Cass McCombs
Encyclopedia
Cass McCombs is an American songwriter and performer. Called "unobtrusively brilliant" by John Peel
, he has received widespread critical acclaim for his five LPs and one EP.
. He has led a nomadic existence for most of his adult life, moving from one city to the next, living in cars, on couches and at campsites. McCombs spent time developing his songwriting abilities in New York City, until the events of 9/11 (coupled with running out of money) sent him back, via Greyhound
bus, to San Francisco, where he recorded his debut E.P., entitled Not the Way E.P.
It would be released by the small Baltimore-based Monitor Records in 2002. After relocating there, his first full-length album, A
, was released early the following year on Monitor in the U.S. and in Europe and the U.K. by 4AD
. McCombs and his band spent much of 2003 and 2004 touring, performing everywhere from the All Tomorrow's Parties
festival to house shows. McCombs otherwise divided his time amongst the Pacific Northwest
, England and Baltimore. After a week of recording in Michigan, his second LP, PREfection
, arrived in spring 2005. Later that year, he decamped to Southern California to begin work on his third full-length, Dropping the Writ
, which was released on October 9, 2007, by Domino Records and later named one of Amazon.com’s Best Albums of 2007. Following a period in Chicago, he returned to California to record Catacombs
before its eventual U.S. release on July 7, 2009. The album was named one of the top 50 albums of 2009 by Pitchfork Media
. His fifth LP, Wit's End
, was released by Domino on April 26, 2011. It will be followed by another LP, entitled Humor Risk, scheduled to be released on November 8, 2011 - less than 7 months after the release of his previous LP. Like Catacombs
and Wit's End
, it was produced by Ariel Rechtshaid and McCombs.
He has performed or toured with Honeyboy Edwards, Mike Bones
, Band of Horses
, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, White Magic
, Cat Power
, The Anomonon, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Andrew Bird
, Blonde Redhead
, Modest Mouse
, Girls
, Sleepy Doug Shaw, Beach House
, The Decemberists
, Arcade Fire, Peter Bjorn and John
, Papercuts
, Fiery Furnaces, Jose Gonzales, The Shins
, Iron and Wine, Arboretum, Deerhoof
, The Walkmen
, John Webster Johns, Lightspeed Champion
, The Donkeys, OXES
, Gang Gang Dance
, Convalescent Surprise, Frank Fairfield, Michael Hurley
, Jana Hunter
, Lower Dens, Thurston Moore
, and Mt. Egypt
.
His songs have been featured in films such as Thomas Campbell's 2009 surf film The Present and Ralph Arlyck documentary Following Sean
, as well as notable skate videos featuring Jason Dill, Jerry Hsu
Chima Ferguson and Dylan Rieder.
McCombs has stated that his tombstone will read "Home At Last."
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
, he has received widespread critical acclaim for his five LPs and one EP.
History
Cass McCombs was born in Concord, CaliforniaConcord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
. He has led a nomadic existence for most of his adult life, moving from one city to the next, living in cars, on couches and at campsites. McCombs spent time developing his songwriting abilities in New York City, until the events of 9/11 (coupled with running out of money) sent him back, via Greyhound
Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is an intercity common carrier of passengers by bus serving over 3,700 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, operating under the well-known logo of a leaping greyhound. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, in 1914 and...
bus, to San Francisco, where he recorded his debut E.P., entitled Not the Way E.P.
Not the Way
Not the Way is the debut EP by Cass McCombs. It was released on Monitor Records in 2002.-Track listing:#"Not the Way" – 3:20#"So Damn Pure" – 3:31#"Opium Flower" – 6:03#"Your Mother and Father" – 3:58#"Nobody's Nixen" – 4:08...
It would be released by the small Baltimore-based Monitor Records in 2002. After relocating there, his first full-length album, A
A (Cass McCombs album)
A is the debut album by Cass McCombs and was released on May 20, 2003 on Monitor Records.-Track listing: # "I Went to the Hospital" – 5:14# "Bobby, King of Boys Town" – 3:47# "What Isn't Nature" – 4:48# "Aids in Africa" – 5:42...
, was released early the following year on Monitor in the U.S. and in Europe and the U.K. by 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
. McCombs and his band spent much of 2003 and 2004 touring, performing everywhere from 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 to house shows. McCombs otherwise divided his time amongst the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
, England and Baltimore. After a week of recording in Michigan, his second LP, PREfection
PREfection
PREfection is an album by Cass McCombs, released in 2005. It is a follow-up to his 2003 debut album A.-Track listing:#"Equinox" – 3:35#"Subtraction" – 3:49#"Multiple Suns" – 5:22#"Tourist Woman" – 3:47#"Sacred Heart" – 4:06...
, arrived in spring 2005. Later that year, he decamped to Southern California to begin work on his third full-length, Dropping the Writ
Dropping the Writ
Dropping the Writ is the third full-length album released by musician Cass McCombs. The album was released on October 9, 2007 by Domino Records.-Track listing:All tracks by Cass McCombs#"Lionkiller" - 4:31#"Pregnant Pause" - 3:29...
, which was released on October 9, 2007, by Domino Records and later named one of Amazon.com’s Best Albums of 2007. Following a period in Chicago, he returned to California to record Catacombs
Catacombs (album)
Catacombs is the fourth full-length album by Cass McCombs released on June 1, 2009 in the UK, and on July 7 in North America via Domino Records. The first single, "Dreams Come True Girl", was released on May 25, 2009. The single also features Academy Award-nominee Karen Black as backing vocals. The...
before its eventual U.S. release on July 7, 2009. The album was named one of the top 50 albums of 2009 by 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...
. His fifth LP, Wit's End
Wit's End
Wit's End is the fifth full-length album by Cass McCombs. It was released on April 11, 2011 in the UK, and on April 26 in North America via Domino Records...
, was released by Domino on April 26, 2011. It will be followed by another LP, entitled Humor Risk, scheduled to be released on November 8, 2011 - less than 7 months after the release of his previous LP. Like Catacombs
Catacombs (album)
Catacombs is the fourth full-length album by Cass McCombs released on June 1, 2009 in the UK, and on July 7 in North America via Domino Records. The first single, "Dreams Come True Girl", was released on May 25, 2009. The single also features Academy Award-nominee Karen Black as backing vocals. The...
and Wit's End
Wit's End
Wit's End is the fifth full-length album by Cass McCombs. It was released on April 11, 2011 in the UK, and on April 26 in North America via Domino Records...
, it was produced by Ariel Rechtshaid and McCombs.
He has performed or toured with Honeyboy Edwards, Mike Bones
Mike Bones
Mike Bones is the stage name of Mike Strallow, a New York based guitarist singer-songwriter who established himself as one of the top guitarists on the New York underground/independent scene for his work with Soldiers of Fortune, Damon McMahon, Lizzie Trulie, and the Mighty Flashlight...
, Band of Horses
Band of Horses
Band of Horses, originally briefly known as Horses, are an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle by Ben Bridwell. They have released three studio albums, the most recent and most successful of which is 2010's Grammy nominated Infinite Arms...
, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, White Magic
White Magic (band)
White Magic is a psychedelic folk rock group based in Brooklyn, N.Y., led by singer/guitarist/pianist Mira Billotte.-History:White Magic's original lineup was Mira Billotte on vocals and piano, drummer/bassist Miggy Littleton and guitarist/drummer Andy Macleod...
, Cat Power
Cat 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...
, The Anomonon, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.- Early life and the Bowl of Fire :...
, Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace , which formed in New York City in 1993....
, Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. They are based in Portland, Oregon. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think...
, Girls
Girls (band)
Girls is an indie rock band from San Francisco, California. Made up of two key members, Christopher Owens who is the main writer and Chet "JR" White who plays bass and produces. The band's lead singer, Christopher Owens, is a former member of the Children of God cult...
, Sleepy Doug Shaw, Beach House
Beach House
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 Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
, Arcade Fire, Peter Bjorn and John
Peter Bjorn and John
Peter Bjorn and John are a Swedish indie rock band, formed in Stockholm in 1999 and named after the first names of the band's members: Peter Morén , Björn Yttling and John Eriksson .They are best known for the 2006 single "Young Folks", which...
, Papercuts
Papercuts
Papercuts is an American indie pop project centered around Jason Robert Quever.-History:Papercuts is the musical project of San Francisco songwriter/producer Jason Quever. Quever had been making home recordings since high school, but the first official release as Papercuts was 2004's Mockingbird...
, Fiery Furnaces, Jose Gonzales, 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,...
, Iron and Wine, Arboretum, Deerhoof
Deerhoof
Deerhoof is a musical group consisting of Satomi Matsuzaki, John Dieterich, Ed Rodriguez and Greg Saunier.-Origins:In 1992, Greg Saunier, having recently graduated with a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, joined a short-lived San Francisco quartet called Nitre Pit, on...
, The Walkmen
The Walkmen
The Walkmen are an American indie rock band, with members based in New York City and Philadelphia. The band formed in 2000 with three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater—Paul Maroon , Walter Martin , and Matt Barrick —and two from The Recoys, Peter Bauer and Hamilton Leithauser . All but Bauer...
, John Webster Johns, Lightspeed Champion
Lightspeed Champion
Devonté Hynes , better known as Lightspeed Champion or Blood Orange, is a British composer, songwriter, producer and author, who has written for artists such as Florence and the Machine, Diana Vickers and The Chemical Brothers on their 2007 Grammy award winning album We Are The Night...
, The Donkeys, OXES
OXES
OXES are an instrumental rock band from Baltimore, Maryland. Their music has been called math rock or post-punk.OXES are part of what is known as "The Baltimore Rowdy Collective" which stages practical jokes, usually involving a confrontational and outlandish racket in public places...
, Gang Gang Dance
Gang Gang Dance
Gang Gang Dance is an American experimental music band based in Manhattan, New York City. The band is known for its distinctive sound which features synthesized electronics and percussion, plus the varied vocal styles of singer Lizzi Bougatsos...
, Convalescent Surprise, Frank Fairfield, Michael Hurley
Michael Hurley
Michael Hurley is an American singer/guitarist. He also plays the fiddle and piano. He grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.-Career:...
, Jana Hunter
Jana Hunter
Jana Hunter is a Baltimore-based songwriter and musician. She was born in Texas and is currently a member of Lower Dens.She is signed to Gnomonsong, a new record label run by Devendra Banhart and Vetiver's Andy Cabic...
, Lower Dens, Thurston Moore
Thurston Moore
Thurston Joseph Moore is an American musician best known as a singer, songwriter and guitarist of Sonic Youth. He has also participated in many solo and group collaborations outside of Sonic Youth, as well as running the Ecstatic Peace! record label...
, and Mt. Egypt
Mt. Egypt
Mt. Egypt is the moniker for Travis Graves, an American singer-songwriter from Virginia. In 2002, skateboarding friend Jason Dill connected Graves to the label Record Collection. The following year, Mt. Egypt released his debut album, Battening the Hatches.In 2006, Mt...
.
His songs have been featured in films such as Thomas Campbell's 2009 surf film The Present and Ralph Arlyck documentary Following Sean
Following Sean
Following Sean is a 2005 documentary film directed by Ralph Arlyck, and a follow-up to his 1969 student short "Sean," which features four-year-old Sean Farrell's thoughts on marijuana, police presence, and freewheeling lifestyles...
, as well as notable skate videos featuring Jason Dill, Jerry Hsu
Jerry Hsu
Jerry Hsu is a professional skateboarder. He is of Chinese descent.-Biography:At the age of nine, Hsu began recording himself skateboarding, for the purpose of discovering what his skateboarding really looked like...
Chima Ferguson and Dylan Rieder.
McCombs has stated that his tombstone will read "Home At Last."
Discography
- Not the Way E.P.Not the WayNot the Way is the debut EP by Cass McCombs. It was released on Monitor Records in 2002.-Track listing:#"Not the Way" – 3:20#"So Damn Pure" – 3:31#"Opium Flower" – 6:03#"Your Mother and Father" – 3:58#"Nobody's Nixen" – 4:08...
(2002) - AA (Cass McCombs album)A is the debut album by Cass McCombs and was released on May 20, 2003 on Monitor Records.-Track listing: # "I Went to the Hospital" – 5:14# "Bobby, King of Boys Town" – 3:47# "What Isn't Nature" – 4:48# "Aids in Africa" – 5:42...
(2003) - PREfectionPREfectionPREfection is an album by Cass McCombs, released in 2005. It is a follow-up to his 2003 debut album A.-Track listing:#"Equinox" – 3:35#"Subtraction" – 3:49#"Multiple Suns" – 5:22#"Tourist Woman" – 3:47#"Sacred Heart" – 4:06...
(2005) - Dropping the WritDropping the WritDropping the Writ is the third full-length album released by musician Cass McCombs. The album was released on October 9, 2007 by Domino Records.-Track listing:All tracks by Cass McCombs#"Lionkiller" - 4:31#"Pregnant Pause" - 3:29...
(2007) - CatacombsCatacombs (album)Catacombs is the fourth full-length album by Cass McCombs released on June 1, 2009 in the UK, and on July 7 in North America via Domino Records. The first single, "Dreams Come True Girl", was released on May 25, 2009. The single also features Academy Award-nominee Karen Black as backing vocals. The...
(2009) - Wit's EndWit's EndWit's End is the fifth full-length album by Cass McCombs. It was released on April 11, 2011 in the UK, and on April 26 in North America via Domino Records...
(2011) - Humor Risk (2011)
External links
- Mystery Man - Interview w/ Vice Magazine
- Pitchfork MediaPitchfork MediaPitchfork 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...
review of PREfectionPREfectionPREfection is an album by Cass McCombs, released in 2005. It is a follow-up to his 2003 debut album A.-Track listing:#"Equinox" – 3:35#"Subtraction" – 3:49#"Multiple Suns" – 5:22#"Tourist Woman" – 3:47#"Sacred Heart" – 4:06...
link - Video for Sacred Heart from PREfection
- Transcript of interview on National Public Radio's World CafeWorld CafeWorld Cafe is a two-hour long, nationally syndicated music radio program that originates from WXPN, a non-commercial station licensed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The program began in 1991 and was originally distributed by Public Radio...
show http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15724284 - Portland Mercury article by Zac Pennington http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=34372&category=22153
- Cass McCombs (official site)