Akron/Family
| Akron/Family | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Folk, psychedelic rock, experimental rock |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Young God Dead Oceans |
| Associated acts | Angels of Light, Greg Davis, Megafaun, Best of Seth |
| Website | www.akronfamily.com |
| Members | |
| Dana Janssen Seth Olinsky Miles Seaton |
|
| Past members | |
| Ryan Vanderhoof Phil Cook Greg Davis Fletcher Kaufman Chris Koltay Mark Lawson |
|
Akron/Family
Contents |
[edit] Music and history
All members of the band play several instruments and sing. Live, the band uses improvisation and three-part harmonies. On their self-titled debut record, field recordings of a creaking chair, thunderclaps and the white noise of a television are used, alongside psychedelic and electronic elements, guitars and a glockenspiel.
Between 2003 and 2007 the band was involved in a social scene in Williamsburg, Brooklyn which revolved around the 'Gimmie Coffee' coffee shop. Many of the events of this period served as material for songs.[1]
Their album Akron/Family was released in March 2005. The Wire said, "Akron/Family's hushed left field pastoralism invite comparison with the loose US scene of folk-derived weirdness ... Immaculately interwoven electronics and the care with which each beautifully recorded track unfolds recall Chicago post-rock ..." (Davies 2005).
Released that same month was Angels of Light's Sing "Other People", on which Akron/Family was the main backing band. Several extensive tours of the United States and Europe with Gira — playing as Angels of Light — followed immediately afterward, lasting much of the rest of the year. In the stretches supporting Gira, the band played dual roles as both the supporting and headlining act; in the stretches without Gira, their touring mates included Great Lake Swimmers and Sir Richard Bishop of Sun City Girls.
The next Akron/Family material released was Akron/Family & Angels of Light, a split album with Angels of Light in October 2005. Shortly after releasing Meek Warrior in October 2006, the band debuted seven demo songs on WNYC radio. The band has contributed vocals to Canadian post-rock band Do Make Say Think's album, You, You're a History in Rust and the more recent, Other Truths.
In September 2007, Ryan Vanderhoof from departed the group. Akron/Family are primarily performing as a three-piece band now.
Akron/Family's next album, entitled Set 'Em Wild, Set Em Free was released on May 5, 2009 by Dead Oceans Records. Crammed Discs released it in Europe on the same date.
In January 2012 a controversy arose when Akron/Family appropriated the iconic skull logo of classic California bands Man is the Bastard and Bastard Noise [2]. Akron/Family used the Man is the Bastard and Bastard Noise skull logo on a t-shirt, in a video, and as artwork promoting their upcoming album. The skull logo is still in use by the band Bastard Noise, and has been used by Man is the Bastard and Bastard Noise for over 20 years.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Akron/Family (March 2005; Young God Records)
- Akron/Family & Angels of Light (October 2005; Young God Records) - split album with Angels of Light.
- Meek Warrior (October 2006; Young God Records) - a collaboration with a longtime hero, percussionist Hamid Drake
- Love Is Simple (September 2007)
- Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free (May 2009; Dead Oceans Records, and Crammed Discs for Europe)
- Akron/Family II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT (February 8, 2011; Dead Oceans Records)
[edit] Other
- Eskimo (2003, self-released) CDR, 16 tracks
- Franny & The Portal To The Fractal Universe Of Positive Vibrations (2003; self-released) CDR, 13 tracks.
- Intimate (2003, self-released) CDR, 6 tracks
- Akron (2005, self-released) CD, 7 tracks
- Akron/Family 2006 Tour CD (2006; self-released) - 25 track collection of recordings from 2002 to 2005 sold on tour, limited to 1000 copies.
- Sparrow Trout Heart Sprout (2007; Achord Recordings) - 3 CD set from Seth Olinsky under the name Best of Seth, limited to 500 copies.
- Akron/Family, Greg Davis, and Megafaun OM EP (2007; self-released) - 8 track collection of live recordings and alternate versions sold on tour, limited to 1000 copies.
- Totem - Improv Series 1 (2010; self-released) - 14 track collection of improvisation recordings
[edit] References
- ^ Kimball, Seth. "THE AKRON/FAMILY INTERVIEW". dynamic meter. http://dynamicmeter.com/?p=443.
- ^ Carrie Battan (2012-01-24). "Man Is the Bastard Accuse Akron/Family of Ripping Off Their Skull Logo For T-Shirts". Pitchfork. http://pitchfork.com/news/45207-man-is-the-bastard-accuse-akronfamily-of-ripping-off-their-skull-logo-for-t-shirts/. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
[edit] Bibliography
- Davies, Sam. "Akron/Family." The Wire. April 2005.
