Beach House
Encyclopedia
Beach House is a dream pop
duo formed in 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland, consisting of French-born Victoria Legrand
and Baltimore native Alex Scally. Their self-titled debut, Beach House, released in 2006, was critically acclaimed. This was followed by their second release, Devotion
, in 2008. The band released their third studio album, Teen Dream
in January 2010, also to positive critical reviews and commercial success.
on vocals and organ. Beach House started out life as a recording project. Yet, rather than using multi-tracking to build 'grand' songs, they stuck to the simplicity of their set-up: organ, programmed drums, slide guitar. "It's a way to challenge ourselves: What do you do when it's just the two of you?" Legrand said, to Pitchfork. Offered Scally: "One of the reasons this has been such a fulfilling experience for me is that with two people, it's so much easier to achieve things that feel exciting and new."
The band's song "Apple Orchard" was featured on a Pitchfork Media
mp3 mixtape
in August 2006. In October 2006 their self-titled debut album, Beach House, was released on Carpark Records
. It was listed as #16 in Pitchfork's Best Albums of 2006.
, was released on February 26, 2008. It was received with greater acclaim and also was included in Pitchfork's Best Albums of 2008 list. On October 21, 2008, the group released the single "Used to Be".
Beach House also contributed a cover of Queen
's "Play the Game" for the iTunes Store
release of the Red Hot Organization
's 2009 compilation, Dark Was The Night
.
In 2009, Legrand provided backing vocals on the song "Two Weeks
" by the indie rock
band Grizzly Bear
. She would collaborate with the band again by providing vocals to "Slow Life", the band's contribution to the soundtrack for the film Twilight: New Moon
.
, the duo's 'dynamic and intense' third album, was released on Sub Pop
on January 26, 2010. The album was released in the UK by Bella Union and in Mexico by Arts & Crafts. It contains a newer version of their 2008 single "Used to Be". "Norway" was made available as a free download on the band's website on November 17, 2009; and promoted on iTunes as the Free Single of the Week starting January 12, 2010.
The album was produced and engineered by Chris Coady
(Yeah Yeah Yeahs
, TV on the Radio
, Grizzly Bear
). The album's unanimously good reviews have gained the band a much larger fan base, with Jay-Z
and Beyoncé being spotted at their shows.
Teen Dream
was listed as #5 on Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2010-
" band due to their slow, atmospheric rhythms and haunting lyrics. Singer Victoria Legrand's vocals have often been compared to those of Nico
. The lead vocals of Beach House can be compared to 80's psychedelic rock vocalist Kendra Smith of Opal. Guitarist Alex Scally plays a Fender Stratocaster
in an E♭ Tuning.
The group's influences include Minimum Chips
, Galaxie 500
, This Mortal Coil
, The Zombies
, Brian Wilson
, Françoise Hardy
, Neil Young
, Grizzly Bear
, Big Star and Chris Bell
. Another known influence is the 60's folk group Tony, Caro and John
, from which they re-recorded their "Snowdon Song" with no attribution on their self-titled album under their own name "Lovelier Girl".
, in 2010 with Grizzly Bear
and also doing Primavera Sound Festival
2010.
In March 2009, the band was featured at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas
In April 2010, they played at the Coachella music and arts festival in Coachella Valley, CA
In June 2010, they overcame "technical difficulties due to too much MDMA" while playing a set on The Park Stage at Glastonbury.
In August 2010, the band joined Vampire Weekend
on tour as one of their two opening acts, the other being the Dum Dum Girls
.
In October 2010, Beach House played at the Austin City Limits Music Festival
.
On December 20, 2010 the band performed on Conan.
The band have been chosen by Animal Collective
to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties
festival that they will curate in May 2011, and also by Portishead to perform at the ATP I'll Be Your Mirror
festival that they will curate in July 2011 at London's Alexandra Palace.
On May 29, 2011 the band played at the Sasquatch! Music Festival
.
On October 16, 2011, the band played at the Treasure Island Music Festival.
Dream pop
Dream pop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s, when bands like The Passions, Dif Juz, Lowlife and A.R. Kane began fusing post-punk and ethereal experiments with bittersweet pop melodies into dreamy, sensual soundscapes. The term was almost...
duo formed in 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland, consisting of French-born Victoria Legrand
Victoria Legrand
Victoria Legrand is a singer-songwriter and keyboardist for the indie-pop band Beach House and a niece of famous French composer Michel Legrand...
and Baltimore native Alex Scally. Their self-titled debut, Beach House, released in 2006, was critically acclaimed. This was followed by their second release, Devotion
Devotion (Beach House album)
Devotion is the second full-length record by Baltimore dream pop duo Beach House. The record was released on February 26, 2008 and debuted at #195 on the Billboard Chart. The first single to be released was "Gila"....
, in 2008. The band released their third studio album, Teen Dream
Teen Dream
A special edition DVD package was released containing either a CD or Vinyl and a DVD, featuring psychedelic visuals for each track from Teen Dream, produced by a separate director.-Sales chart performance:-External links:* at Sub Pop...
in January 2010, also to positive critical reviews and commercial success.
Formation and first album
The band formed in 2004, composed of Alex Scally on guitar and keyboards and Victoria LegrandVictoria Legrand
Victoria Legrand is a singer-songwriter and keyboardist for the indie-pop band Beach House and a niece of famous French composer Michel Legrand...
on vocals and organ. Beach House started out life as a recording project. Yet, rather than using multi-tracking to build 'grand' songs, they stuck to the simplicity of their set-up: organ, programmed drums, slide guitar. "It's a way to challenge ourselves: What do you do when it's just the two of you?" Legrand said, to Pitchfork. Offered Scally: "One of the reasons this has been such a fulfilling experience for me is that with two people, it's so much easier to achieve things that feel exciting and new."
The band's song "Apple Orchard" was featured on a Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
mp3 mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
in August 2006. In October 2006 their self-titled debut album, Beach House, was released on Carpark Records
Carpark Records
Carpark Records is an American independent record label based in Washington, D.C. .-Signed artists:* 242.pilots* Beach House* Cloud Nothings* Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez* Belong* Casino Versus Japan* Class Actress...
. It was listed as #16 in Pitchfork's Best Albums of 2006.
Second album and other projects
Their second album, DevotionDevotion (Beach House album)
Devotion is the second full-length record by Baltimore dream pop duo Beach House. The record was released on February 26, 2008 and debuted at #195 on the Billboard Chart. The first single to be released was "Gila"....
, was released on February 26, 2008. It was received with greater acclaim and also was included in Pitchfork's Best Albums of 2008 list. On October 21, 2008, the group released the single "Used to Be".
Beach House also contributed a cover of Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
's "Play the Game" for the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
release of the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's 2009 compilation, Dark Was The Night
Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS...
.
In 2009, Legrand provided backing vocals on the song "Two Weeks
Two Weeks (Grizzly Bear song)
"Two Weeks" is a song by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Grizzly Bear, and the first single from the band's third studio album, Veckatimest. The song was released as a single on June 1, 2009. The song features backing vocals from Victoria Legrand, singer and organist for the dream pop duo Beach House...
" by the indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
. She would collaborate with the band again by providing vocals to "Slow Life", the band's contribution to the soundtrack for the film Twilight: New Moon
New Moon (2009 film)
The Twilight Saga: New Moon, commonly referred to as New Moon, is a 2009 American romance fantasy-vampire film based on Stephenie Meyer's 2006 novel New Moon. It is the second film in The Twilight Saga film series and is the sequel to 2008's Twilight. Summit Entertainment greenlit the sequel in...
.
Third album
Teen DreamTeen Dream
A special edition DVD package was released containing either a CD or Vinyl and a DVD, featuring psychedelic visuals for each track from Teen Dream, produced by a separate director.-Sales chart performance:-External links:* at Sub Pop...
, the duo's 'dynamic and intense' third album, was released on 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...
on January 26, 2010. The album was released in the UK by Bella Union and in Mexico by Arts & Crafts. It contains a newer version of their 2008 single "Used to Be". "Norway" was made available as a free download on the band's website on November 17, 2009; and promoted on iTunes as the Free Single of the Week starting January 12, 2010.
The album was produced and engineered by Chris Coady
Chris Coady
Considered by The Guardian one of the next ten generation producers, Chris Coady is an upcoming producer/engineer, who has worked with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, !!!, Grizzly Bear and Blonde Redhead among many others...
(Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O, guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo, who joined as a touring...
, TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
, Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
). The album's unanimously good reviews have gained the band a much larger fan base, with Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and Beyoncé being spotted at their shows.
Teen Dream
Teen Dream
A special edition DVD package was released containing either a CD or Vinyl and a DVD, featuring psychedelic visuals for each track from Teen Dream, produced by a separate director.-Sales chart performance:-External links:* at Sub Pop...
was listed as #5 on Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2010-
- Teen Dream did little to alter Beach House's core characteristics-- slow-motion beats layered with hazy keyboard drones, rippling guitar figures, and Victoria Legrand's melancholic melodies-- but greatly amplified them to the point of redefining the band's essence, from that of introverted knee-gazers into an assured, emotionally assertive force.--Stuart Berman
Style and Influences
The band is often labeled a "dream popDream pop
Dream pop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s, when bands like The Passions, Dif Juz, Lowlife and A.R. Kane began fusing post-punk and ethereal experiments with bittersweet pop melodies into dreamy, sensual soundscapes. The term was almost...
" band due to their slow, atmospheric rhythms and haunting lyrics. Singer Victoria Legrand's vocals have often been compared to those of Nico
Nico
Nico was a German singer, lyricist, composer, musician, fashion model, and actress, who initially rose to fame as a Warhol Superstar in the 1960s...
. The lead vocals of Beach House can be compared to 80's psychedelic rock vocalist Kendra Smith of Opal. Guitarist Alex Scally plays a Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
in an E♭ Tuning.
The group's influences include Minimum Chips
Minimum Chips
Minimum Chips are an Australian band formed in Brisbane in the mid-1990s. During their Brisbane years they supported many international acts including Stereolab, Bikini Kill and Pavement...
, Galaxie 500
Galaxie 500
Galaxie 500 was an American alternative rock band that formed in 1987 and split up in 1991 after releasing three albums.-History:Guitarist Dean Wareham, drummer Damon Krukowski and bassist Naomi Yang had met at the Dalton School in New York City in 1981, but began playing together during their time...
, This Mortal Coil
This Mortal Coil
This Mortal Coil was a gothic dream pop supergroup led by Ivo Watts-Russell, founder of the British record label 4AD. Although Watts-Russell and John Fryer were technically the only two official members, the band's recorded output featured a large rotating cast of supporting artists, many of whom...
, The Zombies
The Zombies
The Zombies are an English rock band, formed in 1961 in St Albans and led by Rod Argent, on piano and keyboards, and vocalist Colin Blunstone. The group scored a UK and US hit in 1964 with "She's Not There"...
, Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
, Françoise Hardy
Françoise Hardy
Françoise Madeleine Hardy is a French singer, actress and astrologer. Hardy is an iconic figure in fashion, music and style. She is married to the singer and movie actor Jacques Dutronc.-Biography:...
, Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
, Big Star and Chris Bell
Chris Bell (musician)
Christopher Branford "Chris" Bell was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist born in Memphis, Tennessee. Along with Alex Chilton, he led the power pop band Big Star, which recorded albums during the early 1970s...
. Another known influence is the 60's folk group Tony, Caro and John
Tony, Caro and John
Tony, Caro and John, a folk-rock trio, recorded the extremely rare "All on the First Day" album in 1972. The threesome took much of their inspiration from the Incredible String Band's eclectic strain of psychedelic folk, although songwriter and singer Tony Doré's compositions had a sound and voice...
, from which they re-recorded their "Snowdon Song" with no attribution on their self-titled album under their own name "Lovelier Girl".
Albums and EPs
- Beach House (October 3, 2006), CarparkCarpark RecordsCarpark Records is an American independent record label based in Washington, D.C. .-Signed artists:* 242.pilots* Beach House* Cloud Nothings* Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez* Belong* Casino Versus Japan* Class Actress...
- DevotionDevotion (Beach House album)Devotion is the second full-length record by Baltimore dream pop duo Beach House. The record was released on February 26, 2008 and debuted at #195 on the Billboard Chart. The first single to be released was "Gila"....
(February 26, 2008), CarparkCarpark RecordsCarpark Records is an American independent record label based in Washington, D.C. .-Signed artists:* 242.pilots* Beach House* Cloud Nothings* Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez* Belong* Casino Versus Japan* Class Actress...
#195 US - Teen DreamTeen DreamA special edition DVD package was released containing either a CD or Vinyl and a DVD, featuring psychedelic visuals for each track from Teen Dream, produced by a separate director.-Sales chart performance:-External links:* at Sub Pop...
(January 26, 2010), Sub Pop #78 UK, #43 US
Singles & EPs
- "Apple Orchard" (2006)
- "Master of None" (2006)
- "Heart of Chambers" (2008)
- "Gila" (2008)
- "You Came to Me" (2008)
- "Used to Be" (2009), Carpark, #27 UK Indie Chart
- "Norway" (2010), Bella Union
- "Zebra" (2010)
- Zebra EP (April 17, 2010Record Store DayRecord Store Day is an internationally celebrated day observed the third Saturday of April each year. Its purpose, as conceived by independent record store employee Chris Brown, is to celebrate the art of music...
), Sub Pop - iTunes Session (August 24, 2010) Sub Pop
- "I Do Not Care For The Winter Sun" (2010)
Live Performances
The band has toured extensively, in 2009 with Cat PowerCat Power
Charlyn Marie Marshall , also known as Chan Marshall or by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer/songwriter and occasional actress and model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall's first band, but has come to refer to her musical projects with various backing bands...
, in 2010 with Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
and also doing Primavera Sound Festival
Primavera Sound Festival
San Miguel Primavera Sound, commonly known as Primavera Sound or simply Primavera, is an annual music festival which takes place in Barcelona, Spain in late May and, in some years, early June...
2010.
In March 2009, the band was featured at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas
In April 2010, they played at the Coachella music and arts festival in Coachella Valley, CA
In June 2010, they overcame "technical difficulties due to too much MDMA" while playing a set on The Park Stage at Glastonbury.
In August 2010, the band joined Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band from New York City that formed in 2006 and signed to XL Recordings. The Band has four members: Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio. The band released its first album Vampire Weekend in 2008, which produced the singles "Mansard...
on tour as one of their two opening acts, the other being the Dum Dum Girls
Dum Dum Girls
Dum Dum Girls are an American indie pop band from California that formed in 2008. Their name comes from both The Vaselines' album Dum Dum and the Iggy Pop song "Dum Dum Boys"...
.
In October 2010, Beach House played at the Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual three-day American music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas at the city's central public park, Zilker Park...
.
On December 20, 2010 the band performed on Conan.
The band have been chosen by Animal Collective
Animal Collective
Animal Collective is an experimental psychedelic band originally from Baltimore, Maryland, currently based in New York City. Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare , Panda Bear , Deakin , and Geologist...
to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
festival that they will curate in May 2011, and also by Portishead to perform at the ATP I'll Be Your Mirror
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
festival that they will curate in July 2011 at London's Alexandra Palace.
On May 29, 2011 the band played at the Sasquatch! Music Festival
Sasquatch! Music Festival
Sasquatch! Music Festival is a music festival held annually at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington. It is presented by the House of Blues. There is an emphasis on indie rock bands and singer-songwriters, although there are also alternative rock, hip hop and comedy acts...
.
On October 16, 2011, the band played at the Treasure Island Music Festival.
External links
- Official website
- Beach House at Sub PopSub PopSub 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...