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Phosphorescent (band)
Encyclopedia
Phosphorescent is the working moniker of American multi-instrumentalist
and singer-songwriter
Matthew Houck. Originally from Alabama
, Houck began recording and performing under this nom de plume
in 2001 in Athens, Georgia
. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
in 2003. Notably, in the liner notes of A Hundred Times or More, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The album was released through Athens
-based independent label Warm Records
. The following year, he released the EP
The Weight of Flight
. Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing Aw Come Aw Wry
in August 2005 and Pride
in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine
and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media
. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson
's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell To Lefty From Willie
, Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled, To Willie
which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released Here's to Taking It Easy
in 2010.
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
and singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Matthew Houck. Originally from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Houck began recording and performing under this nom de plume
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
in 2001 in Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
Overview
Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Matthew Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and self-released a limited pressing of the album Hipolit in 2000. Houck later changed his recording name to Phosphorescent, and released the full-length LP A Hundred Times or MoreA Hundred Times or More
A Hundred Times or More is Phosphorescent's debut album. The LP was released via Athens, Georgia-based label Warm Records. It was released on August 19, 2003.-Track listing:# "Salt & Blues"# "Where to Strip"# "Bullet"# "Little, Pt. 1"# "Little, Pt. 2"...
in 2003. Notably, in the liner notes of A Hundred Times or More, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The album was released through Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
-based independent label Warm Records
Warm Records
Warm Electronic Recordings is an independent record label based in Athens, Georgia. Azure Ray, Japancakes, and Crooked Fingers are some of the artists on their roster.-Artists:*Azure Ray*Crooked Fingers*Elk City*Empire State*Japancakes*Liz Durrett...
. The following year, he released the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
The Weight of Flight
The Weight of Flight
The Weight of Flight is the second official release from Phosphorescent. The EP was released via Athens, Georgia-based label Warm Records. It was released on June 8, 2004.-Track listing:# "Toes Out to Sea"# "All of It, All"# "When We Fall"...
. Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing Aw Come Aw Wry
Aw Come Aw Wry
Aw Come Aw Wry is the second full-length album by Phosphorescent and their first and only on the Misra Records label. It was released on June 7, 2005.- Track listing :# "Not a Heel" - 3:50# "Aw Come Aw Wry #5" - 0:45# "Joe Tex, These Taming Blues" - 5:30...
in August 2005 and Pride
Pride (Phosphorescent album)
Pride is the third album by Phosphorescent and their first on the Dead Oceans label. It was released on October 23, 2007.-Track listing:#"A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise" - 3:17#"Be Dark Night" - 4:00#"Wolves" - 6:15...
in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine was an online music and film magazine launched in 2002. It featured long-form music journalism, four daily music reviews, movie reviews, a number of different podcasts, an MP3 blog, and a text blog....
and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell To Lefty From Willie
To Lefty From Willie
To Lefty From Willie is a tribute album to Lefty Frizzell recorded in 1977 by country singer Willie Nelson. The album features some of the biggest hits by Frizell like "I Never Go Around Mirrors " and "That's the Way Love Goes".Rhapsody praised the album, calling it one of their favorite cover...
, Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled, To Willie
To Willie
To Willie is the fourth full-length album by Phosphorescent, and their second on the Dead Oceans label.The complete album is a tribute to Willie Nelson."To Willie From Phosphorescent" - "To Willie From Phossy"...
which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released Here's to Taking It Easy
Here's to Taking It Easy
Here's to Taking It Easy is the fifth full-length album by Phosphorescent. It is his third on the Dead Oceans label. It was released on May 11, 2010.-Track listing:#"It's Hard to Be Humble " - 4:28...
in 2010.
Albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | A Hundred Times or More A Hundred Times or More A Hundred Times or More is Phosphorescent's debut album. The LP was released via Athens, Georgia-based label Warm Records. It was released on August 19, 2003.-Track listing:# "Salt & Blues"# "Where to Strip"# "Bullet"# "Little, Pt. 1"# "Little, Pt. 2"... |
Warm Warm Records Warm Electronic Recordings is an independent record label based in Athens, Georgia. Azure Ray, Japancakes, and Crooked Fingers are some of the artists on their roster.-Artists:*Azure Ray*Crooked Fingers*Elk City*Empire State*Japancakes*Liz Durrett... |
| 2004 | The Weight of Flight The Weight of Flight The Weight of Flight is the second official release from Phosphorescent. The EP was released via Athens, Georgia-based label Warm Records. It was released on June 8, 2004.-Track listing:# "Toes Out to Sea"# "All of It, All"# "When We Fall"... EP |
Warm Warm Records Warm Electronic Recordings is an independent record label based in Athens, Georgia. Azure Ray, Japancakes, and Crooked Fingers are some of the artists on their roster.-Artists:*Azure Ray*Crooked Fingers*Elk City*Empire State*Japancakes*Liz Durrett... |
| 2005 | Aw Come Aw Wry Aw Come Aw Wry Aw Come Aw Wry is the second full-length album by Phosphorescent and their first and only on the Misra Records label. It was released on June 7, 2005.- Track listing :# "Not a Heel" - 3:50# "Aw Come Aw Wry #5" - 0:45# "Joe Tex, These Taming Blues" - 5:30... |
Misra Misra Records Misra Records is an independent record label run out of Durham, North Carolina with branch offices in Washington D.C., Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California.... |
| 2007 | Pride Pride (Phosphorescent album) Pride is the third album by Phosphorescent and their first on the Dead Oceans label. It was released on October 23, 2007.-Track listing:#"A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise" - 3:17#"Be Dark Night" - 4:00#"Wolves" - 6:15... |
Dead Oceans |
| 2009 | To Willie To Willie To Willie is the fourth full-length album by Phosphorescent, and their second on the Dead Oceans label.The complete album is a tribute to Willie Nelson."To Willie From Phosphorescent" - "To Willie From Phossy"... |
Dead Oceans |
| 2010 | Here's to Taking It Easy Here's to Taking It Easy Here's to Taking It Easy is the fifth full-length album by Phosphorescent. It is his third on the Dead Oceans label. It was released on May 11, 2010.-Track listing:#"It's Hard to Be Humble " - 4:28... |
Dead Oceans |
Singles / 7" / Other Releases
| Year | Title | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | I Am A Full Grown Man (I Will Lay In The Grass All Day) | The Great Pop Supplement | UK limited 7" release |
| 2010 | Live / Ghost Lights EP | Dead Oceans | limited-press tour EP |
Compilation Appearances
| Year | Compilation | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Esopus Magazine Number 1 Public Domain | "Home On The Range" (trad.) |
| 2006 | Awful Bliss Records: Songs For Another Place | "One Of My Turns" (Pink Floyd) |
| 2009 | Live at KEXP Vol.5 | "Wolves" (solo, live) |
| 2009 | Splice Today: The Old Lonesome Sound | "Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)"(Stephen Foster) |
| 2009 | St. Ives Records: It Happened Here | "South (Of America) (live)" |
| 2010 | MOJO Magazine: Let It Be - Revisited | "Across The Universe"(Beatles) |
| 2010 | More Townes Van Zandt By The Great Unknown | "Why She's Acting This Way"(Townes Van Zandt) |
| 2011 | MOJO Magazine: Harvest - Revisited | "Are You Ready For The Country?"(Neil Young) |
External links
- Ukulele Session by Noahm for Le SoirLe SoirLe Soir is a Berliner Format Belgian newspaper. Le Soir was founded in 1887 by Emile Rossel. It is the most popular Francophone newspaper in Belgium, and considered a newspaper of record.-Editorial stance:...
- Phosphorescent, A Full-Grown Man