Azure Ray is an American dream pop duo, consisting of musicians Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor. Formed in Athens, Georgia in 2001, they later moved to Omaha, Nebraska and became part of the Saddle Creek Records music scene, which also included Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Cursive. Azure Ray's music has often been featured in film and television, including Six Feet Under, Grey's Anatomy, and The Devil Wears Prada.
There Is No Beginning to the Story is the third EP by Bright Eyes. The songs on it are fairly varied, with "From a Balance Beam" and "Loose Leaves" having more electronic qualities, while "Messenger Bird's Song" and "We Are Free Men" are more rooted in acoustic. The 12" vinyl edition includes 2 extra songs: "Amy in the White Coat" and a Neil Young cover, "Out on the Weekend".
Now It's Overhead was an indie rock band fronted by singer/songwriter Andy LeMaster and based in Athens, Georgia. Their first album, a self-titled collection of songs LeMaster wrote over a period of two years in the late 1990s, quickly rose from a studio project to a full-time band with the assistance of drummer Clay Leverett, Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor of Azure Ray. They were the first band not hailing from Nebraska to be signed by Omaha-based Saddle Creek Records.
Apple Venus Volume 1 is the 13th studio album by the English rock band XTC, released in February 1999. It was the first on the band's own Idea Records label through Cooking Vinyl and distributed in the United States by TVT Records. The album relies heavily on strings, acoustic guitars and keyboards, expanding upon the more orchestral approach developed on the group's previous LP Nonsuch (1992). Apple Venus Volume 1 was met with critical acclaim and moderate sales, peaking at number 42 on the UK Albums Chart and number 106 on the US Billboard 200.
Naeem Juwan, better known by his stage name Spank Rock, is an American rapper and songwriter from Baltimore. He rose to fame with his 2006 album YoYoYoYoYo, which was produced by former group member Alex Epton (XXXChange). A harbinger of post-millennial alternative rap, the duo became known for its mixing of disparate hip hop and club genres, including Baltimore club, Miami bass, electro music and rock.
Maria Diane Taylor is an American singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink. Taylor plays several instruments, including the piano, guitar, and drums, and has collaborated or performed with such artists as Bright Eyes, Moby, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Joshua Radin, Nik Freitas and more.
Orenda Fink is an American singer, musician, and writer. Perhaps best known as half of the duo Azure Ray, Fink is also a member of Art in Manila, O+S, Harouki Zombi, Closeness, and High Up, and has played with or appeared as a guest on records by Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst, Moby, The Faint, Pete Yorn, and others. She is married to Todd Fink of The Faint.
11:11 is the debut solo album by Azure Ray's Maria Taylor. It was released May 24, 2005 by Saddle Creek Records. This album is the 74th release of Saddle Creek Records. The album features Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, Gretta Cohn of Cursive, Andy LeMaster and Mike Mogis as both musicians and producers.
Lagniappe is a compilation album released by the Omaha-based record label Saddle Creek, after the events of Hurricane Katrina. It is a benefit album, and all profits from its sale are donated to the Red Cross' relief efforts in New Orleans.
Hold On Love is an album released by the band Azure Ray. It was released October 7, 2003, on Saddle Creek Records.
Azure Ray is the debut and eponymous studio album by American duo Azure Ray, consisting of Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink. It was originally released on January 16, 2001 by Warm Electronic Recordings.
Now It's Overhead is the debut album by the band Now It's Overhead from Athens, Georgia. It was released on October 2, 2001. This was Saddle Creek Records' first full-length album by a band from outside of Nebraska. The band consisted of Andy LeMaster, Orenda Fink, Maria Taylor, and Clay Leverett.
Red Carpet Massacre is the 12th studio album by English new wave band Duran Duran. It was released on 13 November 2007 by Epic Records. Most of the music on the final incarnation of the album was completed in late 2006 following the departure of band member Andy Taylor with new guitarist Dominic Brown replacing him, when record producer Timbaland began working with the band. "Falling Down" was the only single released from the album.
Andy LeMaster is an American musician, songwriter, engineer, and producer from Athens, Georgia. His primary band in the 2000s was Now It's Overhead. LeMaster has engineered, produced, and contributed to many albums since he began recording in the late 1990s, including many Saddle Creek releases by Bright Eyes, Now It's Overhead, Azure Ray, Maria Taylor, and Orenda Fink. He is co-owner of Chase Park Transduction studio in Athens with fellow producer/engineer/musician, David Barbe. He's been a frequent touring member of Bright Eyes since the late 1990s, and has performed live as a band member with many other artists including Azure Ray, Fischerspooner, and Michael Stipe. LeMaster is also a talented visual artist, and has done all the covers for Now It's Overhead's records.
The band Far-Less has released three EPs and three full-length studio albums. They recorded a fourth EP "The Headache" in 2008 that has yet to be released.
Drawing Down the Moon is an album released by the band Azure Ray. It was released September 14, 2010 on Saddle Creek Records, seven years since their previous album Hold On Love.
Young & Sick is a Los Angeles and New York City based music and art project. The solo project is the brainchild of Dutch artist Nick van Hofwegen, described as a "double threat" in art and music by the Wall Street Journal, who is responsible for the project's musical composition, production, and performance, as well as all artwork. Young & Sick is currently releasing music with Neon Gold Records and B3Sci Records and was previously signed to Harvest Records. He has created artwork for a variety of well known entertainers including Foster the People, The Velvet Teen, Maroon 5, Robin Thicke, Mikky Ekko, T. Mills, Andy Dick, Jerry Stiller, L.A. Salami and others. In 2014, Zane Lowe and BBC Radio 1 called Young & Sick the "Next Hype" and the project was named Stereogum's "Band to Watch."
Louis Schefano is an American singer-songwriter, producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Birmingham, Alabama, United States. He has recorded under various monikers including Regia, Louis, and Suspicious Light. Schefano was also a founding member of Remy Zero and Little Red Rocket, and has performed, produced or recorded with Azure Ray, Maria Taylor, Verbena, Cheshires, Bright Eyes, The Ladybug Transistor, and Jaymay.
In the Next Life is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Maria Taylor, also a member of Azure Ray. It was released on December 9, 2016, on her label Flower Moon Records. The first single "If Only", features guest vocals by Omaha singer-songwriter Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes.
Waves is the eighth studio release by American duo Azure Ray, consisting of Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink. It was released on October 26, 2018 on Flower Moon Records.
