Mark Kozelek
Encyclopedia
Mark Kozelek is an American
singer/songwriter Producer
and frontman of Sun Kil Moon
and Red House Painters
.
. Upon relocating to Atlanta, Georgia
, he met drummer Anthony Koutsos. After the pair moved once again to San Francisco, California
, Red House Painters
formed with the addition of guitarist Gorden Mack and bassist Jerry Vessel. From 1992 to 1996, Red House Painters
released a series of acclaimed albums, showcasing Kozelek's intense, highly autobiographical songs.
However, Kozelek's parting with the record label 4AD
, followed by a major label merger which left Red House Painters
' 1998 album Old Ramon
on the shelf, proved highly frustrating and stifled the group's momentum. Kozelek opted to occupy himself with a series of idiosyncratic solo recordings as Red House Painters dissolved.
In 2000, he released the solo EP Rock 'n' Roll Singer
, which featured three original songs as well as covers of John Denver
's "Around and Around" and three AC/DC
songs ("Rock 'n' Roll Singer," "Bad Boy Boogie," and "You Ain't Got a Hold on Me"). Two of the AC/DC cover versions on Rock 'n' Roll Singer were radical re-arrangements of the originals which removed the Bon Scott
-penned lyrics from their hard rock context and placed them into gentle, acoustic "folk ballad" settings.
Kozelek expanded on this idea in 2001, releasing a full-length album comprised solely of AC/DC covers titled What's Next to the Moon
. These new arrangements sounded so unlike the originals that a KCRW
radio executive insisted that the title track was a Leonard Cohen
song.
This was not the first time Kozelek had drastically re-arranged others' material to his own ends. With Red House Painters
, he had previously done similar reconstructions with Simon & Garfunkel's "I Am a Rock," The Cars
' "All Mixed Up," Yes
's "Long Distance Runaround," Paul McCartney
's "Silly Love Songs," and Francis Scott Key
's "The Star-Spangled Banner
."
In the years between his band projects, Kozelek's music made a number of appearances on compilations and tribute albums. He contributed the song "New Partner" to the Will Oldham
(a.k.a. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
) tribute album, I Am Cold Rock. I Am Dull Grass Around this time, Kozelek commandeered a tribute album to John Denver
, entitled Take Me Home: A Tribute to John Denver, featuring Will Oldham
, The Innocence Mission
, and Low
to name a few. The compilation also featured Kozelek covering "Around and Around" as a duet with Rachel Goswell
.
A limited edition live recording, White Christmas Live
, was released by the Sub Pop
label in late 2001. In addition to his solo material, it featured several Red House Painters
songs done in a stripped-down, acoustic guitar-and-vocals style, and one a cappella
rendition. An early version of his current project Sun Kil Moon
's "Lily and Parrots" is tacked on to the end as an uncredited bonus track. It also features one previously unreleased song, "Admiral Fell Promises."
Sun Kil Moon debuted with Ghosts of the Great Highway
in 2003, and also features former RHP members Jerry Vessel and Anthony Koutsos as well as new collaborators Geoff Stanfield (formerly of Black Lab
) and Tim Mooney of American Music Club
. Their follow-up effort appeared in 2005 on Kozelek's newly formed label, Caldo Verde Records
. Titled Tiny Cities
, the album is made up entirely of covers of songs by Modest Mouse
. Once again, Kozelek's cover versions varied greatly from the originals.
In 2006, Kozelek was invited by Toronto indie rock
label Paper Bag Records
to exclusively contribute to their
See You on the Moon! Songs for Kids of All Ages
compilation with his original song "Leo and Luna." Then in November 2006, Kozelek released a live album titled Little Drummer Boy Live
. On the album's two discs, he plays songs from his solo career, covers, and material from the catalogs of both Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon.
Kozelek returned in 2008 with the release of Sun Kil Moon
's third album April. The album features 11 brand new recordings, including guest vocal contributions by Ben Gibbard
, Will Oldham
, and Eric Pollard.
The release of the new album also brought the re-issue of Nights of Passed Over, a 256-page, hard-cover book of all the lyrics to Kozelek's solo songs, Red House Painters' songs, and Sun Kil Moon's songs. It also features setlists, handwritten lyrics, and a preface by Kozelek himself. The original edition of this book was released in 2002 in Portugal
, and featured all the lyrics up to that point, printed in both English and Portuguese. The updated edition spans to his current Sun Kil Moon days, and the book also includes a 12-track bonus CD, titled Nights LP
, featuring live and rare versions of songs dated 1996 to 2007. The edition is sold exclusively on his label's
website link and is limited to 2,500 copies.
On December 9, 2008, Kozelek and Caldo Verde Records issued The Finally LP
, a CD collection of 10 unreleased tracks, including covers of songs by Stephen Sondheim
, Will Oldham
, Hüsker Dü
, and Low
among others, as well as two previously unreleased instrumentals. Two newly-recorded live albums, Find Me, Ruben Olivares: Live in Spain
and Lost Verses Live
, followed in spring 2009.
On April 23, 2010, the release of Sun Kil Moon's fourth album, Admiral Fell Promises
, was announced. The album was released on July 13, 2010.
A documentary film entitled "Mark Kozelek: On Tour" was released via Caldo Verde Records on August 16, 2011. The movie was filmed during portions Mark Kozelek's European/North American tours of 2010 and early 2011.
and Sun Kil Moon
as well as his solo releases, produced the debut album by friend and Low
singer-guitarist Alan Sparhawk
, in Sparhawk's side-project Retribution Gospel Choir
.
cast him in Almost Famous
(1999) as Larry Fellows (the bass player in Stillwater), and Vanilla Sky
(2001). In 2005, he appeared in Steve Martin
's film Shopgirl
, playing a musician who befriends and mentors Jason Schwartzman
's character. Kozelek also performed "Lily and Parrots" (a Sun Kil Moon song) live in the film.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer/songwriter Producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and frontman of Sun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon is a music project of singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek, best known for his previous band Red House Painters. Sun Kil Moon sees Kozelek undertake the writing, composing, singing, and guitar playing, accompanied by Tim Mooney and Anthony Koutsos on drums, and Geoff Stanfield on bass...
and Red House Painters
Red House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
.
History
Mark Kozelek was born and raised in Massillon, OhioMassillon, Ohio
Massillon is a city located in Stark County in the U.S. state of Ohio, approximately 8 miles to the west of Canton, Ohio, 20 miles south of Akron, Ohio, and 50 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio. The population was 32,149 at the 2010 census....
. Upon relocating to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, he met drummer Anthony Koutsos. After the pair moved once again to San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, Red House Painters
Red House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
formed with the addition of guitarist Gorden Mack and bassist Jerry Vessel. From 1992 to 1996, Red House Painters
Red House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
released a series of acclaimed albums, showcasing Kozelek's intense, highly autobiographical songs.
However, Kozelek's parting with the record label 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...
, followed by a major label merger which left Red House Painters
Red House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
' 1998 album Old Ramon
Old Ramon
Old Ramon is the final album released by folk rock band Red House Painters. Originally completed in 1998, Mark Kozelek had to wait until 2001 to release the album. The band had previously been signed to Island/Supreme Records, but a series of major label mergers in the late '90s left the band...
on the shelf, proved highly frustrating and stifled the group's momentum. Kozelek opted to occupy himself with a series of idiosyncratic solo recordings as Red House Painters dissolved.
In 2000, he released the solo EP Rock 'n' Roll Singer
Rock 'n' Roll Singer
Rock 'n' Roll Singer is the debut solo EP from Mark Kozelek. The EP was released on June 13, 2000, and was released while Kozelek's final album with his previous band Red House Painters was in limbo with record label mergers...
, which featured three original songs as well as covers of John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
's "Around and Around" and three AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
songs ("Rock 'n' Roll Singer," "Bad Boy Boogie," and "You Ain't Got a Hold on Me"). Two of the AC/DC cover versions on Rock 'n' Roll Singer were radical re-arrangements of the originals which removed the Bon Scott
Bon Scott
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known for being the lead singer and lyricist of Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980...
-penned lyrics from their hard rock context and placed them into gentle, acoustic "folk ballad" settings.
Kozelek expanded on this idea in 2001, releasing a full-length album comprised solely of AC/DC covers titled What's Next to the Moon
What's Next to the Moon (album)
What's Next to the Moon is a solo album by Mark Kozelek, released on January 10, 2001. The album is composed entirely of drastically rearranged acoustic covers of Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs...
. These new arrangements sounded so unlike the originals that a KCRW
KCRW
KCRW is a public radio station broadcasting from the campus of Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California, carrying a mix of National Public Radio news, talk radio and freeform music format. The general manager of KCRW is Jennifer Ferro...
radio executive insisted that the title track was a Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
song.
This was not the first time Kozelek had drastically re-arranged others' material to his own ends. With Red House Painters
Red House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
, he had previously done similar reconstructions with Simon & Garfunkel's "I Am a Rock," The Cars
The Cars
The Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
' "All Mixed Up," Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
's "Long Distance Runaround," 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...
's "Silly Love Songs," and Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".-Life:...
's "The Star-Spangled Banner
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
."
In the years between his band projects, Kozelek's music made a number of appearances on compilations and tribute albums. He contributed the song "New Partner" to the Will Oldham
Will Oldham
Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
(a.k.a. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Will Oldham
Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
) tribute album, I Am Cold Rock. I Am Dull Grass Around this time, Kozelek commandeered a tribute album to John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
, entitled Take Me Home: A Tribute to John Denver, featuring Will Oldham
Will Oldham
Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
, The Innocence Mission
The Innocence Mission
The Innocence Mission is an American alternative rock band centered on husband-and-wife singer-songwriters Karen and Don Peris. The original group, including Mike Bitts and Steve Brown , was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 1980s when the members met during a Catholic school...
, and Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
to name a few. The compilation also featured Kozelek covering "Around and Around" as a duet with Rachel Goswell
Rachel Goswell
Rachel Goswell is a singer-songwriter who was a vocalist with shoegazing pioneers Slowdive. Goswell, along with Neil Halstead, Ian McCutcheon and former Chapterhouse member Simon Rowe became Mojave 3 when Slowdive transitioned to a more country/folk rock style...
.
A limited edition live recording, White Christmas Live
White Christmas Live
White Christmas Live is a live album by Mark Kozelek. It was recorded during three shows in November and December 2000 in Stockholm, Sweden; Göteborg, Sweden; and Oslo, Norway. The album was released by Sub Pop in the US only and was limited to 5,000 copies...
, was released by the 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...
label in late 2001. In addition to his solo material, it featured several Red House Painters
Red House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
songs done in a stripped-down, acoustic guitar-and-vocals style, and one a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
rendition. An early version of his current project Sun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon is a music project of singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek, best known for his previous band Red House Painters. Sun Kil Moon sees Kozelek undertake the writing, composing, singing, and guitar playing, accompanied by Tim Mooney and Anthony Koutsos on drums, and Geoff Stanfield on bass...
's "Lily and Parrots" is tacked on to the end as an uncredited bonus track. It also features one previously unreleased song, "Admiral Fell Promises."
Sun Kil Moon debuted with Ghosts of the Great Highway
Ghosts of the Great Highway
Ghosts of the Great Highway is the 2003 debut album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album...
in 2003, and also features former RHP members Jerry Vessel and Anthony Koutsos as well as new collaborators Geoff Stanfield (formerly of Black Lab
Black Lab
Black Lab is an alternative rock band founded in Berkeley, California and currently based in Los Angeles and Montana.They released one album on Geffen Records, entitled Your Body Above Me, and scored two rock radio hits in the US, "Wash It Away" in 1997 and "Time Ago" in 1998...
) and Tim Mooney of American Music Club
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
. Their follow-up effort appeared in 2005 on Kozelek's newly formed label, Caldo Verde Records
Caldo Verde Records
Caldo Verde Records is a San Francisco-based indie rock and folk record label founded by Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon frontman Mark Kozelek in 2005. The label primarily features releases by Kozelek and Sun Kil Moon, but has also released albums by Jesu, Corrina Repp, Retribution Gospel...
. Titled Tiny Cities
Tiny Cities
Tiny Cities is the second album by Mark Kozelek's Sun Kil Moon, released November 1, 2005. It features the same lineup from their debut release, Ghosts of the Great Highway. This album was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005 .The full-length album is composed of covers of...
, the album is made up entirely of covers of songs by 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...
. Once again, Kozelek's cover versions varied greatly from the originals.
In 2006, Kozelek was invited by Toronto 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...
label Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
to exclusively contribute to their
See You on the Moon! Songs for Kids of All Ages
See You on the Moon!
See You on the Moon!: Songs for Kids of All Ages is a compilation album, released in 2006 on Paper Bag Records. The album features a number of indie rock artists, mostly but not exclusively from Canada, performing songs written in the style of children's songs.Most tracks are original songs written...
compilation with his original song "Leo and Luna." Then in November 2006, Kozelek released a live album titled Little Drummer Boy Live
Little Drummer Boy Live
Little Drummer Boy Live is a double live collection by Mark Kozelek, released by his own label Caldo Verde Records on November 28, 2006. Former Red House Painters guitarist Phil Carney guests on guitar on some of the songs...
. On the album's two discs, he plays songs from his solo career, covers, and material from the catalogs of both Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon.
Kozelek returned in 2008 with the release of Sun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon is a music project of singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek, best known for his previous band Red House Painters. Sun Kil Moon sees Kozelek undertake the writing, composing, singing, and guitar playing, accompanied by Tim Mooney and Anthony Koutsos on drums, and Geoff Stanfield on bass...
's third album April. The album features 11 brand new recordings, including guest vocal contributions by Ben Gibbard
Ben Gibbard
Benjamin "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...
, Will Oldham
Will Oldham
Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
, and Eric Pollard.
The release of the new album also brought the re-issue of Nights of Passed Over, a 256-page, hard-cover book of all the lyrics to Kozelek's solo songs, Red House Painters' songs, and Sun Kil Moon's songs. It also features setlists, handwritten lyrics, and a preface by Kozelek himself. The original edition of this book was released in 2002 in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, and featured all the lyrics up to that point, printed in both English and Portuguese. The updated edition spans to his current Sun Kil Moon days, and the book also includes a 12-track bonus CD, titled Nights LP
Nights LP
Nights LP is a limited edition compilation album by Mark Kozelek, released on April 1, 2008 in conjunction with the release of Kozelek's updated and expanded lyrics book Nights of Passed Over...
, featuring live and rare versions of songs dated 1996 to 2007. The edition is sold exclusively on his label's
Caldo Verde Records
Caldo Verde Records is a San Francisco-based indie rock and folk record label founded by Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon frontman Mark Kozelek in 2005. The label primarily features releases by Kozelek and Sun Kil Moon, but has also released albums by Jesu, Corrina Repp, Retribution Gospel...
website link and is limited to 2,500 copies.
On December 9, 2008, Kozelek and Caldo Verde Records issued The Finally LP
The Finally LP
The Finally LP is a compilation album by Mark Kozelek. The CD was released on December 9, 2008 via Caldo Verde Records. According to the Caldo Verde website:...
, a CD collection of 10 unreleased tracks, including covers of songs by Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Joshua Sondheim is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award...
, Will Oldham
Will Oldham
Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
, Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
, and Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
among others, as well as two previously unreleased instrumentals. Two newly-recorded live albums, Find Me, Ruben Olivares: Live in Spain
Find Me, Ruben Olivares: Live in Spain
Find Me, Ruben Olivares: Live in Spain is the first of two new live albums released in spring 2009 by Mark Kozelek. Find Me, Ruben Olivares was made available starting from April 1, 2009, available as a free gift with any order of a CD, t-shirt or vinyl purchased from Caldo Verde Records' website,...
and Lost Verses Live
Lost Verses Live
Lost Verses Live is the second of two new live albums released in spring 2009 by Mark Kozelek. Lost Verses Live was released on May 12, 2009. A limited edition vinyl pressing includes the exclusive live bonus tracks "I Am a Rock," "Last Tide," and "Floating," and was released in October 2009...
, followed in spring 2009.
On April 23, 2010, the release of Sun Kil Moon's fourth album, Admiral Fell Promises
Admiral Fell Promises
Admiral Fell Promises is the third album of original material, and fourth overall, from Sun Kil Moon. The album was released on July 13, 2010 through Caldo Verde Records. Despite being released under the Sun Kil Moon moniker, the album is just Mark Kozelek solo on acoustic nylon-string guitar...
, was announced. The album was released on July 13, 2010.
A documentary film entitled "Mark Kozelek: On Tour" was released via Caldo Verde Records on August 16, 2011. The movie was filmed during portions Mark Kozelek's European/North American tours of 2010 and early 2011.
Production work
Kozelek, who acted as record producer on every album released by his bands Red House PaintersRed House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
and Sun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon is a music project of singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek, best known for his previous band Red House Painters. Sun Kil Moon sees Kozelek undertake the writing, composing, singing, and guitar playing, accompanied by Tim Mooney and Anthony Koutsos on drums, and Geoff Stanfield on bass...
as well as his solo releases, produced the debut album by friend and Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
singer-guitarist Alan Sparhawk
Alan Sparhawk
Alan Sparhawk is the guitarist and vocalist for American band Low.-Biography:George Alan Sparhawk was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Utah. He met Mimi Parker when he was 9, after his family moved to Minnesota. Sparhawk began writing his own compositions around the age of 13...
, in Sparhawk's side-project Retribution Gospel Choir
Retribution Gospel Choir (album)
Retribution Gospel Choir is the eponymous debut album from Low singer-songwriter-guitarist Alan Sparhawk's band Retribution Gospel Choir. The album was released in the US on March 18, 2008, through Mark Kozelek's Caldo Verde Records...
.
Acting
Kozelek has also dabbled in acting—friend Cameron CroweCameron Crowe
Cameron Bruce Crowe is an American screenwriter and film director. Before moving into the film industry, Crowe was a contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine, for which he still frequently writes....
cast him in Almost Famous
Almost Famous
Almost Famous is a 2000 musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and telling the fictional story of a teenage journalist writing for Rolling Stone magazine while covering the fictitious rock band Stillwater , and his efforts to get his first cover story published...
(1999) as Larry Fellows (the bass player in Stillwater), and Vanilla Sky
Vanilla Sky
Vanilla Sky is a 2001 American psychological thriller film directed, co-produced and co-written by Cameron Crowe. The film is an English-language remake of the 1997 Spanish movie Abre los ojos , the screenplay for which was written by Alejandro Amenábar and Mateo Gil...
(2001). In 2005, he appeared in Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
's film Shopgirl
Shopgirl
Shopgirl is a 2005 American romantic drama film directed by Anand Tucker. The screenplay by Steve Martin is based on his 2000 novella of the same name.-Plot:...
, playing a musician who befriends and mentors Jason Schwartzman
Jason Schwartzman
Jason Francesco Schwartzman is an American actor and musician. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the Hollywood films Rushmore, Spun, I Heart Huckabees, Shopgirl, Marie Antoinette, The Darjeeling Limited, Funny People, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World...
's character. Kozelek also performed "Lily and Parrots" (a Sun Kil Moon song) live in the film.
Solo
- Rock 'n' Roll SingerRock 'n' Roll SingerRock 'n' Roll Singer is the debut solo EP from Mark Kozelek. The EP was released on June 13, 2000, and was released while Kozelek's final album with his previous band Red House Painters was in limbo with record label mergers...
EP (June 13, 2000) - What's Next to the MoonWhat's Next to the Moon (album)What's Next to the Moon is a solo album by Mark Kozelek, released on January 10, 2001. The album is composed entirely of drastically rearranged acoustic covers of Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs...
(January 10, 2001) - If You Want BloodIf You Want Blood (album)If You Want Blood is a limited edition compilation album by Mark Kozelek, released on December 3, 2001. The album collects Kozelek's first two solo releases: the Rock 'n' Roll Singer EP and the album What's Next to the Moon , along with two live bonus tracks...
(December 3, 2001)- Limited edition 2LP vinyl and rare Portuguese-only CD pressing combines "Rock 'n' Roll Singer" EP and "What's Next to the Moon."
- White Christmas LiveWhite Christmas LiveWhite Christmas Live is a live album by Mark Kozelek. It was recorded during three shows in November and December 2000 in Stockholm, Sweden; Göteborg, Sweden; and Oslo, Norway. The album was released by Sub Pop in the US only and was limited to 5,000 copies...
(December 17, 2001) - "Duk Koo Kim" single (September 15, 2003)
- Limited edition 10" vinyl single (limited to 2,000 copies worldwide), features acoustic studio version and live version.
- Little Drummer Boy LiveLittle Drummer Boy LiveLittle Drummer Boy Live is a double live collection by Mark Kozelek, released by his own label Caldo Verde Records on November 28, 2006. Former Red House Painters guitarist Phil Carney guests on guitar on some of the songs...
(November 28, 2006) - White Christmas and Little Drummer Boy LiveWhite Christmas and Little Drummer Boy LiveWhite Christmas and Little Drummer Boy Live is a limited edition, 4-piece vinyl-only release by Mark Kozelek. It is a compilation of two previously released limited edition live CD releases, White Christmas Live and Little Drummer Boy Live...
(October 2, 2007)- Limited edition 4LP vinyl box set combines his two live albums.
- Nights LPNights LPNights LP is a limited edition compilation album by Mark Kozelek, released on April 1, 2008 in conjunction with the release of Kozelek's updated and expanded lyrics book Nights of Passed Over...
(April 1, 2008) - 7 Songs Belfast7 Songs Belfast7 Songs Belfast is a live EP by Mark Kozelek. The limited edition CD was made available starting July 1, 2008, as a free gift with any order of a CD, t-shirt or vinyl record purchased via Caldo Verde Records' website. Starting from September 1, 2008, the EP was made available as a digital download...
(July 1, 2008)- Limited edition live CD, given away free with orders from Caldo Verde RecordsCaldo Verde RecordsCaldo Verde Records is a San Francisco-based indie rock and folk record label founded by Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon frontman Mark Kozelek in 2005. The label primarily features releases by Kozelek and Sun Kil Moon, but has also released albums by Jesu, Corrina Repp, Retribution Gospel...
' website.
- Limited edition live CD, given away free with orders from Caldo Verde Records
- The Finally LPThe Finally LPThe Finally LP is a compilation album by Mark Kozelek. The CD was released on December 9, 2008 via Caldo Verde Records. According to the Caldo Verde website:...
(December 9, 2008) - Find Me, Ruben Olivares: Live in SpainFind Me, Ruben Olivares: Live in SpainFind Me, Ruben Olivares: Live in Spain is the first of two new live albums released in spring 2009 by Mark Kozelek. Find Me, Ruben Olivares was made available starting from April 1, 2009, available as a free gift with any order of a CD, t-shirt or vinyl purchased from Caldo Verde Records' website,...
(April 1, 2009)- Limited edition live CD, given away free with orders from Caldo Verde Records' website.
- Lost Verses LiveLost Verses LiveLost Verses Live is the second of two new live albums released in spring 2009 by Mark Kozelek. Lost Verses Live was released on May 12, 2009. A limited edition vinyl pressing includes the exclusive live bonus tracks "I Am a Rock," "Last Tide," and "Floating," and was released in October 2009...
(May 12, 2009) - Live at Union Chapel & Södra Teatern (March 1, 2011)
- Limited edition live CD, given away free with orders from Caldo Verde Records' website.
Sun Kil Moon (2002-present)
- Ghosts of the Great HighwayGhosts of the Great HighwayGhosts of the Great Highway is the 2003 debut album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album...
(November 4, 2003) - Tiny CitiesTiny CitiesTiny Cities is the second album by Mark Kozelek's Sun Kil Moon, released November 1, 2005. It features the same lineup from their debut release, Ghosts of the Great Highway. This album was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005 .The full-length album is composed of covers of...
(November 1, 2005) - April (April 1, 2008)
- Admiral Fell PromisesAdmiral Fell PromisesAdmiral Fell Promises is the third album of original material, and fourth overall, from Sun Kil Moon. The album was released on July 13, 2010 through Caldo Verde Records. Despite being released under the Sun Kil Moon moniker, the album is just Mark Kozelek solo on acoustic nylon-string guitar...
(July 13, 2010)
Red House Painters (1989-2001)
- Down Colorful HillDown Colorful HillDown Colorful Hill is the debut Red House Painters album, released in 1992 by the 4AD label.As was done with the debuts of previous 4AD artists like Pixies, Lush, and His Name Is Alive, the album is made up of demos that were slightly remixed for general release. Although uncredited, the remixing...
(September 14, 1992) - Red House PaintersRed House Painters (Rollercoaster)Red House Painters is the second album by the group Red House Painters, released in spring 1993 by 4AD. 8 remaining songs from the same recording sessions made up the band's second self-titled album, Bridge...
aka Rollercoaster (May 24, 1993) - Red House PaintersRed House Painters (Bridge)-Release history:-"I Am a Rock"/"New Jersey" single:Although no commercial singles were ever released from the album, a promotional-only CD single was issued for "I Am a Rock" in October 1993...
aka Bridge (October 18, 1993) - Shock Me EPShock Me EPShock Me is an EP by the band Red House Painters. It was released in the UK only on February 28, 1994 on CD and 12" vinyl. The EP features two versions of the song "Shock Me," a Kiss cover. The EP went out of print shortly after its initial release...
(February 28, 1994) - Ocean BeachOcean Beach (album)-Double 10" vinyl release:-Release history:-Notes:* Additional musicians: Dan Barbee and Carrie Bradley.* Recorded and mixed at Coast Recorders, San Francisco....
(March 27, 1995) - Songs for a Blue GuitarSongs for a Blue Guitar-Release history:-Credits:* Performed and produced by Mark Kozelek.* Recorded at:** Record Two Studios, Mendocino County, Comptche, California.** Hyde Street Studios, San Francisco.** Polk Street Recording, San Francisco....
(July 23, 1996) - Old RamonOld RamonOld Ramon is the final album released by folk rock band Red House Painters. Originally completed in 1998, Mark Kozelek had to wait until 2001 to release the album. The band had previously been signed to Island/Supreme Records, but a series of major label mergers in the late '90s left the band...
(April 10, 2001)