El Cantador | |
---|---|
Origin | Mobile, Alabama |
Genres | Rock, pop, experimental rock, folk rock |
Years active | 2007–2015 |
Labels | This is American Music |
Members | Heath Underwood Sean Murphy Alex Scharr |
Website | www.elcantador.com |
El Cantador was an American rock [1] band formed in 2007 in Mobile, Alabama, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from dance-rock [2] and folk [3] to experimental rock. The band consisted of Heath Underwood (vocals, guitars), Sean Murphy (drums, percussion, vocals), and Alex Scharr (bass, synthesizers, vocals). They self-released several EPs including their debut Orange EP (2007) and a studio album Fools for Light , released on May 3, 2011.
In conjunction with Mod Mobilian Records, Fools for Light was re-released in 2013 on This is American Music, a Southern record label with whom El Cantador recently signed. On February 26, 2013 El Cantador released a new EP: Translation Wave. [4]
Mobile, Alabama's El Cantador hit the ground running in 2007 and has not paused to look back. What began as introspective folk influenced ballads (Orange EP 2007) and Americana tinged rock (The Ground EP 2008) has developed into more progressive and expressive compositions with moments of quiet clarity and upbeat reckless abandonment. Continuing in their search and exploration of new instruments and ideas, the band recorded their first full-length album Fools For Light (2011) across the street from the Gulf of Mexico and originally self-released under Friends Fight Records.
Recently, the band has joined with Atlanta's This Is American Music Label and Mobile’s Mod Mobilian Records for the re-release of Fools For Light and the release of their latest effort: Translation Wave. El Cantador consists of multi-instrumentalist Alex Scharr on electric bass, synthesizers, keys, and backing vocals; founding member Sean Murphy continues his role in as the lone drummer and percussionist; and the group's overall aesthetic is rounded out with founding member and guitarist Heath Underwood's songwriting and vocal performances.
With a focused strength in the craft of songwriting, El Cantador’s songs reflect often on a passionate inner-life that is at times intensely overwhelming and at war with itself; especially amongst universal themes of identity and acceptance into social and personal circles. This is not a band that will follow a crowd or shirk a bet for fear of risk. This is the band that will stay true to making their music their way, and they cordially, sincerely, invite you to join them.
El Cantador has shared the stage with the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Alabama Shakes, Cage The Elephant, Colour Revolt, Shovels & Rope, and many talented more. Past and recent music festivals include: SouthSounds Music Festival (2011 & 2012), the Hangout Beach and Music Festival (2010), 92 Zew’s Second Tuesday Series, Bayfest (2009), and Next Big Nashville (2009).
The band announced their separation with two farewell shows in 2015. [5]
Men Without Hats are a Canadian new wave and synth-pop band, originally from Montreal, Quebec. Their music is characterized by the baritone voice of their lead singer Ivan Doroschuk, as well as their elaborate use of synthesizers and electronic processing. They achieved their greatest popularity in the 1980s with "The Safety Dance", a worldwide top ten hit, and "Pop Goes the World". After a hiatus for most of the 1990s and 2000s, Doroschuk reformed the band in 2010, and released Love in the Age of War (2012). The group, based in Vancouver, has continued to perform, including tour dates in support of the release of two studio albums, Men Without Hats Again , in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
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Poi Dog Pondering is an American musical group which is noted for its cross-pollination of diverse musical genres, including various forms of acoustic and electronic music. Frank Orrall founded the band in Hawaii in 1984, initially as a solo project. In 1985 Orrall formed the first line-up of PDP to perform its first concert at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. The band embarked on a yearlong street performance busking tour across North America. They eventually settled down in Austin, Texas in 1987, where they recorded their first three albums. In 1992, the band relocated to Chicago and they began to incorporate orchestral arrangements and elements of electronic, house music, and soul music into their acoustic rock style. The membership of Poi Dog Pondering has evolved from album to album, with Frank Orrall a constant player since the inception of the band.
Oysterband is a British folk rock and folk punk band formed in Canterbury around 1976.
Great Lake Swimmers is a Canadian folk rock band from Wainfleet, Ontario, and currently based in Toronto.
Mock Orange is an American indie rock band from Evansville, Indiana, United States. They debuted in 1998 during a growing emo and punk musical climate.
The Reason is a Canadian rock band, formed by Adam White and James Nelan in 2003 in Hamilton, Ontario.
Koufax was an American indie rock band from Toledo, Ohio.
Warpaint is an American indie rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2004. The band consists of Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg, and Stella Mozgawa (drums).
Woods is an American folk rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2005. The band consists of Jeremy Earl, Jarvis Taveniere, Aaron Neveu (drums), Chuck Van Dyck (bass), and Kyle Forester. The band's former bassist, Kevin Morby, left the band in 2013.
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FTANNG! are an Electronica / Alternative rock duo from Essen and Bochum, Germany. The band was founded by Dorian Deveraux as a solo outlet after his departure from Jesus on Extasy in 2010 and later joined by Pee Wee Vignold.
Fools for Light is the first full-length album by El Cantador, released on May 3, 2011. Recording the album took place over eleven days in a beachside home in December 2010, with additional recording sessions until March 2011 in Mobile, Alabama. Fools for Light was self-produced and mixed by El Cantador's Alex Scharr and Sean Murphy at Glenwood Studios in Mobile. Fools for Light was mastered by Roger Seibel, known for his work with Broken Social Scene and Death Cab for Cutie, at SAE Mastering in Phoenix, Arizona. The album was re-released in 2013 by Mod Mobilian Records and This Is American Music.
Translation Wave is the fifth extended play (EP) by El Cantador, released on February 26, 2013.
This is American Music is an American independent record label that specializes in rock and Americana music, particularly by artists from the Southeastern United States. It was formed in 2011.
Mod Mobilian was a regional website focused on the music, art and culture of metro Mobile, the Eastern Shore, and the surrounding areas of the Southeastern United States. It was started in 2009 by co-editors Trey Lane and Doc Valso. It had over 20 contributing writers including videographer Kris Skoda, disc jockey Emily Hayes, columnist Kevin Lee, playwright Danielle Juzan, and political columnist Jessica James. It was the largest independent arts and culture website on the Central Gulf Coast in terms of social network followers and monthly views. In 2012, it was the official interview crew for Deluna Fest in Pensacola, Florida. In 2012, it was selected as "Best Local Website" by the newspaper Lagniappe. It is a contributing site to the multi-state Southern music aggregator website, SouthSounds Review.
The Dirty Clergy is a garage rock/pop band from Winfield, Alabama, whose music has been described as vintage rock, indie rock, and "indie rock pop'n'roll". Their music recalls '50s and early '60s rock 'n' roll, while also possessing hard edge. The band has been featured on numerous radio programs including Nights with Alice Cooper and Rodney on the Roq at KROQ Los Angeles. Most recently the band was featured in season 10 episodes of the Showtime series Shameless.
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