Doug Martsch

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Doug Martsch
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Background information
Birth nameDouglas G. Martsch
Born (1969-09-16) September 16, 1969 (age 55)
Twin Falls, Idaho, U.S.
Origin Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Genres Indie rock
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion
Years active1988–present
Labels Up, Warner, Sub Pop

Doug Martsch (born September 16, 1969) is an American singer and musician. He is best known for his distinctive vocals and guitar playing style in the band Built to Spill.

Contents

Career

Martsch's first band was Farm Days, with Andy Capps and Brett Nelson in the early 1980s. His second band was Treepeople, with whom he released three albums and two EPs. He has been the lead singer and guitarist of Built to Spill since 1992. [1] With Built to Spill, he developed a reputation as a preeminent indie rock guitarist; his guitar playing style blends rock, pop, blues, and folk. His influences include J Mascis, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Caustic Resin, Mississippi Fred McDowell, David Bowie, and Neil Young. [2]

In 1994, Martsch formed The Halo Benders with Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening and released three albums.

In 2002, Martsch released his first solo album, Now You Know , to critical acclaim. In 2011, he contributed to a tribute album to The Smiths entitled Please, please, please... with a cover of "Reel Around The Fountain". [3]

Personal life

Martsch was previously married [4] to Built to Spill co-lyricist Karena Youtz, the sister of former Built to Spill member Ralf Youtz. They have a son. [5]

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Ancient Melodies of the Future is the fifth album by indie rock band Built to Spill. The core line-up of the band remained as it had for the previous two albums, with singer/guitarist Doug Martsch, bassist Brett Nelson, and drummer Scott Plouf. The album was recorded at Bear Creek in Woodinville, Washington, with overdubs recorded at Avast! Recording Co. in Seattle, Washington, and Martsch's studio, The Manhouse, in Boise, Idaho. Ancient Melodies of the Future was released in 2001 by Warner Bros.

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Ralf Youtz is an American musician. Youtz was the original drummer in the Boise, Idaho-based indie rock band Built to Spill. He appeared on their 1993 debut album, Ultimate Alternative Wavers. Youtz was replaced by Andy Capps after the album's release, although he would work with Martsch again with The Halo Benders. Youtz also had short stints with the bands Sone and The Feelings. Youtz played guitar and sang in Ape Shape, which opened for Built to Spill on several dates of their 2005 tour. He also played bass in The No-No's. His sister, Karena Youtz was married to Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch. In 2019, Youtz joined the Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers as a snare drummer.

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References

  1. Quick, Quentin (February 17, 2018). "Built to Spill's Doug Martsch uncovers the story behind 'Keep It Like a Secret'". SF Examiner. Archived from the original on Feb 17, 2018.
  2. AllMusic profile of Built to Spill
  3. "Lil B, Built to Spill's Doug Martsch to headline Modest Music Fest". Spokesman. September 25, 2018.
  4. "Special in other ways – an Interview with Built to Spill". 8 September 2022.
  5. "Doug Martsch - You gotta move - Page 2 of 2". September 2002.