The Court & Spark
Encyclopedia
The Court & Spark was a San Francisco-based indie rock
band formed in the spring of 1998 around the nucleus of Scott Hirsch, Alex Stimmel, James Kim, and lead vocalist M.C. Taylor. Between 1998 and 2001 the group established itself among the leaders of the alt-country Americana scene.
After Hirsch and Taylor's early and noisy participation in Ex-Ignota, the two (along with bassist Joe Rogers and others) found themselves in San Francisco, and formed the country-oriented group, taking cues from the classic sounds of the early country-rock era as well as incorporating more sonically progressive and multi-faceted compositions as evidenced on their tUMULt Records 1999 debut Ventura Whites.
The group achieved acclaim with their 2001 release Bless You
which included support from pedal steel player Tom Heyman and vocalist Wendy Allen, as well as former Byrd and Flying Burrito Brother Gene Parsons
. A review in Pitchfork by Christopher F. Schiel which gave it an impressive score of 9.0 (later inexplicably downgraded to 8.4 ) as well as feature in December 2001 on NPR's All Things Considered by Sarah Bardeen. helped gain the band recognition.
The band returned in 2004 with Witch Season as well as the EP - Dead Diamond River featuring contributions from Linda Thompson
and M. Ward
.
The Court & Spark officially disbanded in the summer of 2007 with a post to the band's website, "It's hard to say that The C&S is breaking up, as we still spend all our time together, but seeing as how we're all involved in different musical projects, it seems best to retire the C&S name for a while. We've had a good run and have had the good fortune to meet all kinds of wonderful souls as we've stumbled down the road. Thank you one and all for everything you've given us."
M.C. Taylor and Scott Hirsch moved to the East Coast—Chapel Hill, NC and New York City respectively—and started a new project together called Hiss Golden Messenger which has released two albums, Country Hai East Cotton and Root Work with a new release Bad Debt coming in November 2010 on Black Maps.
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...
band formed in the spring of 1998 around the nucleus of Scott Hirsch, Alex Stimmel, James Kim, and lead vocalist M.C. Taylor. Between 1998 and 2001 the group established itself among the leaders of the alt-country Americana scene.
After Hirsch and Taylor's early and noisy participation in Ex-Ignota, the two (along with bassist Joe Rogers and others) found themselves in San Francisco, and formed the country-oriented group, taking cues from the classic sounds of the early country-rock era as well as incorporating more sonically progressive and multi-faceted compositions as evidenced on their tUMULt Records 1999 debut Ventura Whites.
The group achieved acclaim with their 2001 release Bless You
Bless You
"Bless You" is a 1971 hit single by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas and was the group's last significant hit before disbanding in 1972.-Overview:...
which included support from pedal steel player Tom Heyman and vocalist Wendy Allen, as well as former Byrd and Flying Burrito Brother Gene Parsons
Gene Parsons
Gene Victor Parsons is an American drummer, banjo player, guitarist, singer-songwriter, and innovative engineer, best known for his work with The Byrds from 1968 to 1972. Parsons has also released solo albums and played in bands including Nashville West, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Parsons Green...
. A review in Pitchfork by Christopher F. Schiel which gave it an impressive score of 9.0 (later inexplicably downgraded to 8.4 ) as well as feature in December 2001 on NPR's All Things Considered by Sarah Bardeen. helped gain the band recognition.
The band returned in 2004 with Witch Season as well as the EP - Dead Diamond River featuring contributions from Linda Thompson
Linda Thompson (singer)
Linda Thompson is a British singer. Born Linda Pettifer in Hackney, Thompson became one of the most recognised names—and voices—in the British folk rock movement of the 1970s and 1980s, in collaboration with her former husband and fellow British folk rock musician, guitarist Richard...
and M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
.
The Court & Spark officially disbanded in the summer of 2007 with a post to the band's website, "It's hard to say that The C&S is breaking up, as we still spend all our time together, but seeing as how we're all involved in different musical projects, it seems best to retire the C&S name for a while. We've had a good run and have had the good fortune to meet all kinds of wonderful souls as we've stumbled down the road. Thank you one and all for everything you've given us."
M.C. Taylor and Scott Hirsch moved to the East Coast—Chapel Hill, NC and New York City respectively—and started a new project together called Hiss Golden Messenger which has released two albums, Country Hai East Cotton and Root Work with a new release Bad Debt coming in November 2010 on Black Maps.
Discography
- Ventura Whites (Tumult Records, 1999)
- Bless You (Absolutely Kosher Records, 2001)
- Witch Season (Absolutely Kosher, 2004)
- Dead Diamond River EP (Absolutely Kosher, 2004)
- Hearts (Absolutely Kosher, 2006)