John Vanderslice
Encyclopedia
John Vanderslice is an American
musician and songwriter
. Previously a member of the band Mk Ultra
, he now records and performs as a solo artist.
During this period, he also founded a recording studio, Tiny Telephone, in the Mission District of San Francisco. Established in 1997, the studio was initially used as a rehearsal space before being developed as a full-time, all-analog recording studio. Bands who have recorded in the studio include Death Cab for Cutie
, Okkervil River, Deerhoof
, The Magnetic Fields
, and Spoon
.
, and briefly gained some national media attention for the single "Bill Gates
Must Die" after concocting a hoax
in which Microsoft
supposedly threatened legal action over the song; Vanderslice then however had trouble manufacturing the CD because the artwork resembled that of a Windows
installation disc, and at least one manufacturer was wary of legal action.
Time Travel is Lonely
and Life and Death of an American Fourtracker
followed in 2001 and 2002 respectively, followed by 2004’s Cellar Door
. Several songs on the 2005 album Pixel Revolt
referenced the September 11, 2001 attacks
and were more overtly political in their lyrical content. His 2007 album, Emerald City, is named after the nickname of the fortified Green Zone
in Baghdad
. "I was so beaten down after the 2000 election and after 9/11 and then the invasion of Iraq, Afghanistan," said Vanderslice. "I was so depleted as a person after all that stuff happened, that I had to write my way out of it. I really had to write political songs because for me it is a way of making sense and processing what is going on."
Emerald City achieved a score of 80/100 on Metacritic
. Entertainment Weekly
called the album "a gleaming gem" that doesn't disappoint. Billboard
s review of the record called Vanderslice an "always perceptive lyricist." Calling Vanderslice a "master story-teller", Matt Fink of Paste
said that Emerald City was "vividly imagined yet subtle in tone, with conflicted character sketches unfolding around somber synth melodies, creaky electronic effects, and fuzzy acoustic guitar strums."
In 2009, he released the album Romanian Names
.
In 2010, Vanderslice released a free EP called Green Grow The Rushes. A full album, White Wilderness
, was released on January 25th, 2011 on Dead Oceans. He recorded the album with Minna Choi and her Magik*Magik Orchestra in three days in Berkeley. It was produced and recorded by John Congleton
.
Vanderslice has often chosen bands to tour with him who have gone on to widespread recognition and critical respect, including Sufjan Stevens
, Okkervil River
, The Tallest Man On Earth
and St. Vincent.
in the production of his recent albums.
On January 30, 2009, Vanderslice collaborated with Magik*Magik Orchestra for a sold-out show at the Great American Music Hall
in San Francisco to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tiny Telephone.
Vanderslice was a contributing producer on the Spoon album, Gimme Fiction
, and also produced The Mountain Goats
albums Heretic Pride
, The Sunset Tree
, and We Shall All Be Healed
. In March and April 2009, John Vanderslice toured alongside The Mountain Goats
’ John Darnielle in the "Gone Primitive Tour". These shows featured Vanderslice and Darnielle each playing acoustic sets and then performing material together.
, whose work is referenced in his song "Promising Actress". His declared musical influences are diverse, ranging from Neutral Milk Hotel
to Public Enemy. He has incorporated the poetry of William Blake
, Percy Shelley, Samuel Taylor Coleridge
and Robert Lowell
into his music. In addition, Vanderslice is a prolific amateur photographer, doing publicity photo shots for Thao Nguyen, The Mountain Goats
, Will Sheff of Okkervil River
, and Mirah
. He has also had his work used in album artwork by Matt Nathanson, Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes
, Mobius Band
, and Vanderslice's own 2009 release, Romanian Names
.
Life and Death of an American Fourtracker
Cellar Door
Pixel Revolt
Emerald City
"Moon Colony Bloodbath"
Romanian Names
White Wilderness
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. Previously a member of the band Mk Ultra
Mk Ultra
Mk Ultra was an American alternative band that played between 1994 and 1999. The group formed in the Bay Area in the early nineties and went on to become a hit in local circles. Mk Ultra's career culminated in a national tour in 1999 but came to a rapid end when guitarist John Tyner decided to...
, he now records and performs as a solo artist.
Early years
Vanderslice grew up in Florida and Georgia, before his family moved to Maryland when he was 11. After playing in several bands in his teenage years, he spent five years as a member of the experimental pop band MK Ultra, with whom he released three albums in the 1990s.During this period, he also founded a recording studio, Tiny Telephone, in the Mission District of San Francisco. Established in 1997, the studio was initially used as a rehearsal space before being developed as a full-time, all-analog recording studio. Bands who have recorded in the studio include Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
, Okkervil River, 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 Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields is the principal creative outlet of singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt...
, and Spoon
Spoon (band)
Spoon is an American rock band formed in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Britt Daniel ; Jim Eno ; Rob Pope and Eric Harvey .-History:...
.
Solo career
In 2000, Vanderslice released his first solo album, Mass Suicide Occult FigurinesMass Suicide Occult Figurines
Mass Suicide Occult Figurines is the debut album by John Vanderslice, released in 2000. It is named after a line in Neutral Milk Hotel's "Song Against Sex."-Track listing:#"Confusion Boats"#"Speed Lab"#"Bill Gates Must Die"#"Ambition"...
, and briefly gained some national media attention for the single "Bill Gates
Bill Gates
William Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...
Must Die" after concocting a hoax
Hoax
A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, or rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences or April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.-Definition:The British...
in which Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
supposedly threatened legal action over the song; Vanderslice then however had trouble manufacturing the CD because the artwork resembled that of a Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
installation disc, and at least one manufacturer was wary of legal action.
Time Travel is Lonely
Time Travel Is Lonely
Time Travel Is Lonely is the second album by John Vanderslice, released in 2001. Time Travel Is Lonely is a concept album about Vanderslice's fictional brother Jesse Vanderslice as he slowly succumbs to polar madness while living in Antarctica....
and Life and Death of an American Fourtracker
Life and Death of an American Fourtracker
Life and Death of an American Fourtracker was the third album by John Vanderslice, released in 2002.-Track listing:All songs by John Vanderslice unless otherwise noted#"Fiend in a Cloud" #"Me and My 424"#"Underneath the Leaves"...
followed in 2001 and 2002 respectively, followed by 2004’s Cellar Door
Cellar Door (album)
Cellar Door is the fourth album by John Vanderslice, released in 2004. The name of this album is notable, as "cellar door" is one of the most beautiful phrases in the English language, according to J.R.R. Tolkien. The album contains a few songs based on recent films...
. Several songs on the 2005 album Pixel Revolt
Pixel Revolt
Pixel Revolt is an album by American singer-songwriter John Vanderslice. It was released August 23, 2005. In addition to the normal track listing, a track titled "The Kingdom" can be found on the Japanese and vinyl versions of the record...
referenced the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
and were more overtly political in their lyrical content. His 2007 album, Emerald City, is named after the nickname of the fortified Green Zone
Green Zone
The Green Zone is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is a area of central Baghdad, Iraq, that was the governmental center of the Coalition Provisional Authority and remains the center of the international presence in the city...
in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
. "I was so beaten down after the 2000 election and after 9/11 and then the invasion of Iraq, Afghanistan," said Vanderslice. "I was so depleted as a person after all that stuff happened, that I had to write my way out of it. I really had to write political songs because for me it is a way of making sense and processing what is going on."
Emerald City achieved a score of 80/100 on Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
. Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
called the album "a gleaming gem" that doesn't disappoint. Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s review of the record called Vanderslice an "always perceptive lyricist." Calling Vanderslice a "master story-teller", Matt Fink of Paste
Paste (magazine)
Paste is a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine published in the United States by Wolfgang's Vault. Its tagline is "Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture."-History:...
said that Emerald City was "vividly imagined yet subtle in tone, with conflicted character sketches unfolding around somber synth melodies, creaky electronic effects, and fuzzy acoustic guitar strums."
In 2009, he released the album Romanian Names
Romanian Names
Romanian Names is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter John Vanderslice. It was released in the United States on May 19, 2009.-Critical praise:...
.
In 2010, Vanderslice released a free EP called Green Grow The Rushes. A full album, White Wilderness
White Wilderness
White Wilderness is an Academy Award-winning nature documentary produced by Walt Disney Productions in 1958 noted for its splendid visuals as well as its propagation of the myth of lemming suicide....
, was released on January 25th, 2011 on Dead Oceans. He recorded the album with Minna Choi and her Magik*Magik Orchestra in three days in Berkeley. It was produced and recorded by John Congleton
John Congleton
John Congleton John Congleton John Congleton (born April 5, 1977 in Lubbock, Texas, United States, is best known as a Grammy-nominated producer/engineer/mixer who made a name for himself in the alternative rock underground via production of his own band, The Paper Chase, and for many other artists...
.
Vanderslice has often chosen bands to tour with him who have gone on to widespread recognition and critical respect, including Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
, Okkervil River
Okkervil River
Okkervil River is an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. They self-released their first album, Stars Too Small to Use, which led them to the South by Southwest music festival. After recording their first...
, The Tallest Man On Earth
The Tallest Man on Earth
Kristian Matsson is a singer-songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden. Since 2006, he has released two full-length albums and two EPs...
and St. Vincent.
Recording technique and collaborations
Vanderslice is a proponent of using analog instruments and recording equipment to produce a richer, more raw sound which he has sometimes called "sloppy hi-fi". He has collaborated closely with Scott SolterScott Solter
Scott Solter is a recording engineer, record producer, mixer, remixer and musician. As a producer and mixer, Solter has worked with numerous indie rock artists, including John Vanderslice, Superchunk, Okkervil River, The Mountain Goats, Erik Friedlander, The Balustrade Ensemble, Pattern is...
in the production of his recent albums.
On January 30, 2009, Vanderslice collaborated with Magik*Magik Orchestra for a sold-out show at the Great American Music Hall
Great American Music Hall
The Great American Music Hall is a concert hall in San Francisco, California. It is located on O'Farrell Street in the Tenderloin neighborhood on the same block as the Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theater...
in San Francisco to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tiny Telephone.
Vanderslice was a contributing producer on the Spoon album, Gimme Fiction
Gimme Fiction
Gimme Fiction is the fifth album from Austin, Texas indie rock band Spoon, released on May 10, 2005. It debuted at #44 on the Billboard 200. "I Turn My Camera On" has been released as a single, and garnered some radio-play. Some versions of the album also come with a bonus disc. "Sister Jack" was...
, and also produced The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
albums Heretic Pride
Heretic Pride
Heretic Pride, is the eleventh studio album by the Mountain Goats, released on February 19, 2008 by 4AD, their sixth album on the label. The album was produced by Scott Solter and John Vanderslice.-Notes:...
, The Sunset Tree
The Sunset Tree
The Sunset Tree is the ninth studio album by the Mountain Goats, released on April 26, 2005 by 4AD.-Notes:While We Shall All Be Healed focused on Darnielle's years as a teenager involved with other methamphetamine users, The Sunset Tree focuses on his childhood, and a recurring theme is domestic...
, and We Shall All Be Healed
We Shall All Be Healed
We Shall All Be Healed is a 2004 album by The Mountain Goats. The album focuses on semi-fictional accounts of band leader John Darnielle's years as a teenager, particularly his friends' and acquaintances' experiences in California and in Portland, Oregon as methamphetamine addicts...
. In March and April 2009, John Vanderslice toured alongside The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
’ John Darnielle in the "Gone Primitive Tour". These shows featured Vanderslice and Darnielle each playing acoustic sets and then performing material together.
Influences and interests
He is influenced by film and is a fan of David LynchDavid Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
, whose work is referenced in his song "Promising Actress". His declared musical influences are diverse, ranging from Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
to Public Enemy. He has incorporated the poetry of William Blake
William Blake
William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age...
, Percy Shelley, Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, Romantic, literary critic and philosopher who, with his friend William Wordsworth, was a founder of the Romantic Movement in England and a member of the Lake Poets. He is probably best known for his poems The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla...
and Robert Lowell
Robert Lowell
Robert Traill Spence Lowell IV was an American poet, considered the founder of the confessional poetry movement. He was appointed the sixth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress where he served from 1947 until 1948...
into his music. In addition, Vanderslice is a prolific amateur photographer, doing publicity photo shots for Thao Nguyen, The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
, Will Sheff of Okkervil River
Okkervil River
Okkervil River is an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. They self-released their first album, Stars Too Small to Use, which led them to the South by Southwest music festival. After recording their first...
, and Mirah
Mirah
Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn , is an American musician based in San Francisco California. She has released five albums under the K Records label.- Background :...
. He has also had his work used in album artwork by Matt Nathanson, Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes
Frog Eyes
Frog Eyes is an indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada known for their highly idiosyncratic songs, which pit Carey Mercer's melodic falsetto whoops against an avalanche of guitar, keyboards, piano, and drums. Their 2010 album Paul's Tomb: A Triumph was a longlisted nominee for the...
, Mobius Band
Mobius Band
Mobius Band is an electronic rock trio from Brooklyn, New York consisting of Noam Schatz , Peter Sax , and Ben Sterling .-History:...
, and Vanderslice's own 2009 release, Romanian Names
Romanian Names
Romanian Names is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter John Vanderslice. It was released in the United States on May 19, 2009.-Critical praise:...
.
Discography
- Mass Suicide Occult FigurinesMass Suicide Occult FigurinesMass Suicide Occult Figurines is the debut album by John Vanderslice, released in 2000. It is named after a line in Neutral Milk Hotel's "Song Against Sex."-Track listing:#"Confusion Boats"#"Speed Lab"#"Bill Gates Must Die"#"Ambition"...
(2000) - Time Travel Is LonelyTime Travel Is LonelyTime Travel Is Lonely is the second album by John Vanderslice, released in 2001. Time Travel Is Lonely is a concept album about Vanderslice's fictional brother Jesse Vanderslice as he slowly succumbs to polar madness while living in Antarctica....
(2001) - Life and Death of an American FourtrackerLife and Death of an American FourtrackerLife and Death of an American Fourtracker was the third album by John Vanderslice, released in 2002.-Track listing:All songs by John Vanderslice unless otherwise noted#"Fiend in a Cloud" #"Me and My 424"#"Underneath the Leaves"...
(2002) - Cellar DoorCellar Door (album)Cellar Door is the fourth album by John Vanderslice, released in 2004. The name of this album is notable, as "cellar door" is one of the most beautiful phrases in the English language, according to J.R.R. Tolkien. The album contains a few songs based on recent films...
(2004)- MGM Endings: Cellar Door Remixes (2004)
- Pixel RevoltPixel RevoltPixel Revolt is an album by American singer-songwriter John Vanderslice. It was released August 23, 2005. In addition to the normal track listing, a track titled "The Kingdom" can be found on the Japanese and vinyl versions of the record...
(2005)- Suddenly It All Went Dark: Pixel Revolt Live to 2-Track (2006)
- Scott Solter Remixes Pixel Revolt in Analog (2007)
- Emerald City (2007)
- Moon Colony BloodbathMoon Colony BloodbathMoon Colony Bloodbath, is an EP released while on tour in 2009. It was recorded by John Darnielle and John Vanderslice, with a cover art collage by Michael Pajon...
- vinyl EP (with the Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
) (2009) - Romanian NamesRomanian NamesRomanian Names is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter John Vanderslice. It was released in the United States on May 19, 2009.-Critical praise:...
(2009) - Too Much Time - 7" (Dead OceansDead OceansDead Oceans is an independent record label based jointly in Bloomington, Indiana and Austin, Texas. The label has a small, but powerful roster of well-known acts including Akron/Family, John Vanderslice, Califone, Phosphorescent, Bishop Allen, Casey Dienel's band White Hinterland, Bowerbirds, and...
, 2009) - D.I.A.L.O. - 7" (Dead OceansDead OceansDead Oceans is an independent record label based jointly in Bloomington, Indiana and Austin, Texas. The label has a small, but powerful roster of well-known acts including Akron/Family, John Vanderslice, Califone, Phosphorescent, Bishop Allen, Casey Dienel's band White Hinterland, Bowerbirds, and...
, 2010) - Green Grow The Rushes - (2010)
- White Wilderness - (with The Magik*Magik Orchestra) (2011)
Tour history
Time Travel is Lonely- Spring 2001 SW Tour (supporting Death Cab for CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
) - Summer West Coast (supporting SpoonSpoon (band)Spoon is an American rock band formed in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Britt Daniel ; Jim Eno ; Rob Pope and Eric Harvey .-History:...
) - Fall 2001 US Tour
Life and Death of an American Fourtracker
- Winter 2002 Tour (supporting The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
) - Summer 2002 US Tour
- Fall 2002 US Tour (supporting SpoonSpoon (band)Spoon is an American rock band formed in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Britt Daniel ; Jim Eno ; Rob Pope and Eric Harvey .-History:...
and Dismemberment Plan) - Fall 2002 US Tour "All Hail West Texas" (supporting The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
) - Summer 2003 US Tour (supporting Jets To Brazil)
- Japan Tour Fall 2003 w/ Quruli and Dismemberment Plan
- Fall 2003 US Tour "Coast Is Never Clear" (supporting BeulahBeulahBeulah is a female given name from the Hebrew word meaning "married", and may refer to:-People:*Beulah , UK-based female singer-songwriter*Beulah Bondi , American actress...
)
Cellar Door
- Japan Tour Winter 2004
- Winter 2004 "Cellar Door" US Tour (with Okkervil RiverOkkervil RiverOkkervil River is an indie rock band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. They self-released their first album, Stars Too Small to Use, which led them to the South by Southwest music festival. After recording their first...
and Sufjan StevensSufjan StevensSufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
supporting) - Summer 2004 US Tour (supporting Pedro the Lion)
- Fall 2004 US Tour "We Shall All Be Healed" (supporting The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
)
Pixel Revolt
- Japan Tour Summer 2005
- "My Aim Is Only True When I'm Aiming At You" US Solo Tour, Summer 2005
- John Vanderslice and Photographs "I've been living in a k-hole" US 2005 Fall Tour
- European Tour 2005 with Nada SurfNada SurfNada Surf is an American alternative rock band. Formed in 1992, the New York band consists of Matthew Caws , Ira Elliot and Daniel Lorca .-Early years:...
- European Tour Spring 2005 with Death Cab for CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
- "Getting it on with the hangman's daughter" US Spring 2006 Tour (with Laura Viers supporting)
- John Vanderslice and Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday European Tour Fall 2006
- Summer 2007 Australia Tour "Get Lonely" (supporting The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
) - John Vanderslice and Suburban Kids w/ Biblical Names Spring US Tour (with St. Vincent)
Emerald City
- Emerald City Fall US Tour (with Bishop Allen supporting)
- Fall 2007 European Tour
- Spring 2008 European Tour
- Spring 2008 US Tour (supporting Stephen Malkmus and the JicksStephen Malkmus and the JicksStephen Malkmus and the Jicks is a rock band consisting of Stephen Malkmus, Mike Clark, Joanna Bolme, and Jake Morris. Malkmus was the main singer and songwriter behind the influential 1990s indie rock band Pavement.-History:...
)
"Moon Colony Bloodbath"
- Spring 2009 US Solo Tour "Gone Primitive" with The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
Romanian Names
- Summer 2009 US Tour (with Tallest Man On Earth and The Morning BendersThe Morning BendersThe Morning Benders are an indie rock band from Berkeley, California, now based in Brooklyn, New York.In 2008, they released their debut album Talking Through Tin Cans on +1 Records...
supporting) - "Steady The Bow" Fall 2009 European Tour
- Fall 2010 "Undercard" Tour (supporting Extra Lens)
White Wilderness
- 2011 SXSW Tour
- "White Wilderness" Spring US Tour (with Damien JuradoDamien JuradoDamien Jurado is an American indie rock singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Over the years he has released albums on many labels; today, his primary label is Secretly Canadian.-Music career:...
supporting) - "I Couldn't Wait To Fall Off The Map" Fall 2011 European Tour
Notable Performances
- On March 17, 2000, Vanderslice played his first solo show, opening up for Bob MouldBob MouldRobert Arthur "Bob" Mould is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s.-Early life:...
, The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
, and Thingy at Bimbo's, San Francisco, CA. - On August 27, 2003 Vanderslice joined QuruliQuruliis a popular Japanese music group formed in 1996. As of March 2007, the lineup consists of Masashi Satoh and Shigeru Kishida. Their music is produced and distributed by Victor Entertainment.- Career :...
and Dismemberment Plan on stage at Namba Hatch in Osaka, Japan. - On September 12, 2005 Vanderslice performed live on Soundcheck with cellist Erik FriedlanderErik FriedlanderErik Friedlander is an American cellist and composer based in New York City.A veteran of NYC's experimental downtown scene, Friedlander has worked in many contexts, but is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with saxophonist/composer John Zorn...
New York's NPR affiliate, WNYCWNYCWNYC is a set of call letters shared by a pair of co-owned, non-profit, public radio stations located in New York City.WNYC broadcasts on the AM band at 820 kHz, and WNYC-FM is at 93.9 MHz. Both stations are members of National Public Radio and carry distinct, but similar news/talk programs...
. - On May 14, 2005 Vanderslice joined The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
to perform songs from The Sunset Tree on NPR's Weekend Edition. - On March 6, 2006, Vanderslice joined Death Cab for CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
onstage at the Melkveg in Amsterdam. - On December 31, 2006, Vanderslice performed with The Mountain GoatsThe Mountain GoatsThe Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
at the Falls FestivalFalls FestivalThe Falls Festival is a New Year's Eve music festival, held annually in Lorne, Victoria and Marion Bay, Tasmania Australia since 1993.It lasts four days, from 29 December to 1 January each year. The headline acts play mostly over two evenings, 30 December and 31 December...
in Lorne, Victoria and Marion Bay, Tasmania. - On May 18, 2007, Vanderslice sang "Such Great Heights" at the Fillmore, San Francisco with Ben GibbardBen GibbardBenjamin "Ben" Gibbard is an American musician known as a member of several successful indie rock bands. He is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, and is also known for his project ¡All-Time Quarterback! and his first band, Pinwheel.-Personal life and career:Gibbard was...
and Jenny LewisJenny LewisJennifer Diane Lewis , is an American singer-songwriter musician and actress. She was the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and has released two solo albums. She currently performs as part of the duo Jenny & Johnny with boyfriend Johnathan Rice...
. - On July 29, 2007, Vanderslice performed "Live at the Fremont Drawbridge" where songs from Emerald City were accompanied by the Fremont Bridge bells in Seattle, WA.
- On Dec 7, 2007, Vanderslice played with The Liars and DeerhunterDeerhunterDeerhunter is an American four-piece indie rock group originating from Atlanta, Georgia. The band, consisting of Bradford Cox, Moses Archuleta, Josh Fauver, and Lockett Pundt, have described themselves as "ambient punk," though they incorporate a wide range of genres, including noise rock, art...
at Primavera Sound FestivalPrimavera Sound FestivalSan 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...
in Barcelona, Spain. - On September 1, 2008, Vanderslice performed the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle, WA with Beck and The Black Keys.
- On September 21, 2008, Vanderslice played at Treasure Island Music Festival with SpiritualizedSpiritualizedSpiritualized are an English space rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Jason Pierce after the demise of his previous outfit, space-rockers Spacemen 3...
and Tegan and SaraTegan and SaraTegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin . Both Tegan and Sara play guitar and keyboard and write songs.-History:...
. - On October 18, 2008, Vanderslice played the grand opening of 92YTribeca in New York, NY with Michael ShowalterMichael ShowalterMichael English Showalter is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. He is a member of the sketch comedy trio Stella. Showalter first came to recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995...
. - On January 30, 2009, Vanderslice played a show with Magik*Magik Orchestra at San Francisco's Great American Music HallGreat American Music HallThe Great American Music Hall is a concert hall in San Francisco, California. It is located on O'Farrell Street in the Tenderloin neighborhood on the same block as the Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theater...
to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Tiny Telephone. - On May 24, 2009, Vanderslice played the Sasquatch! Music FestivalSasquatch! Music FestivalSasquatch! 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...
in Quincy, WA with Animal Collective, Bon Iver, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. - On August 30, 2009, Vanderslice played at Outside Lands Music and Arts FestivalOutside Lands Music and Arts FestivalThe Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival is a music festival held annually in San Francisco, California at Golden Gate Park. The first edition occurred August 22–24 in 2008, and included over 60 musical acts from around the world, as well as several art installations...
in San Francisco, CA with Modest Mouse, TV on the Radio, and Calexico. - On September 22-24, 2008, Vanderslice joined SpoonSpoon (band)Spoon is an American rock band formed in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Britt Daniel ; Jim Eno ; Rob Pope and Eric Harvey .-History:...
on guitar and vocals for their residency at San Francisco's Fillmore. - On June 17, 2011, Vanderslice performed with a 35-piece configuration of the Magik*Magik Orchestra at San Francisco's Herbst TheatreHerbst TheatreThe Herbst Theatre is an auditorium in the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in Civic Center in San Francisco, United States. The 928-seat hall hosts programs as diverse as City Arts & Lectures, SF Jazz, and San Francisco Performances....
to celebrate the release of White Wilderness. - On July 16, 2011, Tiny Telephone and The Bay Bridged presented Phono Del Sol, a yearly San Francisco music festival featuring Aesop RockAesop RockIan Matthias Bavitz , better known by his stage name Aesop Rock, is an American hip hop artist and producer. He was at the forefront of the new wave of underground and alternative hip hop acts that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was signed to El-P's Definitive Jux label until it...
, MirahMirahMirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn , is an American musician based in San Francisco California. She has released five albums under the K Records label.- Background :...
, and Man/Miracle.