The Decemberists are a rock band from Portland, Oregon, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. Their debut EP, 5 Songs, was self-released in 2001. Their fourth and latest full-length album, The Crane Wife, was released on 3 October 2006 by Capitol Records, and is their first appearance on a major label.

Overview

Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt (which may explain their use of the National Anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts) and to the atmosphere associated with the month of December, the Decemberists write songs that range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads, and often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass. In their lyrics, they eschew the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach, as evidenced in songs such as "My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist" from the 5 Songs EP and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" on Picaresque. Their songs convey tales ranging from whimsical ("Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect") to epic ("The Tain") to truly dark ("Odalisque"). They often invoke historical events and themes from around the world. Early in their career, The Decemberists' musical and lyrical aesthetics frequently prompted critics to compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel. Since their debut, their sound has undergone a consistent evolution, most notably in the direction of progressive rock with a strong folk influence, though they have also been described as indie rock and, by Stephen Colbert, as "hyper-literate prog rock." For example, one song, "When the War Came," uses a little-known story from the Siege of Leningrad to describe the heroism of civilian scientists during warfare. The lyrics state: "We made our oath to Vavilov / We'd not betray the solanum / The acres of asteraceae / To our own pangs of starvation". Nikolai Vavilov was a Russian botanist whose laboratory, a seedbank containing 200,000 types of plant seeds, many of them edible, was preserved throughout the siege, during which millions of people died.

History

In March 2005, the Decemberists were reportedly the first band to distribute a music video via BitTorrent, the self-produced "16 Military Wives" (from Picaresque). In the same month, the band's equipment trailer was stolen; fans contributed to a replacement fund, and another fundraiser was organized via an eBay auction, with buyers bidding for copies of Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey and original art work by Carson Ellis. They also received help from Lee Kruger, the Shins, the Dandy Warhols, and other musicians. The Martin Guitar Company offered 6- and 12-string guitars on permanent loan. In early April, police discovered the trailer (and a fair amount of the band's merchandise) in Clackamas, Oregon, but the instruments and equipment were not recovered.Hunt, Pete. Thieves Who Took the Decemberists' Gear. Willamette Week, March 23 2005.

On their website, The Decemberists claim that their official drink is Orangina, and that bands they "adore" include Norfolk & Western, The Places, The Long Winters, Death Cab for Cutie, Tracker, Sleater-Kinney, Electrelane, Camera Obscura, Clearlake, Tom Heinl, The Thermals, Swords, and Earlimart. Their official biography, keeping up their reputation for intentionally over-the-top grandiloquence, describes how the band's members met in a Turkish bath. A footnote following the biography claims, "The Decemberists travel exclusively by Dr. Herring's Brand® Dirigible Balloons."

On 12 December, 2005, Meloy revealed to Pitchfork Media that the band had signed to Capitol Records, and planned to begin recording their major label debut with producers Tucker Martine and Chris Walla (of Death Cab for Cutie fame) in April 2006. Exclusive: The Decemberists Sign to Capitol Records. Pitchfork. Retrieved on November 6 2007. The Decemberists' first album on Capitol, their major label debut, The Crane Wife, was released on 3 October 2006. The release was accompanied by an appearance the same day on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, during which the band performed "O Valencia!". The supporting tour (called "The Rout of the Patagons Tour") began on October 17, 2006, at Portland, Oregon's Crystal Ballroom. The opening act was Lavender Diamond. Later in the tour, Alasdair Roberts opened for the band. NPR listeners voted The Crane Wife their favorite album of 2006, as announced on the December 5 episode of All Songs Considered.[1] NPR.

In July 2007, the Decemberists embarked on a five-date tour with a full orchestral accompaniment. On July 7, the tour put the band on the stage of the historic Hollywood Bowl for the first time in their career, pairing them with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. On July 15, the band performed with The Mann Festival Orchestra at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they debuted a new song. Decemberists at the Mann Center in Philadelphia- New Song. YouTube. Retrieved November 6 2007. They then played a free concert in Chicago at the Millennium Park with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra.

In a 2007 interview, Colin Meloy described The Crane Wife as a "massive record... [2] crazy arrangements", and stated that the band is thinking about recording an album with more relaxed folk rock themes. During a 2007 interview backstage at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, band members John Moen and Chris Funk stated that the band's next album would probably be released in 2009. Bobby Bare Jr. may be producing the band's next album. Weblog of Daniel Tashian. Retrieved on December 9 2007.

On October 6, 2007, the band announced on their website that they were cancelling the remainder of their European tour, citing the ill health of one of their members.

On November 1, 2007, the band announced on their website that they were cancelling the remaining 28 shows of their "Long and Short of It" tour, citing the continued ill health of an unnamed bandmember. Decemberists cancel 28 shows due to illness. CNN.com. Retrieved on November 6 2007.

Green screen music video

In November 2006, the band encouraged fans to create a music video for their single "O Valencia!" using footage of the band in front of a green screen. On his Comedy Central program, Stephen Colbert started a mock feud with the band, claiming his "green screen challenge" came first; the band countered that their 2005 on-stage lightsaber fight in San Francisco showed they had the idea before Colbert did.

The feud culminated in a December 20 guitar solo competition on Colbert's show, with lead guitarist Funk representing the band. After Colbert feigned a hand injury, Peter Frampton took over for Colbert and won an audience vote. Show guests got involved, with New York Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer and Dr. Henry Kissinger declaring, "Tonight, I think the American people won." The prize for winning the challenge was revealed to be a copy of The Crane Wife. According to Meloy, the Colbert challenge was not prearranged, and before Funk's appearance, they were only told that Frampton would step in for Colbert.

Artwork

The Decemberists' album and promotional artwork is produced by Carson Ellis, a Portland, Oregon artist, who is Colin Meloy's girlfriend. Meloy and Ellis have one child, Henry "Hank" Ellis Meloy.

Members

Current

• Colin Meloy (lead singer, songwriter, guitar)
• Chris Funk (guitar, multi-instrumentalist)
• Jenny Conlee (hammond organ, accordion, melodica, piano, keyboards)
• Nate Query (bass guitar, string bass) - except Her Majesty and Billy Liar single
• John Moen (drums, melodica) - The Crane Wife

Former

• Jesse Emerson (bass guitar) - Her Majesty
• Ezra Holbrook - Castaways and Cutouts (drums, backing vocals), The Crane Wife (backing vocals)
• Rachel Blumberg (drums, vocals) - Castaways and Cutouts, Her Majesty, Billy Liar single, The Tain, and Picaresque
• David Langenes (guitar)
• Petra Haden (violin, vocals) - Picaresque, daughter of jazz bassist Charlie Haden, also supporting musician for the Picaresque tour.
• Lisa Molinaro (viola, guitar, keyboards, vocals) - supporting musician for The Crane Wife tours

Guests

• Laura Veirs - duet vocals on 'Yankee Bayonet' on The Crane Wife
• Eyvind Kang - viola, violin on The Crane Wife
• Mavis Staples - vocals, at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2007 singing 'The Weight'
• Shara Worden - duet vocals on 'Yankee Bayonet' for live performances on the Spring 2007 tour.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

DVD

• A Practical Handbook
  Kill Rock Stars
  20 March 2007

"The Decemberists: A Practical Handbook" includes a full concert (filmed in December 2005) in Portland's Roseland Theater and "Paris, Before the War", a documentary about the history of the band and making of the Picaresque album.