The Autumn Defense
Encyclopedia
The Autumn Defense is an indie
band composed of multi-instrumentalists John Stirratt
and Pat Sansone
.
The Autumn Defense began as a side project for John Stirratt
, best known for his work as bassist for alt-country bands Wilco
and Uncle Tupelo
.
In 1999 Stirratt began collaborating with friend Pat Sansone
, known for his work with Joseph Arthur
and Josh Rouse
, to produce 1960s-style rock/pop. Their debut album The Green Hour was released on Stirratt's own Broadmoor label, with Stirratt doing the bulk of the writing while Sansone focused on the technical recording aspects. The band did some light touring around the United States in between other projects.
The duo reconvened in 2002 to begin work on their follow-up album, the critically acclaimed Circles
released in 2003 on the Arena Rock Recording Co.
label. The band received press in Mojo
, No Depression
, and the Chicago Tribune
and supported the release with a successful club tour throughout America and Europe.
Since the release of Circles Sansone has joined Stirratt as part of Wilco's current six-man lineup.
Stirratt also released an album with his twin-sister Laurie, entitled Arabella in 2004. The album was released on Broadmoor Records.
The band's third, self-titled record was released in the US January 16, 2007 on Broadmoor while Broken Horse records issued The Autumn Defense in the UK/Europe on February 25, 2008. The band embarked on a US tour in February and March 2007.
The Autumn Defense released their fourth LP titled "Once Around" in November 2010 on Yep Roc Records.
Indie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
band composed of multi-instrumentalists John Stirratt
John Stirratt
John Stirratt is the bassist and multi-instrumentalist for Wilco, and The Autumn Defense.Stirratt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 26, 1967 and grew up in nearby Mandeville. He attended Mandeville High School and the University of Mississippi...
and Pat Sansone
Pat Sansone
Pat Sansone is a multi-instrumentalist in the rock bands Wilco and The Autumn Defense.Sansone was born in Meridian, Mississippi...
.
History
The Autumn Defense began as a side project for John Stirratt
John Stirratt
John Stirratt is the bassist and multi-instrumentalist for Wilco, and The Autumn Defense.Stirratt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 26, 1967 and grew up in nearby Mandeville. He attended Mandeville High School and the University of Mississippi...
, best known for his work as bassist for alt-country bands 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...
and Uncle Tupelo
Uncle Tupelo
Uncle Tupelo was an alternative country music group from Belleville, Illinois, active between 1987 and 1994. Jay Farrar, Jeff Tweedy, and Mike Heidorn formed the band after the lead singer of their previous band, The Primitives, left to attend college. The trio recorded three albums for Rockville...
.
In 1999 Stirratt began collaborating with friend Pat Sansone
Pat Sansone
Pat Sansone is a multi-instrumentalist in the rock bands Wilco and The Autumn Defense.Sansone was born in Meridian, Mississippi...
, known for his work with Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
and Josh Rouse
Josh Rouse
Josh Rouse is an American folk/roots pop singer-songwriter.-Biography:Born in the small town of Paxton, Nebraska, he moved to various places in the Midwest during his childhood due to his father's military career...
, to produce 1960s-style rock/pop. Their debut album The Green Hour was released on Stirratt's own Broadmoor label, with Stirratt doing the bulk of the writing while Sansone focused on the technical recording aspects. The band did some light touring around the United States in between other projects.
The duo reconvened in 2002 to begin work on their follow-up album, the critically acclaimed Circles
Circles (The Autumn Defense album)
Circles is the second album of The Autumn Defense, composed of multi-instrumentalists John Stirratt and Pat Sansone.-Track listing:# "Silence"# "The Sun in California"# "Written in the Snow"# "The Answer"# "The World "...
released in 2003 on the Arena Rock Recording Co.
Arena Rock Recording Co.
The Arena Rock Recording Company is an independent record label based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Albums are distributed by Redeye in the United States and Koch in Canada.-History:...
label. The band received press in Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
, No Depression
No Depression (periodical)
No Depression was a bi-monthly magazine that covered a broad range of roots music, including alternative country and Americana.-History:...
, and the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
and supported the release with a successful club tour throughout America and Europe.
Since the release of Circles Sansone has joined Stirratt as part of Wilco's current six-man lineup.
Stirratt also released an album with his twin-sister Laurie, entitled Arabella in 2004. The album was released on Broadmoor Records.
The band's third, self-titled record was released in the US January 16, 2007 on Broadmoor while Broken Horse records issued The Autumn Defense in the UK/Europe on February 25, 2008. The band embarked on a US tour in February and March 2007.
The Autumn Defense released their fourth LP titled "Once Around" in November 2010 on Yep Roc Records.
Discography
- The Green Hour (CD/LP) - Broadmoor - 2001
- CirclesCircles (The Autumn Defense album)Circles is the second album of The Autumn Defense, composed of multi-instrumentalists John Stirratt and Pat Sansone.-Track listing:# "Silence"# "The Sun in California"# "Written in the Snow"# "The Answer"# "The World "...
(CD/LP) - Arena Rock Recording Co.Arena Rock Recording Co.The Arena Rock Recording Company is an independent record label based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Albums are distributed by Redeye in the United States and Koch in Canada.-History:...
- 2003 - Birds, Beasts, & FlowersBirds, Beasts, & Flowers (album)Birds, Beasts, and Flowers is a split EP between indie rock band The Autumn Defense and indie folk band Hem. It was released on September 28, 2004 on the Arena Rock Recording Co. label.-Track listing:# "Half Acre"...
EP (split with HemHem (band)Hem is an indie folk-rock band from New York City, United States. Band members include Sally Ellyson , Dan Messé , Gary Maurer , Steve Curtis , George Rush , Mark Brotter , Bob Hoffnar , and Heather Zimmerman .-Band history:In 1999,...
) - Arena Rock Recording Co.Arena Rock Recording Co.The Arena Rock Recording Company is an independent record label based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Albums are distributed by Redeye in the United States and Koch in Canada.-History:...
- 2003 - The Autumn Defense (CD) - Broadmoor - 2007
- Once AroundOnce Around (album)Once Around is an album released November 2, 2010 by The Autumn Defense. It is the band's fourth full-length release.- Track listing :# Back of My Mind# Allow Me# Tell Me What You Want# Huntington Fair# Once Around# The Rift...
(CD) - Yep Roc - 2010
External links
- Official band website
- The Autumn Defense at Arena Rock Recording Co.
- The Autumn Defense interview at Press Play and Record
- Interview with Pat Sansone
- Interview and Live Performance on Chicago TV show "Corporate Country Sucks"
- Gustafer yellowgold creator Morgan Taylor played on the band's 2004 tourGustafer yellowgoldGustafer Yellowgold is a fictional character created by American songwriter and illustrator, Morgan Taylor. Gustafer is the main character in a series of minimally animated music videos brought to life in both live concerts and its DVD/CD series....