The Brunettes
Encyclopedia
The Brunettes are an indie pop
or twee pop group from New Zealand
formed in 1998. The band consists of core members Jonathan Bree and Heather Mansfield with additional contributions from part-time band members including James Milne (of The Reduction Agents
and Lawrence Arabia
), Ryan McPhun (of Ryan McPhun and the Ruby Suns and The Reduction Agents
), Harry Cundy, and most recently, Andrew Thompson and Princess Chelsea.
The band released its first recording Mars Loves Venus EP
in 1998.
The band are signed to Auckland based label Lil' Chief Records
. The Brunettes' first album Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks
released in 2002 was the debut release for the label. This was followed 6 months later by the mini-album The Boyracer EP. In the U.S. their recordings appear on the Sub Pop
label.
Their second album Mars Loves Venus
was released in June 2004 again on Lil' Chief and was quickly followed by 2005's EP When Ice Met Cream
. More recently the band signed to the American label Sub Pop
, possibly as a result of their opening for The Shins
2005 tour of North America. They have also opened for Rilo Kiley
, The Postal Service
, Broken Social Scene
, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
, and Beirut
and played at the 2006 Big Day Out
festivals in New Zealand and Australia.
Their album Structure & Cosmetics
was released on 30 July 2007 in New Zealand and on 7 August in the USA.
"Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth" is currently featured on an extended advertisement for Hollyoaks
, on Channel 4 (and E4) in the UK.
In 2008, The Brunettes covered The Cure
's "Lovesong" for American Laundromat Records
tribute compilation "Just Like Heaven - a tribute to The Cure". The Wedding Present, Joy Zipper, The Submarines, and The Rosebuds also contributed tracks to the project.
In 2009, The Brunettes released the Red Rollerskates e.p on Lil' Chief Records which was shortly followed by their fourth album Paper Dolls.
In 2010, their song "Red Rollerskates" was included in soundtrack of the 2K Sports
video game NBA 2K11
.
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
or twee pop group from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
formed in 1998. The band consists of core members Jonathan Bree and Heather Mansfield with additional contributions from part-time band members including James Milne (of The Reduction Agents
The Reduction Agents
The Reduction Agents are a New Zealand band fronted by James Milne, who also records under the name Lawrence Arabia. In 2006 the band released their debut album The Dance Reduction Agents, as well as Milne releasing his debut solo album, Lawrence Arabia...
and Lawrence Arabia
Lawrence Arabia
Lawrence Arabia is the musical guise of New Zealand artist James Milne. In 2006, Lawrence Arabia released his self titled debut album and the debut album his band The Reduction Agents, The Dance Reduction Agents...
), Ryan McPhun (of Ryan McPhun and the Ruby Suns and The Reduction Agents
The Reduction Agents
The Reduction Agents are a New Zealand band fronted by James Milne, who also records under the name Lawrence Arabia. In 2006 the band released their debut album The Dance Reduction Agents, as well as Milne releasing his debut solo album, Lawrence Arabia...
), Harry Cundy, and most recently, Andrew Thompson and Princess Chelsea.
The band released its first recording Mars Loves Venus EP
Mars Loves Venus EP
The Mars Loves Venus EP is the debut release by The Brunettes. It was self-released in 1998, on lathe-cut clear vinyl manufactured by King Records in Geraldine, New Zealand. Only 30 copies are believed to be in existence, and the EP is highly sought after by collectors...
in 1998.
The band are signed to Auckland based label Lil' Chief Records
Lil' Chief Records
Lil' Chief Records is a boutique New Zealand based indie pop record label which was formed in 2002. It operates out of the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The aesthetic of the label tends towards 60s influenced pop. All the releases have been characterised by lush production, vocal harmonies, strong...
. The Brunettes' first album Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks
Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks
Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks is the first full-length album released by twee pop group The Brunettes. It was released in 2002 as a joint release between Lil' Chief Records and EMI New Zealand.-Track listing:All songs written by Jonathan Bree....
released in 2002 was the debut release for the label. This was followed 6 months later by the mini-album The Boyracer EP. In the U.S. their recordings appear on the Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
label.
Their second album Mars Loves Venus
Mars Loves Venus
Mars Loves Venus is the second full-length album by The Brunettes. It was released in 2004 on Lil' Chief Records.-Track listing:# "Mars Loves Venus" – 2:25# "Loopy Loopy Love" – 2:44# "Polyester Meets Acetate" – 3:56# "Too Big for Gidget" – 3:18...
was released in June 2004 again on Lil' Chief and was quickly followed by 2005's EP When Ice Met Cream
When Ice Met Cream
When Ice Met Cream is an EP released by The Brunettes. It was released 2005 on Lil' Chief Records.-Track listing:# "When Ice Met Cream" - 3:19# "Pink Ribbons" - 2:27# "Hulk is Hulk" - 3:21# "The Ace of Space" - 2:31# "The Outsider" - 2:37...
. More recently the band signed to the American label Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
, possibly as a result of their opening for The Shins
The Shins
The Shins are an American indie rock band comprising singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Mercer, guitarist/bassist Dave Hernandez, Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats, drummer Joe Plummer and bassist Ron Lewis. Their sound draws on several musical genres, including pop, alternative rock, indie rock,...
2005 tour of North America. They have also opened for Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel....
, The Postal Service
The Postal Service
The Postal Service is an American electronic indie pop band composed of vocalist Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Headset.-Background:...
, Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is an American indie rock group based in Brooklyn, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their debut album, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, was self-released in 2005.-History:...
, and Beirut
Beirut (band)
Beirut is an American band which was originally the solo musical project of Santa Fe native Zachary Francis Condon, and later expanded into a band. The band's first performances were in Wollaston, United Kingdom, in May 2006, to support the release of their debut album, Gulag Orkestar...
and played at the 2006 Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
festivals in New Zealand and Australia.
Their album Structure & Cosmetics
Structure & Cosmetics
Structure & Cosmetics is the third album by New Zealand band The Brunettes, and their first album to be released on Sub Pop in the USA. The album was released on 30 July 2007 in New Zealand on Lil' Chief Records and on August 7, 2007 in North America....
was released on 30 July 2007 in New Zealand and on 7 August in the USA.
"Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth" is currently featured on an extended advertisement for Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
, on Channel 4 (and E4) in the UK.
In 2008, The Brunettes covered The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
's "Lovesong" for American Laundromat Records
American Laundromat Records
American Laundromat Records is an indie label based in Mystic, CT.The label has produced several tribute albums, including Dig For Fire - a tribute to PIXIES, Cinnamon Girl - Women Artists Cover Neil Young, and High School Reunion - A Tribute to Those Great 80's Films...
tribute compilation "Just Like Heaven - a tribute to The Cure". The Wedding Present, Joy Zipper, The Submarines, and The Rosebuds also contributed tracks to the project.
In 2009, The Brunettes released the Red Rollerskates e.p on Lil' Chief Records which was shortly followed by their fourth album Paper Dolls.
In 2010, their song "Red Rollerskates" was included in soundtrack of the 2K Sports
2K Sports
2K Sports is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. It comprises a single development studio, Visual Concepts, which was purchased from Sega in the year 2005. 2K Sports mainly develops and publishes American sports video games such as NBA 2K series...
video game NBA 2K11
NBA 2K11
The game has received critical acclaim. Game review websites have praised NBA 2K11 for its developed controls, online multi-player, and Michael Jordan features...
.
Discography
| Date | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albums | ||||||
| 2002 2002 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI... |
Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks is the first full-length album released by twee pop group The Brunettes. It was released in 2002 as a joint release between Lil' Chief Records and EMI New Zealand.-Track listing:All songs written by Jonathan Bree.... |
Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records is a boutique New Zealand based indie pop record label which was formed in 2002. It operates out of the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The aesthetic of the label tends towards 60s influenced pop. All the releases have been characterised by lush production, vocal harmonies, strong... |
- | - | LCR 001 | |
| 2004 2004 in music See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol.... |
Mars Loves Venus Mars Loves Venus Mars Loves Venus is the second full-length album by The Brunettes. It was released in 2004 on Lil' Chief Records.-Track listing:# "Mars Loves Venus" – 2:25# "Loopy Loopy Love" – 2:44# "Polyester Meets Acetate" – 3:56# "Too Big for Gidget" – 3:18... |
Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records is a boutique New Zealand based indie pop record label which was formed in 2002. It operates out of the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The aesthetic of the label tends towards 60s influenced pop. All the releases have been characterised by lush production, vocal harmonies, strong... |
- | - | LCR 007 | |
| 2007 2007 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame... |
Structure & Cosmetics Structure & Cosmetics Structure & Cosmetics is the third album by New Zealand band The Brunettes, and their first album to be released on Sub Pop in the USA. The album was released on 30 July 2007 in New Zealand on Lil' Chief Records and on August 7, 2007 in North America.... |
Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records is a boutique New Zealand based indie pop record label which was formed in 2002. It operates out of the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The aesthetic of the label tends towards 60s influenced pop. All the releases have been characterised by lush production, vocal harmonies, strong... and Sub Pop Records |
- | - | LCR 019 | |
| 2009 2009 in music The following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year... |
Paper Dolls | Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records is a boutique New Zealand based indie pop record label which was formed in 2002. It operates out of the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The aesthetic of the label tends towards 60s influenced pop. All the releases have been characterised by lush production, vocal harmonies, strong... |
- | - | LCR 025 | |
| EPs | ||||||
| 1998 1998 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia... |
Mars Loves Venus EP Mars Loves Venus EP The Mars Loves Venus EP is the debut release by The Brunettes. It was self-released in 1998, on lathe-cut clear vinyl manufactured by King Records in Geraldine, New Zealand. Only 30 copies are believed to be in existence, and the EP is highly sought after by collectors... |
- | - | - | ||
| 2003 2003 in music -January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested... |
The Boyracer e.p. The Boyracer e.p. The Boyracer e.p. is the second EP by The Brunettes. It was released in 2003 on Lil' Chief Records.-Track listing:# "Boyracer" – 3:22# "Lovers Park" – 3:00# "Vaudeville" – 3:24# "I Miss My Coochie Coo" – 3:10# "Don't neglect Your Pet" – 3:03... |
Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records is a boutique New Zealand based indie pop record label which was formed in 2002. It operates out of the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The aesthetic of the label tends towards 60s influenced pop. All the releases have been characterised by lush production, vocal harmonies, strong... |
- | - | LCR 002 | |
| 2005 2005 in music -Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:... |
When Ice Met Cream When Ice Met Cream When Ice Met Cream is an EP released by The Brunettes. It was released 2005 on Lil' Chief Records.-Track listing:# "When Ice Met Cream" - 3:19# "Pink Ribbons" - 2:27# "Hulk is Hulk" - 3:21# "The Ace of Space" - 2:31# "The Outsider" - 2:37... |
Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records is a boutique New Zealand based indie pop record label which was formed in 2002. It operates out of the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The aesthetic of the label tends towards 60s influenced pop. All the releases have been characterised by lush production, vocal harmonies, strong... |
- | - | LCR 010 | |
| 2009 2009 in music The following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year... |
The Red Rollerskates E.P. | Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records Lil' Chief Records is a boutique New Zealand based indie pop record label which was formed in 2002. It operates out of the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. The aesthetic of the label tends towards 60s influenced pop. All the releases have been characterised by lush production, vocal harmonies, strong... |
- | - | LCR 024 | |
| 2011 | Mars Loves Venus (vinyl) | Microfiche Records | - | - | MFR 003 | |