American Aquarium | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States |
Genres | Rock, alternative country, Americana |
Years active | 2005 | –present
Labels | Last Chance Records, Red 11 Music, New West Records |
Members |
|
Past members |
|
Website | www |
American Aquarium is an American alternative country band from Raleigh, North Carolina, United States.
Formed in 2006, the band derived its name from the Wilco song, “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” [1] and is led by band founder and lead vocalist/ guitarist BJ Barham. A new lineup was announced in April 2017 with new faces joining the ranks: Crooks drummer Joey Bybee, Damn Quails bass player Ben Hussey and guitarist Shane Boeker – all from Texas – along with Nashville pedal-steel player Adam Kurtz, who also fronts Music City's experimental Buck Owens tribute Buck N' Stuff. Bybee left in August 2018 and was replaced by Nashville-based drummer Matty Alger, who in turn left in February 2019. Kurtz left the band after the Mile Zero fest in January 2019, and Hussey left in July 2019.
American Aquarium has released seven albums, including their most critically acclaimed album to date, 2012’s Burn. Flicker. Die.. According to American Songwriter, 'It’s a record for anyone who creates art, even if recognition and a stable living may never come of it". [2]
Their first album, Antique Hearts, was released in 2006, followed by The Bible and the Bottle in 2008. The band continued to tour extensively, playing around 250 shows a year. They began building a wider and more varied fan base beyond their native state.
Their sophomore effort received some critical attention, and that same year the band released the minimalist live EP Bones, recorded in a friend’s living room. Barham wrote the songs in the wake of a break-up, helping to cement a familiar theme of women who either got away or did the protagonist wrong. [3] Their next album was Dances for the Lonely. Released by Last Chance Records in 2009, it featured one of their fan favorites, “I Hope He Breaks Your Heart.” Small Town Hymns, released in 2010, brought more favorable reviews and continued comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, Whiskeytown, and Lucero.
In 2012, American Aquarium released two albums: Live in Raleigh and Burn. Flicker. Die., which garnered considerable praise from music critics and fans. Produced by Jason Isbell, formerly of Drive By Truckers, the album was originally intended to be the band’s last, but they now have no plans for retirement. [4] Barham says,"It's kind of ironic that the record about not making it is the record that helped us make it." "Throughout, the music crackles and snarls with a raw viscerality that carries distinct echoes of the Drive-By Truckers and early-seventies Rolling Stones—boozy, swaggering closing track “Saturday Nights” even sports a signature crunch-riff that’d put a big smile on Keith Richards’ face." [5] Burn. Flicker. Die. was nominated for "Best Americana/Roots Album” and “Best Album Artwork” in the 2013 Lone Star Music Awards. [6]
The band released their sixth original album, Wolves, in February 2015. [7] The band's fans helped raise $24,000 through a Kickstarter project to help fund the album's production, and the album was recorded in Asheville, North Carolina at Echo Mountain.
On November 25, 2016, Live at Terminal West was released by the band from a live show recording in November 2015 at Terminal West in Atlanta, Georgia.
On June 1, 2018, American Aquarium released Things Change with producer John Fullbright.
On May 1, 2020, American Aquarium released Lamentations with producer Shooter Jennings. Barham wrote the lyrics by comparing Jeremiah's book of Lamentations to modern day America.
On June 17, 2022, American Aquarium made their debut [8] at the Ryman Auditorium.
On April 2, 2017, Barham announced a lineup change via Facebook, saying "I started American Aquarium in my college dorm room back in 2005 with the hopes of building a band to bring my songs to life,” Barham says. “Over the last 12 years I’ve played 3000+ shows with 26 different members of American Aquarium. We’ve been to 13 countries, 46 states and have recorded 9 albums under the American Aquarium name. It is with a heavy heart that I’m here to say the current lineup of American Aquarium is no more."
As of April 2020
Dio was an American heavy metal band formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Dio left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice. The name Dio was chosen because it made sense from a commercial standpoint, as the name was already well known at that time.
"Independence Day" is a song by written by American singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters and recorded by American singer Martina McBride her 1993 studio album The Way That I Am. It was released on May 2, 1994, as the third single from the album.
Caitlin Cary is an alternative country musician and visual artist from Seville, Ohio.
David Garza is a Grammy winning producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and visual artist who has crafted a 35-year repertoire of over 400 original compositions.
Lee Rocker is an American musician. He is a member of the rockabilly revival band Stray Cats.
"Wild One" is a song written by Pat Bunch, Jaime Kyle, and Will Rambeaux and most famously recorded by American country artist Faith Hill. Before her version, the song was recorded by both Zaca Creek and Evangeline for their albums Broken Heartland (1992) and French Quarter Moon (1993). Hill's version was released on September 23, 1993, as her debut single and the lead single to her debut studio album Take Me as I Am (1993). Lyrically, "Wild One" speaks of a female protagonist rebelling against her parents' conservative values.
"Should've Been a Cowboy" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was released on February 12, 1993, as his debut single and the first from his self-titled debut album. On June 5, 1993, the song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs and the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts. It also peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it a minor crossover hit.
Monk & Neagle were an American Contemporary Christian music duo from Amarillo, Texas, United States, being composed of Trent Monk and Michael Neagle.
"I Try to Think About Elvis" is a song written by Gary Burr, and recorded by American country music artist Patty Loveless. It was released in July 1994 as the first single from her album When Fallen Angels Fly.
"Lost and Found" is a song written by Kix Brooks and Don Cook and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in September 1992 as the fifth and final single from their debut album, Brand New Man. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Additionally, it was the first single to feature Kix Brooks on lead vocals instead of Ronnie Dunn, and the first single of their career to miss the No. 1 spot.
"Heads Carolina, Tails California" is a song written by Tim Nichols and Mark D. Sanders and recorded by American country music artist Jo Dee Messina. The song was released in January 1996 as her debut single and served as the lead-off single for her self-titled debut album. The song reached the Top 10 on both the U.S. and Canadian country charts.
"John Deere Green" is a song written by Dennis Linde, and recorded by American country music artist Joe Diffie. It was released in November 1993 as the third single from his album Honky Tonk Attitude. The song peaked at number 5 on the country charts.
"Queen of My Double Wide Trailer" is a song written by Dennis Linde, and recorded by American country music artist Sammy Kershaw. It was released in August 1993 as the third single from his album Haunted Heart. It peaked at No. 7 in the United States, and No. 3 in Canada.
"Some Girls Do" is a song written by Mark Miller, and recorded by American country music band Sawyer Brown. It was released in March 1992 as the second single from their album The Dirt Road. It was a number-one hit in the United States, while it peaked at number 2 in Canada.
Miss May I is an American metalcore band from Troy, Ohio. Formed in 2007, they signed to Rise Records in 2008 and released their debut album, Apologies Are for the Weak through the label while the members were still attending high school. The album reached 76 on the Billboard 200, No. 29 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers, and No. 66 on Top Independent Albums. The band has also had some of their material featured in big name productions; the song "Forgive and Forget" is featured on the Saw VI Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, and their song "Apologies Are for the Weak" is included in the video game Saints Row: The Third.
"Down at the Twist and Shout" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Mary Chapin Carpenter. It celebrates the Bethesda, Maryland, dance and music venue Twist & Shout. It was released in June 1991 as the third single from the album Shooting Straight in the Dark. The song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart on September 14, 1991. The Cajun-themed song features backing from members of BeauSoleil, who are also name-dropped in the lyrics. Carpenter performed the song pregame at Super Bowl XXXI.
Delicate Steve is the stage name of musician Steve Marion, an American multi-instrumentalist who leads the band of the same name. Delicate Steve's sound has been described as hand-crafted with elements of progressive rock, folksy twang, African rhythms, surf rock and 1970s pop. Marion has collaborated with a wide range of artists in a variety of styles and genres, performing live and recording in-studio with artists such as The Black Keys, Paul Simon, Amen Dunes, Mac DeMarco, Tame Impala, and others.
Tony Ramey is an Americana and Country Music singer and songwriter. During his career, he has recorded eleven albums and EPs and had dozens of songs recorded by other country music artists. His repertoire of songs reaches over 3,400 in number and his songwriting career spans twenty-four years as a professional. Ramey wrote and performed the title song for the movie, The Last Ride a fact-based drama about the final days of troubled country-music legend Hank Williams. His music can also be heard on the soundtrack for Pure Country 2: The Gift. He has performed a duet with Willie Nelson on his Soul Survivor album, which brought some acclaim to his status as a troubadour. His songs have appeared in television as well on daytime drama series “The Young and the Restless” and on outdoor television shows such as “Canada in the Rough”.
Duo de Twang is an American country duo formed in 2012. It features Primus bass guitarist Les Claypool and M.I.R.V. guitarist Bryan Kehoe, who has been Claypool's friend since high school.
Jack the Radio is an indie roots rock band based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
{{cite web}}
: |last=
has generic name (help)