Department of Eagles
Encyclopedia
Department of Eagles is a band formed in 2000 by friends and New York University
(NYU) roommates Daniel Rossen
(Grizzly Bear
) and Fred Nicolaus. The roommates created music from collected samples, assembled into songs and recorded with pirated recording software and a microphone borrowed from their neighbor, Chris Taylor
, who later became Rossen's bandmate in Grizzly Bear, as well as Department of Eagle's producer and recording engineer.
The duo's music combines folk
, electronica
and other influences. Initially, Rossen and Nicolaus planned on distributing their dorm room beats-and-samples CD only among friends, but they ended up releasing some of these early tracks on two limited-edition vinyl singles on California-based independent label Isota Records. They recorded additional tracks for these singles and for their debut album with producer Jeff Saltzman, the father of a friend from NYU. Saltzman went on to produce Hot Fuss
, the debut CD by The Killers.
During this period the duo went by the tongue-in-cheek name Whitey on the Moon UK. However, to avoid a dispute with a San Francisco-based band of the same name (excepting the UK), they changed their name to "Department of Eagles" before the release of their debut full-length CD. The Whitey on the Moon UK LP saw release on Isota Records in 2003. The band played their one (and only) live performance on KDVS
radio on a show hosted by music director Richard Hicks, an early champion of the group. Soon after, Rossen joined Grizzly Bear
. The group played early sketches of material that would end up on Grizzly Bear's album Yellow House
during this performance on KDVS.
The Whitey on the Moon UK LP was released in the UK as The Cold Nose on Melodic Records in 2005. It was well regarded by the British media, and the band began work on a new album. They have described the new material as sounding like Van Dyke Parks
, Randy Newman
, and Paul McCartney
. This album, In Ear Park
, was released by 4AD
on October 7, 2008.
Their name is a reference to artist Marcel Broodthaers
' Institutional Critique
.
They played "No One Does It Like You" live on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
on October 1, 2008.
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(NYU) roommates Daniel Rossen
Daniel Rossen
Daniel Rossen is a singer/songwriter/guitarist for the Brooklyn-based indie-rock group, Grizzly Bear. He is also a member of the duo Department of Eagles.-Biography:...
(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 Fred Nicolaus. The roommates created music from collected samples, assembled into songs and recorded with pirated recording software and a microphone borrowed from their neighbor, Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear musician)
Chris Taylor is a multi-instrumentalist and producer best known for his role of bass player in the Brooklyn based indie folk group, Grizzly Bear.-Biography:...
, who later became Rossen's bandmate in Grizzly Bear, as well as Department of Eagle's producer and recording engineer.
The duo's music combines folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and other influences. Initially, Rossen and Nicolaus planned on distributing their dorm room beats-and-samples CD only among friends, but they ended up releasing some of these early tracks on two limited-edition vinyl singles on California-based independent label Isota Records. They recorded additional tracks for these singles and for their debut album with producer Jeff Saltzman, the father of a friend from NYU. Saltzman went on to produce Hot Fuss
Hot Fuss
Hot Fuss is the debut studio album by Las Vegas based American rock band The Killers, released on June 7, 2004 in the United Kingdom and on June 15, 2004 in the United States.-Background:...
, the debut CD by The Killers.
During this period the duo went by the tongue-in-cheek name Whitey on the Moon UK. However, to avoid a dispute with a San Francisco-based band of the same name (excepting the UK), they changed their name to "Department of Eagles" before the release of their debut full-length CD. The Whitey on the Moon UK LP saw release on Isota Records in 2003. The band played their one (and only) live performance on KDVS
KDVS
KDVS is an American student and community radio station based in Davis, California. Featuring a freeform programming format, the station is owned by Regents of the University of California...
radio on a show hosted by music director Richard Hicks, an early champion of the group. Soon after, Rossen joined 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 group played early sketches of material that would end up on Grizzly Bear's album Yellow House
Yellow House (album)
Yellow House is the second studio album by indie rock band Grizzly Bear, released on September 5, 2006 on Warp Records. The album's title is in reference to vocalist Ed Droste's mother's house where a majority of the recording took place...
during this performance on KDVS.
The Whitey on the Moon UK LP was released in the UK as The Cold Nose on Melodic Records in 2005. It was well regarded by the British media, and the band began work on a new album. They have described the new material as sounding like Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....
, Randy Newman
Randy Newman
Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
, and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
. This album, In Ear Park
In Ear Park
-Chart positions:- Department of Eagles :*Daniel Rossen: vocals, guitars, banjo, pianos, samples*Fred Nicolaus: vocals, aux percussion, piano, samples- Guest musicians :*Chris Taylor: electric bass, flute, woodwinds, effects*Christopher Bear: drums, samples...
, was released 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...
on October 7, 2008.
Their name is a reference to artist Marcel Broodthaers
Marcel Broodthaers
Marcel Broodthaers was a Belgian poet, filmmaker and artist with a highly literate and often witty approach to creating art works....
' Institutional Critique
Institutional Critique
Institutional Critique is an art term that describes the systematic inquiry into the workings of art institutions, for instance galleries and museums, and is most associated with the work of artists such as Michael Asher, Marcel Broodthaers, Daniel Buren, Andrea Fraser, Fred Wilson and Hans...
.
They played "No One Does It Like You" live on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
on October 1, 2008.
Discography
- Mo' 'Tussin - the EP (as Whitey on the Moon UK) 7-inch single, Isota Records 2002
- The Noam Chomsky Spring Break EP (as Whitey on the Moon UK) 7-inch single, Isota Records 2003
- The Whitey on the Moon UK LP CD and LP, Isota Records 2003
- The Cold NoseThe Cold NoseThe Cold Nose is the debut album by Department of Eagles. It has been reissued twice. It was originally released in the US as The Whitey On The Moon UK LP on Isota Records on October 21, 2003, and reissued in the UK as The Cold Nose on Melodic Records on January 8, 2008. The American Dust October...
CD and LP, Melodic 2005 (UK reissue of The Whitey on the Moon UK LP) - A Johnny Glaze Christmas: Classical Snatches and Samples a Go-Go 2003-2005 CD EP, Isota Records 2006
- The Cold NoseThe Cold NoseThe Cold Nose is the debut album by Department of Eagles. It has been reissued twice. It was originally released in the US as The Whitey On The Moon UK LP on Isota Records on October 21, 2003, and reissued in the UK as The Cold Nose on Melodic Records on January 8, 2008. The American Dust October...
CD, American Dust, 2007 (reissue of The Whitey on the Moon UK LP with four bonus tracks) - In Ear ParkIn Ear Park-Chart positions:- Department of Eagles :*Daniel Rossen: vocals, guitars, banjo, pianos, samples*Fred Nicolaus: vocals, aux percussion, piano, samples- Guest musicians :*Chris Taylor: electric bass, flute, woodwinds, effects*Christopher Bear: drums, samples...
CD and LP, 4AD 2008 (released October 7, 2008) - No One Does It Like You / Too Little Too Late promo 7" single, 4AD 2008
- Archive 2003-2006 CD and LP, American Dust (released July 20, 2010)