing:#"Let's Go Walking" — 3:59#"Ignatia Amara" — 2:44#"Arrowheads" — 3:57#"So Long" — 5:46#"Blizzard of '78" — 7:19...
(2001) - Shhh... (2002)
- Heart Like a RiverHeart Like a RiverCritical reception for Heart Like a River varied from mildly favorable to very favorable, but all agreed that it was of a piece with their previous work...
(2005) - Lovers PrayersLovers Prayers-Personnel:* Elizabeth Mitchell - Vocals* Daniel Littleton - Vocals* Geoff Farina - Guitar* Ruth Keating - Drums* Jean Cook - Violin...
(2008)
Live albums
- Insound Tour Support Series Vol. 11 (2000)
- Angel Hall (2003; recorded in 2000)
- The Bottom of the Hill (2-CD set, 2005)
Singles/EPs
- Losing True (1998), EP
- Shhh (2002), Single
- My Fair, My DarkMy Fair, My DarkMy Fair, My Dark is Ida's second EP, released in 2008 on Polyvinyl Records. It features two original songs, a live version of "Late Blues" , and four covers. Guest musicians include The Band's Levon Helm, Peter Schickele, Michael Hurley, and Tara Jane O'Neil...
(2008), EP
Compilations
- Who Were You Then (2008)
- Tellings: The Simple Machine Years 1994-1997 (2008)
- Tales of Brave Ida (CD accompanying book, 2008)
Compilation appearances
- Random Acts of Radio (Random Records, 1998), "Walk Away Renee"
- This Is Next Year: A Brooklyn-Based CompilationThis Is Next Year: A Brooklyn-Based CompilationThis is Next Year is a compilation album released July 17, 2001 by Arena Rock Recording Co.-Disc 1:#"Radio" – The Walkmen#"I've Got A Fang " – They Might Be Giants#"Wasting In The Sun" – #"Keep Your Feelings To Yourself" – Clem Snide...
(Arena Rock Recording, 2001), "Hearts Don't Break" (Disc 2, Track 7) - In My Living Room (Kimchee Records, 2003), "Losing True"
- Amos House Collection (Vol. II), "Jubilee"