Shannon Wright
Encyclopedia
Shannon Wright is an American
singer-songwriter
from Atlanta, Georgia
.
to Chapel Hill, NC after her first band Crowsdell
called it quits. While in Chapel Hill, Wright started experimenting and writing solo songs with a borrowed four-track recorder. Wright, known for her "do-it-yourself punk aesthetic", received much encouragement from friends to continue making records, even though she had considered quitting. So, when a friend gave one of her four-track recordings to someone at Touch and Go
/Quarterstick Records
, and they offered to release her first solo record, she decided to continue her musical career on her own. After, the release of the 7" A tin crown for the social bash on Overcoat Records, Wright signed with Touch and Go/Quarterstick, to which she remains signed today.
, to Atlanta, Georgia
, Wright began working on her first release on Touch and Go called FlightSafety. This album received critic acclaim for Wright's intriguing lyrics and songwriting abilities. FlightSafety consists of simple guitar and piano chord progressions with striking vocal melodies. Wright plays almost all the instruments on this release and all other releases following FlightSafety.
In 2000, Wright recorded Maps of Tacit. This album is one of Wright's most laborious recordings to date. Although critics claimed this album to be too dark and depressing after FlightSafety, it has gone on to be one of her most enduring, intimate and creative. The impassioned songs such as "Dirty Facade" and "Heavy Crown" show an insular world of uncompromising emotions and captivating vocals. On Maps of Tacit Wright's piano playing swirls in carnival like melodies, while her guitar playing on "Within the quilt of demand" dismisses its simple-hearted past and embraces a new unique complexity all its own. Wright's recordings grew more and more "professional" sounding with more instruments and higher sound quality. 2001, brought two recordings. The Perishable Goods E.P. a limited release with handspun artwork and the full-length Dyed in the Wool. Perishable Goods is compiled of older unreleased songs with appearances by: Alan Sparhawk
of Low
, Crooked Fingers, and Rachel Grimes and Christian Fredrickson from Rachel's.
Dyed in the Wool is known as one of Wright's more accessible albums. Songs like "Less than a moment" and "Hinterland
", Wright still features her emotive
and intimate lyrics while now taking on new found confidence. Appearances on Dyed in the Wool are label mates Shipping News, Chris Lopez from Rockateens, Rachel's
and Heather Macintosh from Japancakes.
In 2004, Wright recorded Over the Sun
with renowned recording engineer Steve Albini
and band member of Shellac
. Although, Wright had recorded with Albini before on several different occasions (Maps of Tacit & Dyed in the Wool), this was the first time Wright and Albini completed a full-length record together. Albini's distinctive "live" recording signature, allows Wright to showcase her fervent, powerful and unique guitar playing. This album comes closest to capturing her intense
, unbridled and extremely raw live-performances.
Wright traveled to Paris
, France
to collaborate and record a full-length record with Yann Tiersen
(music composer for the 2001 French
film Amélie
) in the Spring of 2005. This is Wright's only known collaboration with another songwriter. Tiersen's classical background, brightened Wright's classical tendencies, and in turn, Wright brightened Tiersen's experimental and punk tendencies. This collaboration brought eversion for both artists, delivering both delicate and furious songs, much like Wright and Tiersen themselves.
2007, brought Let in the Light
where Wright moves back to her slightly simpler instrumentation and recording styles. Wright seems more at ease on the piano, exploring experimental
and unorthodox piano melodies with a bit of classical
influence. The vocals on songs "In the Morning" or "You Baffle Me" reveal Wright's tranquil side, while "Defy this Love" or "Everybody's got their own part to play" reveal a Beatles-esque pop-sensibility never seen previously.
In 2009, with Honeybee Girls, Wright faces up to her taboos: acoustics and electronics. Piano, organ, guitars, violin, cello with indistinct tones allow to feel freedom and freshness.
Nearly, on year later, Wright wrote and recorded Secret Blood in 2010. “Fractured” bellow her coarse and distinctive guitar playing, so perfectly exact. As does the beautifully hypnotic “Violent Colors”. Secret Blood compiles the major impulses—eerie tension, aggressive thrashing, and muted calm–of Shannon Wright’s career. Her albums typically focus on two of those three motifs, but here the jagged, rocking “Commoner’s Saint,” the tensely dramatic “Dim Reader,” and the stately “Satellites” fit together seamlessly.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
History
Wright moved from New York CityNew 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...
to Chapel Hill, NC after her first band Crowsdell
Crowsdell
Crowsdell was an indie-pop band from Jacksonville, Florida. The members included Shannon Wright , Paul Howell , and Laurie Anne Wall . They released singles on two different labels before signing with Big Cat in 1994. They recorded their first full length CD, Dreamette, with Stephen Malkmus of...
called it quits. While in Chapel Hill, Wright started experimenting and writing solo songs with a borrowed four-track recorder. Wright, known for her "do-it-yourself punk aesthetic", received much encouragement from friends to continue making records, even though she had considered quitting. So, when a friend gave one of her four-track recordings to someone at Touch and Go
Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
/Quarterstick Records
Quarterstick Records
-Artists:*Bad Livers*Calexico*DK3*Dead Child*June of 44*Kepone*The Mekons*Mi Ami*Peter Móren *Mule*Naked Raygun*Tara Jane O'Neil*Pegboy*Phono-Comb*Rachel's*Rodan*Henry Rollins*Shipping News*Sholi*The Sonora Pine*Therapy?...
, and they offered to release her first solo record, she decided to continue her musical career on her own. After, the release of the 7" A tin crown for the social bash on Overcoat Records, Wright signed with Touch and Go/Quarterstick, to which she remains signed today.
Recordings
After moving from Chapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Wright began working on her first release on Touch and Go called FlightSafety. This album received critic acclaim for Wright's intriguing lyrics and songwriting abilities. FlightSafety consists of simple guitar and piano chord progressions with striking vocal melodies. Wright plays almost all the instruments on this release and all other releases following FlightSafety.
Alan Sparhawk
Alan Sparhawk is the guitarist and vocalist for American band Low.-Biography:George Alan Sparhawk was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Utah. He met Mimi Parker when he was 9, after his family moved to Minnesota. Sparhawk began writing his own compositions around the age of 13...
of 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 ....
, Crooked Fingers, and Rachel Grimes and Christian Fredrickson from Rachel's.
Dyed in the Wool is known as one of Wright's more accessible albums. Songs like "Less than a moment" and "Hinterland
Hinterland
The hinterland is the land or district behind a coast or the shoreline of a river. Specifically, by the doctrine of the hinterland, the word is applied to the inland region lying behind a port, claimed by the state that owns the coast. The area from which products are delivered to a port for...
", Wright still features her emotive
Emotive (sociology)
“Emotional expressions”, also called “emotives” are an effort by the speaker to offer an interpretation of something that is observable to no other actor . If emotions are feelings, emotives are the expressions of those feelings through the use of language, specifically through constructions that...
and intimate lyrics while now taking on new found confidence. Appearances on Dyed in the Wool are label mates Shipping News, Chris Lopez from Rockateens, Rachel's
Rachel's
Rachel's is an American chamber music group that formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1991. Former Rodan guitarist, Jason Noble, played music individually and referred to himself as Rachel's but then began collaborating with now core members, violist Christian Frederickson, and pianist Rachel Grimes...
and Heather Macintosh from Japancakes.
Over the Sun
-Track listing:#Intro/With Closed Eyes – 4:39#Portray - 5:36#Black Little Stray - 6:20#You'll Be the Death - 4:07#Throw a Blanket Over the Sun - 4:25#Avalanche - 4:49#If Only We Could - 4:07#Plea - 4:08#Birds - 4:07...
with renowned recording engineer Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
and band member of Shellac
Shellac (band)
Shellac is an American group composed of Steve Albini , Bob Weston and Todd Trainer...
. Although, Wright had recorded with Albini before on several different occasions (Maps of Tacit & Dyed in the Wool), this was the first time Wright and Albini completed a full-length record together. Albini's distinctive "live" recording signature, allows Wright to showcase her fervent, powerful and unique guitar playing. This album comes closest to capturing her intense
Sound intensity
Sound intensity or acoustic intensity is defined as the sound power Pac per unit area A. The usual context is the noise measurement of sound intensity in the air at a listener's location.-Acoustic intensity:...
, unbridled and extremely raw live-performances.
Wright traveled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to collaborate and record a full-length record with Yann Tiersen
Yann Tiersen
Yann Tiersen is a musician from France. His musical career is split between studio albums, collaborations and film soundtracks with a distinctive sound that is always involved...
(music composer for the 2001 French
Cinema of France
The Cinema of France comprises the art of film and creative movies made within the nation of France or by French filmmakers abroad.France is the birthplace of cinema and was responsible for many of its early significant contributions. Several important cinematic movements, including the Nouvelle...
film Amélie
Amélie
Amélie is a 2001 romantic comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Written by Jeunet with Guillaume Laurant, the film is a whimsical depiction of contemporary Parisian life, set in Montmartre...
) in the Spring of 2005. This is Wright's only known collaboration with another songwriter. Tiersen's classical background, brightened Wright's classical tendencies, and in turn, Wright brightened Tiersen's experimental and punk tendencies. This collaboration brought eversion for both artists, delivering both delicate and furious songs, much like Wright and Tiersen themselves.
2007, brought Let in the Light
Let in the Light
-Track listing:#Defy This Love – 3:39#St. Pete - 3:12#You Baffle Me - 3:04#Idle Hands - 2:12#When The Light Shone Down - 3:32#Don't You Doubt Me - 3:14#In The Morning - 3:23#Steadfast and True - 3:42#They'll Kill The Actor In The End - 3:14#Louise - 2:19...
where Wright moves back to her slightly simpler instrumentation and recording styles. Wright seems more at ease on the piano, exploring experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
and unorthodox piano melodies with a bit of classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
influence. The vocals on songs "In the Morning" or "You Baffle Me" reveal Wright's tranquil side, while "Defy this Love" or "Everybody's got their own part to play" reveal a Beatles-esque pop-sensibility never seen previously.
In 2009, with Honeybee Girls, Wright faces up to her taboos: acoustics and electronics. Piano, organ, guitars, violin, cello with indistinct tones allow to feel freedom and freshness.
Nearly, on year later, Wright wrote and recorded Secret Blood in 2010. “Fractured” bellow her coarse and distinctive guitar playing, so perfectly exact. As does the beautifully hypnotic “Violent Colors”. Secret Blood compiles the major impulses—eerie tension, aggressive thrashing, and muted calm–of Shannon Wright’s career. Her albums typically focus on two of those three motifs, but here the jagged, rocking “Commoner’s Saint,” the tensely dramatic “Dim Reader,” and the stately “Satellites” fit together seamlessly.
Collaborations
- Shannon Wright provided vocals for "Last Things Last" on Systems/LayersSystems/LayersSystems/Layers is the fifth release of the instrumental group Rachel's. It was released October 7, 2003 on the Quarterstick Records. The album is a collaborative dance/theater piece with the New York ensemble SITI Company.-Track listing:...
for the band Rachel's.
- Shannon Wright covered the Bee GeesBee GeesThe Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
song "I Started a JokeI Started a Joke"I Started a Joke" is a 1968 song by the Bee Gees from their album Idea, which was released in September of that year.Curiously, it was not released as a single in the UK, where buyers who could not afford the album had to content themselves with a Polydor version by Heath...
" on Perishable Goods E.P.
- Shannon Wright covered The SmithsThe SmithsThe Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
song "Asleep" on A Junior Hymn
- Wright has played, All Tomorrow’s Parties in the UK once curated by ShellacShellacShellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes , which are dissolved in ethyl alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish...
, and for a second time in the UK curated by Dirty ThreeDirty ThreeDirty Three are an instrumental trio consisting of Warren Ellis , Mick Turner and Jim White , originating from Melbourne, Australia. Since the Dirty Three formed in 1992, they have spent a lot of time overseas...
. In 2007, she played at the Primavera Festival in Barcelona with members of Shipping NewsShipping NewsShipping News is an American post-rock/post-hardcore band. The group formed in the fall of 1996 when members Jason Noble and Jeff Mueller, who were both in Rodan, collaborated to create music for the Chicago-based syndicated National Public Radio program This American Life. Kyle Crabtree was later...
.
- "HinterlandHinterlandThe hinterland is the land or district behind a coast or the shoreline of a river. Specifically, by the doctrine of the hinterland, the word is applied to the inland region lying behind a port, claimed by the state that owns the coast. The area from which products are delivered to a port for...
" from Wright's Dyed in the Wool used in the french artist and filmmaker Julien Levy's movie "The Shape of Art to Come" 2011.
Discography
- A Tin Crown For the Social Bash b/w You're the Cup (1999)
- Flightsafety (1999)
- Maps of Tacit (2000)
- Perishable Goods (2001)
- Dyed in the Wool (2001)
- A Junior Hymn b/w Asleep (2001)
- Over the SunOver the Sun-Track listing:#Intro/With Closed Eyes – 4:39#Portray - 5:36#Black Little Stray - 6:20#You'll Be the Death - 4:07#Throw a Blanket Over the Sun - 4:25#Avalanche - 4:49#If Only We Could - 4:07#Plea - 4:08#Birds - 4:07...
(2004) - Yann Tiersen and Shannon WrightYann Tiersen & Shannon Wright (album)Yann Tiersen & Shannon Wright is a collaboration album between French musician Yann Tiersen and Shannon Wright, a female musician, singer and songwriter from USA.-Track listing:#"No Mercy for She" – 5:42#"Dragon Fly" – 3:15#"Sound the Bells" – 3:48...
(2004) - Let in the LightLet in the Light-Track listing:#Defy This Love – 3:39#St. Pete - 3:12#You Baffle Me - 3:04#Idle Hands - 2:12#When The Light Shone Down - 3:32#Don't You Doubt Me - 3:14#In The Morning - 3:23#Steadfast and True - 3:42#They'll Kill The Actor In The End - 3:14#Louise - 2:19...
(2007) - Honeybee Girls (2009)
- Secret Blood (2010)
External links
- http://www.touchandgorecords.com/bands/band.php?id=21 Shannon Wright's record label
- http://www.myspace.com/shannonwrightdefythislove
- http://www.viciouscircle.fr/site/?q=artistes/40 Shannon Wright's French record label
- http://knowwave.com/shannonwright/ Shannon Wright's Official Page
- http://www.quiltofdemand.org/ Quilt of Demand (A Fan Site)
- http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Bn2jveal34x87 Shannon Wright on Allmusic