Margot and the Nuclear So and So's
Encyclopedia
Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s are a band from Indianapolis
, Indiana
. Their style has been described as "cinematic chamber pop" that "both the casual music fan and music perfectionist will enjoy". The most recent album, "Buzzard", leans more in a rock direction, abandoning many of the orchestral instruments that defined their originating sound.
Andy Fry was in The Academy http://www.musicalfamilytree.com/bands/academy before joining forces with Edwards to form Margot in 2004. He is also an engineer and producer, and a partner in Indianapolis recording studio Queensize. His brother is drummer Chris Fry, also formerly of The Academy. The Academy was previously known as Smart Milk, starting in late 1997 Bloomington, IN. Both are graduates of North Central High School in Indianapolis, and Indiana University, located in Bloomington, IN.http://www.queensizetwinair.com/
Emily Watkins graduated from Valparaiso University
in Valparaiso, Indiana
in May 2005 with a B.A. in English. Tyler Watkins attended Ball State University
and Full Sail Real World Education
. Emily and Tyler, although sharing the same last name, are not related by blood or marriage. Tyler Watkins is the primary producer, with assistance from Fry, of the Margot recordings.
Cellist Jesse Lee and percussionist Casey Tennis have been friends and musical collaborators since childhood growing up in Greencastle, Indiana
. The two, along with Tyler and Andy, also play in the pop-punk band Pravada.
Violin/lap steel player Erik Kang met the band while performing in St. Louis, with his previous band, Tiara (named after Wes Anderson
's niece). He graduated from The Ohio State University, a school to which he later returned to participate in an English class' analysis/video conference with lead singer, Richard Edwards.
, banjo, percussion) and Fry (guitars, bass, synth, lap steel, melodica, banjo, percussion) met in a pet store. From there they struck up a friendship and formed the band. Though the group at one point (Daytrotter Sessions/ Animal!/ Not Animal) employed the talents of eight members, only three of those remain involved in the group.
Margot employs the talents of Kenny Childers (guest vocals), Hubert Glover (trumpet
) and LonPaul Ellrich (various percussion). Originally signed by indie label Standard Recording Company
, based in Indianapolis, Margot re-released their first album, The Dust of Retreat, on New York City
's Artemis Records. Artemis' parent company (Sheridan Square Entertainment) recently purchased V2 Records
North America, an international record label which owns the rights to bands like The White Stripes
, Grandaddy
, Bloc Party
and Moby
.
There were delays in the release of Margot's second full length due to disagreements between the band and Epic records regarding the song selection of the album. Animal! is Margot's preferred version of their second full-length, while Not Animal is Epic's. Five songs appear on both releases (there are 12 tracks on each album). On their Myspace page, the band has said they would like fans to listen to Animal first.
The band was the featured musical guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
in November 2008.
Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s released their third album, Buzzard, on September 21, 2010 via Mariel Recordings, their own label with distribution through Redeye. The album features many Chicago musicians and friends of the band, including Tim Rutili (Califone, Red Red Meat, Califone), Joe Adamik, Cameron McGill, Katie Todd, Brian Deck (Red Red Meat, producer) and Ronnie Kwasman.
Singles & EPs
Former
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. Their style has been described as "cinematic chamber pop" that "both the casual music fan and music perfectionist will enjoy". The most recent album, "Buzzard", leans more in a rock direction, abandoning many of the orchestral instruments that defined their originating sound.
Origin
Richard Edwards was in a band during his college years called Archer Avenue (named after the street where the characters in The Royal Tenenbaums lived). The band self-released the album I Was An Astronaut in 2004. Before Archer Avenue, Edwards fronted the band Joey Hamilton.Andy Fry was in The Academy http://www.musicalfamilytree.com/bands/academy before joining forces with Edwards to form Margot in 2004. He is also an engineer and producer, and a partner in Indianapolis recording studio Queensize. His brother is drummer Chris Fry, also formerly of The Academy. The Academy was previously known as Smart Milk, starting in late 1997 Bloomington, IN. Both are graduates of North Central High School in Indianapolis, and Indiana University, located in Bloomington, IN.http://www.queensizetwinair.com/
Emily Watkins graduated from Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
in Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
in May 2005 with a B.A. in English. Tyler Watkins attended Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
and Full Sail Real World Education
Full Sail Real World Education
Full Sail University is a for profit trade school located in Winter Park, Florida, and founded in 1979 in Dayton, Ohio, as Full Sail Recording Workshop. Full Sail relocated to Florida in 1980, adding video production and film production courses and, with the move in 1989 to its current campus,...
. Emily and Tyler, although sharing the same last name, are not related by blood or marriage. Tyler Watkins is the primary producer, with assistance from Fry, of the Margot recordings.
Cellist Jesse Lee and percussionist Casey Tennis have been friends and musical collaborators since childhood growing up in Greencastle, Indiana
Greencastle, Indiana
Greencastle is a city in Greencastle Township, Putnam County, Indiana, United States, and the county seat of Putnam County. It was founded in 1821 by Scots-Irish American Ephraim Dukes on a land grant. He named the settlement for his hometown of Greencastle, Pennsylvania...
. The two, along with Tyler and Andy, also play in the pop-punk band Pravada.
Violin/lap steel player Erik Kang met the band while performing in St. Louis, with his previous band, Tiara (named after Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson
Wesley Wales Anderson is an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and producer of features, short films and commercials....
's niece). He graduated from The Ohio State University, a school to which he later returned to participate in an English class' analysis/video conference with lead singer, Richard Edwards.
Band formation
According to their website, Edwards (vocals, guitars, bells, synth, melodicaMelodica
The melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
, banjo, percussion) and Fry (guitars, bass, synth, lap steel, melodica, banjo, percussion) met in a pet store. From there they struck up a friendship and formed the band. Though the group at one point (Daytrotter Sessions/ Animal!/ Not Animal) employed the talents of eight members, only three of those remain involved in the group.
Margot employs the talents of Kenny Childers (guest vocals), Hubert Glover (trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
) and LonPaul Ellrich (various percussion). Originally signed by indie label Standard Recording Company
Standard Recording Company
Standard Recording Company is an independent record label based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. Formed in the early 2000s, its specialty is indie rock....
, based in Indianapolis, Margot re-released their first album, The Dust of Retreat, on 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...
's Artemis Records. Artemis' parent company (Sheridan Square Entertainment) recently purchased V2 Records
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
North America, an international record label which owns the rights to bands like The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
, Grandaddy
Grandaddy
Grandaddy was an American indie rock band, formed in 1992 in Modesto, California by singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Jason Lytle, bassist Kevin Garcia, and drummer Aaron Burtch. Guitarist Jim Fairchild and keyboardist Tim Dryden later joined the band in 1995...
, Bloc Party
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
and 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...
.
Releases
Two Margot full lengths were released on Oct. 7, 2008 - Animal! (named after Wes Anderson's favorite Muppet) and Not Animal (CD, vinyl, and online download). All releases were by Epic Records. Four intimate live recordings of Margot songs, two of which are exclusively on Animal! and not on Not Animal, are available for free download on Daytrotter's site.There were delays in the release of Margot's second full length due to disagreements between the band and Epic records regarding the song selection of the album. Animal! is Margot's preferred version of their second full-length, while Not Animal is Epic's. Five songs appear on both releases (there are 12 tracks on each album). On their Myspace page, the band has said they would like fans to listen to Animal first.
The band was the featured musical guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
in November 2008.
Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s released their third album, Buzzard, on September 21, 2010 via Mariel Recordings, their own label with distribution through Redeye. The album features many Chicago musicians and friends of the band, including Tim Rutili (Califone, Red Red Meat, Califone), Joe Adamik, Cameron McGill, Katie Todd, Brian Deck (Red Red Meat, producer) and Ronnie Kwasman.
Discography
Studio Albums- The Dust of RetreatThe Dust of RetreatThe Dust of Retreat is the first album released by Margot & the Nuclear So and So's originally on Standard Recording Company. It was re-released March 28, 2006, along with a clean version, on Artemis Records.-Track listing:# "A Sea Chanty of Sorts" – 4:27...
(2006) - Not AnimalNot AnimalNot Animal is the second full-length album released by Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, the first on Epic Records. It is being co-released with the band-selected version, Animal!. It was recorded at Engine Studios in Chicago, IL...
(2008) - Animal!Animal!Animal! is the second full-length album chosen and released by Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, the first on Epic Records. It is being co-released with the label's choice, Not Animal. It was recorded at Engine Studios in Chicago, IL...
(2008) - BuzzardBuzzard (album)Buzzard is the third full-length album released by Margot & the Nuclear So and So's. It is the first to feature the band's new lineup, including Brian Deck on drums, Ronnie Kwasman on guitar, and Cameron McGill on keyboards.-Track listing:...
(2010) - Rot Gut, Domestic Produced by John Congleton (2012)
Singles & EPs
- Broadripple Is Burning/Holy Cow 7" (2006)
- Brand New Key/Jesus Christ Blues 7" (2008)
- The Daytrotter Sessions EP (2008)
- Birds/Bubbleprick 7" (2010)
- Happy Hour at Spriggs(Volume one) EP(2011)
Members
- Richard Edwards - vocals, guitar
- Tyler Watkins - bass, vocals
- Erik Kang - violin, lap steel, guitar
- Brian Deck - drums
- Chris Fry - drums
- Ronnie Kwasman - guitar
- Cameron McGill- keyboards, vocals, harmonica
- Gary Vermillion - more drums
Former
- Andy Fry - guitar, vocals
- Emily Watkins - keyboards, vocals
- Hubert Glover - trumpet, tambourine
- Jesse Lee - cello
- Casey Tennis - auxiliary percussion
Accolades
- XM Radio - Top 3 Unsigned Artists of 2005
- Audiolunchbox.com - #6 - Top Albums of 2005
- Marquee Magazine - #1 Show of 2005 (for their work at the South Park Music Festival)
- Spin Magazine's Who's Next for 2008