Glenn Kotche
Encyclopedia
Glenn Kotche is an American drummer
and composer
, best known for his involvement in the band Wilco
. He was named the 41st greatest drummer of all time by Gigwise in 2008.
Prior to working with Wilco, Kotche released a four-track album
entitled Introducing. In 2003, he released a second solo album titled
Next, featuring solo drum improvisations using homemade percussion
installations. A third solo album was released in March 2006 on
Nonesuch Records
, entitled Mobile. This album featured a broad range
of compositions for percussion.
, who originally
caught him playing a show with Edith Frost
. He went on to make
several records with O'Rourke including two Loose Fur albums (O’Rourke, Kotche and Jeff Tweedy
). Throughout Kotche's career with Wilco
(Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
, the Grammy award-winning A Ghost is Born
, The Wilco Book
companion CD, Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
, Sky Blue Sky
and Wilco (The Album)
) and his solo projects, he has treated the drumset as a multiple percussion instrument including home-made instruments, pitched percussion, various found objects such as scrap metal and hubcaps and orchestral instruments.
with Darin Gray
called On Fillmore, cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, members of the band Nickel Creek, percussionists David Cossin, Tim Barnes and Chris Corsano, and many others. He has appeared on over 70 recordings to date.
Kotche collaborated with the Kronos Quartet
on a piece written for them along with drumset titled Anomaly, premiered at the San Francisco Jazz Festival
in October 2007. And in 2011 he worked with So Percussion
on a series of pieces called Drumkit Quartets as part of Meet the Composer's Three City Dash.
in Roselle, IL, where he was a member of the drum line in the Lake Park Marching Band
, and later the University of Kentucky
, where he honed his musical skill and technique and obtained a bachelor's degree in music performance. Glenn was also a member of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps
from Rosemont, Illinois
in 1989, playing in the snare line. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from UK's College of Fine Arts in 2007.
:
On Fillmore:
Loose Fur
:
The Minus 5
:
Fred Lonberg-Holm Quartet:
7 Worlds Collide
:
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, best known for his involvement in the band Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
. He was named the 41st greatest drummer of all time by Gigwise in 2008.
Prior to working with Wilco, Kotche released a four-track album
entitled Introducing. In 2003, he released a second solo album titled
Next, featuring solo drum improvisations using homemade percussion
installations. A third solo album was released in March 2006 on
Nonesuch Records
Nonesuch Records
Nonesuch Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed by Warner Bros. Records.-Company history:Nonesuch was founded in 1964 by Jac Holzman to produce "fine records at the same price as a trade paperback", which would be half the price of a normal LP...
, entitled Mobile. This album featured a broad range
of compositions for percussion.
With Wilco
Kotche wound up joining Wilco because of Jim O'RourkeJim O'Rourke (musician)
Jim O'Rourke is an Irish-American musician and record producer. He was long associated with the Chicago experimental and improv scene...
, who originally
caught him playing a show with Edith Frost
Edith Frost
Edith Frost is an American singer-songwriter who describes her music as "pensive countrified psychedelia". Born in San Antonio, Texas on August 18, 1964, Frost moved to Brooklyn in 1990 where she played in the country bands the Holler Sisters, the Marfa Lights and Edith and Her Roadhouse Romeos...
. He went on to make
several records with O'Rourke including two Loose Fur albums (O’Rourke, Kotche and Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy
Jeffrey Scot "Jeff" Tweedy is an American songwriter, musician and leader of the band Wilco. Tweedy joined rockabilly band The Plebes with high school friend Jay Farrar in the early 1980s, but Tweedy's musical interests caused one of Farrar's brothers to quit...
). Throughout Kotche's career with Wilco
(Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the fourth album by Chicago-based rock band Wilco. The album was completed in 2001, but Reprise Records, a Warner Music Group label, refused to release it. Wilco acquired the rights to the album when they left the label. In September 2001, Wilco streamed the entire album...
, the Grammy award-winning A Ghost is Born
A Ghost Is Born
A Ghost Is Born is the fifth studio album by Chicago-based alternative rock band Wilco. Released on June 22, 2004, it features singer Jeff Tweedy on lead guitar more than any previous Wilco album...
, The Wilco Book
The Wilco Book
The Wilco Book is an exploration of the artistic statement presented by the band Wilco. Artwork created by the band, photographer Michael Schmelling, and mixed media artist Fred Tomaselli is interspersed with comments from the band, technicians, and managers, as well as essays by Henry Miller and...
companion CD, Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
Kicking Television: Live in Chicago is a live album by Chicago alternative rock band Wilco, released on November 15, 2005 by Nonesuch Records. The album consists of material from four live shows at Chicago's Vic Theater recorded May 4, 2005 to May 7, 2005. Although the band filmed the concerts,...
, Sky Blue Sky
Sky Blue Sky
Sky Blue Sky is the sixth studio album by Chicago rock band Wilco, released on May 15, 2007 by Nonesuch Records. Originally announced on January 17, 2007 at a show in Nashville, Tennessee, it was the band's first studio album with guitarist Nels Cline and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone...
and Wilco (The Album)
Wilco (The Album)
Wilco is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock group Wilco which was released June 30, 2009. Prior to release, Wilco streamed the album on their website...
) and his solo projects, he has treated the drumset as a multiple percussion instrument including home-made instruments, pitched percussion, various found objects such as scrap metal and hubcaps and orchestral instruments.
Other work
Kotche has also collaborated on several other side projects with members of Wilco and others, including an ongoing bandwith Darin Gray
Darin Gray
Darin Gray is an American musician and composer based in Edwardsville, Illinois. He is best known for playing bass in St. Louis' Dazzling Killmen, and with Jim O'Rourke in Brise-Glace and on O'Rourke's solo albums....
called On Fillmore, cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, members of the band Nickel Creek, percussionists David Cossin, Tim Barnes and Chris Corsano, and many others. He has appeared on over 70 recordings to date.
Kotche collaborated with the Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet
Kronos Quartet is a string quartet founded by violinist David Harrington in 1973 in Seattle, Washington. Since 1978, the quartet has been based in San Francisco, California. The longest-running combination of performers had Harrington and John Sherba on violin, Hank Dutt on viola, and Joan...
on a piece written for them along with drumset titled Anomaly, premiered at the San Francisco Jazz Festival
San Francisco Jazz Festival
Debuting in 1983, the San Francisco Jazz Festival is an annual three-week celebration of today's best music, with over 30 concerts. Produced by SFJAZZ, a non-profit organization dedicated to jazz and jazz education...
in October 2007. And in 2011 he worked with So Percussion
So Percussion
So Percussion is an American percussion quartet based in New York City.Composed of Josh Quillen, Adam Sliwinski, Jason Treuting, and Eric Beach, the group is well known for recording and touring internationally and for its work with composers such as Steve Reich, David Lang, Paul Lansky, Martin...
on a series of pieces called Drumkit Quartets as part of Meet the Composer's Three City Dash.
Education
Kotche went to Lake Park High SchoolLake Park High School
Lake Park High School is a public, four-year high school occupying two campuses, both located in Roselle, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Freshmen and sophomores attend the East Campus , located near Medinah and juniors and seniors attend the West Campus. It is part of the Lake Park...
in Roselle, IL, where he was a member of the drum line in the Lake Park Marching Band
Lake Park Marching Band
The Lake Park Marching Band is a US High School competitive marching band based out of Lake Park High School located in Roselle, Illinois USA...
, and later the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
, where he honed his musical skill and technique and obtained a bachelor's degree in music performance. Glenn was also a member of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps
The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps
The Cavaliers are a World Class drum and bugle corps based in Rosemont, Illinois and founded in 1948 by Donald Warren, and are a member corps of Drum Corps International, marching music's major league. The Cavaliers are currently under the direction of Adolph DeGrauwe...
from Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont, Illinois
Rosemont is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States located immediately northwest of Chicago. The village was incorporated in 1956, though it had been settled long before that...
in 1989, playing in the snare line. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from UK's College of Fine Arts in 2007.
Group recordings
WilcoWilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
:
- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
- Wilco Book CD (2003)
- More Like the Moon EP (2003)
- A Ghost Is Born (2004)
- Kicking Television: Live in Chicago (2005)
- Sky Blue Sky (2007)
- Wilco (The Album) (2009)
- The Whole Love (2011)
On Fillmore:
- On Fillmore Wooden Box Set (2001)
- On Fillmore (2002)
- Sleeps with Fishes (2004)
- S&Man - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2006)
- Extended Vacation (2009)
Loose Fur
Loose Fur
Loose Fur is an American rock band comprising Wilco members Jeff Tweedy and Glenn Kotche, and Wilco collaborator Jim O'Rourke. The trio first convened in May 2000 in preparation for a Tweedy performance at a festival in Chicago. Tweedy was offered the opportunity to collaborate with an artist of...
:
- Loose Fur (2003)
- Born Again in the USA (2006)
The Minus 5
The Minus 5
The Minus 5 is an American rock band, headed by musician Scott McCaughey and featuring R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck.-Band history:Formed in 1993, McCaughey designed the Minus 5 as a pop collective, with each record the group put out featuring a new lineup...
:
- Down with Wilco (2003)
- The Gun Album (2006)
Fred Lonberg-Holm Quartet:
- A Valentine for Fred Katz (2001)
- Bridges Freeze Before Roads (2006)
7 Worlds Collide
7 Worlds Collide
7 Worlds Collide is a musical project by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn. The project brings together Finn and other musicians in support of charity....
:
- The Sun Came OutThe Sun Came OutThe Sun Came Out is a charity studio album released on 31 August 2009 by New Zealand singer/songwriter Neil Finn for the benefit of Oxfam. The album was recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios and is a follow up to the 7 Worlds Collide live album of 2001...
(2009)
Appearances
- Simon JoynerSimon JoynerSimon Joyner is a singer-songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Considered by some to be the forefather of the burgeoning Omaha music scene , he has profoundly influenced the music of Bright Eyes. Joyner also collaborated with John Darnielle, of The Mountain Goats, and Beck listed Joyner...
- Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Between (1998) - Jim O'RourkeJim O'Rourke (musician)Jim O'Rourke is an Irish-American musician and record producer. He was long associated with the Chicago experimental and improv scene...
- EurekaEureka (Jim O'Rourke album)Eureka is an album by American musician Jim O'Rourke. It was released on Drag City in 1999. It is named after the 1984 Nicolas Roeg film of the same name. It is one of three albums recorded by O'Rourke that are named after Roeg films....
(1999) - Jim O'RourkeJim O'Rourke (musician)Jim O'Rourke is an Irish-American musician and record producer. He was long associated with the Chicago experimental and improv scene...
- Halfway to a Threeway (2000) - Jim O'RourkeJim O'Rourke (musician)Jim O'Rourke is an Irish-American musician and record producer. He was long associated with the Chicago experimental and improv scene...
- Insignificance (2001) - Bobby ConnBobby ConnBobby Conn is an American musician based in Chicago, Illinois, known for his pop-rock. He often collaborates with other artists such as musicians Colby Starck and Jim O'Rourke, and film-maker Usama Alshaibi. In 2003, Conn produced a session for UK punk band The Cribs, whom he met when they were a...
- The Golden AgeThe Golden Age (Bobby Conn album)The Golden Age is a 2001 album by Chicago-based rocker Bobby Conn, released by the Thrill Jockey label.Conn said that the album "is really about this depressing realization that I managed to extend the teenage years into my mid-30s—that’s happened to a lot of people. American society is structured...
(2001) - StereolabStereolabStereolab are an alternative music band formed in 1990 in London, England. The band originally comprised songwriting team Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier , both of whom remained at the helm across many lineup changes...
- Sound-Dust (2001) - Edith FrostEdith FrostEdith Frost is an American singer-songwriter who describes her music as "pensive countrified psychedelia". Born in San Antonio, Texas on August 18, 1964, Frost moved to Brooklyn in 1990 where she played in the country bands the Holler Sisters, the Marfa Lights and Edith and Her Roadhouse Romeos...
- "Wonder Wonder" (2001) - Chelsea WallsChelsea WallsChelsea Walls is an American independent film directed by Ethan Hawke and released by Lions Gate Entertainment. It stars Kris Kristofferson, Uma Thurman, Rosario Dawson, and Robert Sean Leonard among others, with original score by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. The story takes place in the historic Chelsea...
- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2002) - Jeff TweedyJeff TweedyJeffrey Scot "Jeff" Tweedy is an American songwriter, musician and leader of the band Wilco. Tweedy joined rockabilly band The Plebes with high school friend Jay Farrar in the early 1980s, but Tweedy's musical interests caused one of Farrar's brothers to quit...
- Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest (2006) - Sean WatkinsSean WatkinsSean Charles Watkins is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He is a member of the contemporary folk band Nickel Creek, the duo Fiction Family and the supergroup Works Progress Administration.-Nickel Creek:...
- Blinders OnBlinders OnBlinders On is a 2006 solo album by Sean Watkins. It was released on March 14, 2006. Blinders On is Watkins' third solo album, and his first in three years. The album is not considered bluegrass at all, one critic saying that Blinders On is "pure California road pop"...
(2006) - The Nels Cline SingersThe Nels Cline SingersThe Nels Cline Singers are a free jazz trio led by Nels Cline, following his work in the Nels Cline Trio. They have released four albums on Cryptogramophone Records. Despite the name, there are no singers in the group.-Studio albums:*Instrumentals...
- Draw BreathDraw BreathDraw Breath is the third album released by The Nels Cline Singers in 2007. It combined abrasive musical textures with "The Angel of Angels," which the New York Times called one of the prettiest works of Nels Cline's career.-Track listing:...
(2007) - Philip Selway - Familial (2010)