Shannon Worrell
Encyclopedia
Shannon Worrell is a singer-songwriter based in Charlottesville, Virginia
. Known for a series of critically acclaimed albums in the 1990s culminating with an appearance (as September 67) on the Lilith Fair
tour and for collaborations with fellow Charlottesville-based musicians Dave Matthews
and Tim Reynolds
, Worrell's acoustic songwriting has been described as "subtly orchestrated chamber pop" and "like a lean country cousin of the Throwing Muses
."
and 28 other newspapers. She graduated from the University of Virginia
in 1990 and stayed in Charlottesville, participating in the local music scene.
Worrell played in a band called Paris Match in the early part of the decade, but left to work as a solo artist sometime after 1991. She played in various locations around Charlottesville's Downtown Mall for several years; in particular, she jammed with Haines Fullerton (formerly of local band The Deal), Tim Reynolds
, and Dave Matthews
on several occasions. All three would subsequently perform on her solo recordings.
Worrell's first album, Three Wishes, was released in 1994 on her own label, Super Duke Records. The album, co-produced by John Alagia
, was recorded in a basement studio in Northern Virginia and comprises nine original songs in a mostly acoustic setting. Collaborators on the album included Tim Reynolds, the Dave Matthews Band
's LeRoi Moore
, and Matthews himself, who sang backing vocals on "Eleanor." Haines Fullerton participated as well, writing vocal arrangements for the album.
Initially, all three members were contributors to Monsoon. However, Hoffman ultimately decided she wanted to go her own way and left the band, eventually signing a contract with Virgin Records
. Worrell and Asbury continued as a duo under the name September 67. The group signed to The Enclave
, an indie label affiliated with EMI
, and released the album Lucky Shoe at the end of 1996. Lucky Shoe was produced by David Lowery
of Camper Van Beethoven
and Cracker
and featured contributions from Bryan Harvey
, John Alagia (who co-wrote "Little Lantern Face"), and the backing musicians from Sparklehorse
.
The tour behind Lucky Shoe saw them supporting Wilco's "Being There" tour, and participating in Lilith Fair
'97. During the Lilith Fair tour, the group recorded a live song called "Steve Malkmus
is a Fucking Snob," which appeared as a non-album track on the EP "What's Wrong with Alice." The song earned the band some controversy and a mention in Rolling Stone.
When The Enclave was acquired by Virgin Records
, Worrell's contract was not picked up, and the band made the decision to go their separate ways.
on accordion and was produced by his wife, Karen Brown. Worrell took time off from music after the release of the album to raise her children and to work with Light House, a non-profit media education center.
At the end of 2007, Worrell began performing publicly again, playing supporting gigs for Charlottesville band Sons of Bill
. In 2008, she entered the studio to record her first album in eight years, The Honey Guide. The album was released in October 2008, and was a featured pick on the iTunes folk store.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
. Known for a series of critically acclaimed albums in the 1990s culminating with an appearance (as September 67) on the Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair was a concert tour and travelling music festival, founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan, Nettwerk Music Group's Dan Fraser and Terry McBride, and New York talent agent Marty Diamond. It took place during the summers of 1997 to 1999, and was revived in the summer of 2010. It...
tour and for collaborations with fellow Charlottesville-based musicians Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
and Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist known as both a solo artist and as the lead guitarist for Dave Matthews Band...
, Worrell's acoustic songwriting has been described as "subtly orchestrated chamber pop" and "like a lean country cousin of the Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses is an alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, that toured and recorded extensively until 1997, when its members began concentrating more on other projects. The group was originally fronted by two lead singers, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, who both wrote the...
."
Early career and Three Wishes
Worrell was born in Charlottesville to a prominent local media family; her father, Thomas E. Worrell, inherited a media network consisting of the Charlottesville Daily ProgressThe Daily Progress
The Daily Progress is the sole daily newspaper in the vicinity of Charlottesville, Virginia. It has been published continuously since 1892. According to the newspaper history published in the 75th anniversary edition in September, 1967, the paper was founded by James Lindsay...
and 28 other newspapers. She graduated from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in 1990 and stayed in Charlottesville, participating in the local music scene.
Worrell played in a band called Paris Match in the early part of the decade, but left to work as a solo artist sometime after 1991. She played in various locations around Charlottesville's Downtown Mall for several years; in particular, she jammed with Haines Fullerton (formerly of local band The Deal), Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist known as both a solo artist and as the lead guitarist for Dave Matthews Band...
, and Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
on several occasions. All three would subsequently perform on her solo recordings.
Worrell's first album, Three Wishes, was released in 1994 on her own label, Super Duke Records. The album, co-produced by John Alagia
John Alagía
John Alagía is an accomplished music producer. He is best known for his work with the Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer. Alagia is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a graduate of Georgetown University...
, was recorded in a basement studio in Northern Virginia and comprises nine original songs in a mostly acoustic setting. Collaborators on the album included Tim Reynolds, the Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
's LeRoi Moore
Leroi Moore
LeRoi Holloway Moore was an American saxophonist best known as a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band. Moore often arranged music for the songs written by frontman Dave Matthews...
, and Matthews himself, who sang backing vocals on "Eleanor." Haines Fullerton participated as well, writing vocal arrangements for the album.
Monsoon and September 67
Between 1995 and 1998, Worrell collaborated with a number of Charlottesville area musicians in various group settings. The first to form was a trio collaboration with Kristin Asbury and Lauren Hoffman initially called Monsoon. During this time period, the group appeared on the Dear Charlottesville compilation to support the local club scene.Initially, all three members were contributors to Monsoon. However, Hoffman ultimately decided she wanted to go her own way and left the band, eventually signing a contract with Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. Worrell and Asbury continued as a duo under the name September 67. The group signed to The Enclave
The Enclave (record label)
The Enclave was an American record label founded in the mid-1990s by Tom Zutaut, former A&R executive for Geffen Records best known for signing Guns N' Roses. It was distributed by EMI. It was shut down in June 1997 when EMI Music decided to fold the label into Virgin Records.The label was briefly...
, an indie label affiliated with EMI
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
, and released the album Lucky Shoe at the end of 1996. Lucky Shoe was produced by David Lowery
David Lowery
David Lowery is an American guitarist, vocalist and songwriter; he is the founder of alternative rock band, Camper Van Beethoven, and co-founder of the more traditional rock band, Cracker...
of Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
and Cracker
Cracker (band)
Cracker is an American alternative rock band featuring founders/songwriters singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1993 album, Kerosene Hat, featuring the hit songs "Low", "Euro-Trash Girl", and "Get Off This".Founders Lowery and Hickman...
and featured contributions from Bryan Harvey
Bryan Harvey (musician)
Bryan Harvey was an American musician noted for his fronting role in House of Freaks. He was murdered with his wife Kathryn and their two daughters Stella and Ruby on January 1, 2006....
, John Alagia (who co-wrote "Little Lantern Face"), and the backing musicians from Sparklehorse
Sparklehorse
Sparklehorse was an American indie rock band led by the singer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous.-History:Sparklehorse's first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot featuring Bob Rupe of the Silos and Cracker, was a modest college radio success...
.
The tour behind Lucky Shoe saw them supporting Wilco's "Being There" tour, and participating in Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair
Lilith Fair was a concert tour and travelling music festival, founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan, Nettwerk Music Group's Dan Fraser and Terry McBride, and New York talent agent Marty Diamond. It took place during the summers of 1997 to 1999, and was revived in the summer of 2010. It...
'97. During the Lilith Fair tour, the group recorded a live song called "Steve Malkmus
Stephen Malkmus
Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an indie rock musician and icon, and a member of the band Pavement. He currently performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.-Early years:...
is a Fucking Snob," which appeared as a non-album track on the EP "What's Wrong with Alice." The song earned the band some controversy and a mention in Rolling Stone.
When The Enclave was acquired by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, Worrell's contract was not picked up, and the band made the decision to go their separate ways.
The Moviegoer, hiatus, and new album
Following the breakup of September 67, Worrell returned to the studio to record a follow up album. The Moviegoer, released in April 2000 on her Super Duke label, saw her collaborating again with Bryan Harvey; the album features John LinnellJohn Linnell
John Sidney Linnell is an American musician, is known primarily as one half of Brooklyn, New York alternative rock duo They Might Be Giants...
on accordion and was produced by his wife, Karen Brown. Worrell took time off from music after the release of the album to raise her children and to work with Light House, a non-profit media education center.
At the end of 2007, Worrell began performing publicly again, playing supporting gigs for Charlottesville band Sons of Bill
Sons of Bill
Sons of Bill is a five-piece rock and Americana band from Charlottesville, Virginia. Named after the father of three of the founding members, Bill Wilson, the band's sound combines traditional country and folk songwriting with instrumentation and presentation of a rock band...
. In 2008, she entered the studio to record her first album in eight years, The Honey Guide. The album was released in October 2008, and was a featured pick on the iTunes folk store.
Albums
- Shannon Worrell: Three Wishes (CD). Super Duke Records (1994).
- September 67: Lucky Shoe (LP, CD). The Enclave/Super Duke (1996).
- Shannon Worrell: The Moviegoer (CD). Super Duke Records (2000).
- Shannon Worrell: The Honey Guide (CD/digital). Dualtone (2008).
Singles and EPs
- Shannon Worrell (four-track cassette EP). Super Duke (1994).
- Monsoon (cassette/vinyl). Self-released (1995).
- September 67, Busy Building (3-track UK CD single). The Enclave/Virgin (1996).
Promotional Singles, EPs and LPs
- Shannon Worrell & Kristen Asbury (four-track Lucky Shoe Sampler CD, DPRO-11700). The Enclave (1996).
- September 67: Lucky Shoe (Advance Promo CD, DPRO-11703). The Enclave/Super Duke (1996).
- September 67, Busy Building (1-track UK CD single, VSCDJ 1627). The Enclave/Virgin (1996).
- September 67, Busy Building (2-track US CD single, DPRO-11704). The Enclave (1996).
- September 67, Busy Building (1-track US 45). The Enclave (1996).
- September 67, What's Wrong with Alice (4-track CD EP, DPRO-11718). The Enclave (1997).
- Shannon Worrell: The Moviegoer (Advance Promo CD in card-sleeve, inc. booklet with alternate silver cover printing). Super Duke Records (2000).
Appearances in Compilations
- Dear Charlottesville as Shannon Worrell and Monsoon (1995). "Hazel Motes."
- Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music (CD, 1998). "Long Distance Runner."
- Aware II (CD, 1994). "Eleanor"
- "Aware IV" "Movie Star Mom"
- "Aware's Greatest Hits"
Appearances in Promotional Compilations
- The Enclave Music Sampler SXSW 97 (CD). The Enclave (1997). "What's Wrong With Alice"
- Fired Up - Badge New Music: Vol 1 (CD). EMI/Capitol Records (1997). "Busy Building"