S. Carey

Last updated

Sean Carey
Birth nameSean Carey
Origin Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Genres
Years active2008–present
Labels Jagjaguwar
Website scarey.org

Sean Carey is an American musician from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, best known as the drummer and supporting vocalist of indie folk band Bon Iver. In August 2010, Carey released his first solo album, All We Grow , which he began working on in 2008 during hiatuses from performing with the band. [1]

Contents

Comparisons have been drawn between Carey's harmonies and those of Brian Wilson in his 2004 album Smile . [2] His music has also been likened to that of Sufjan Stevens, Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine, José González, Steve Reich, and Talk Talk. [2] [3] [4]

Background

Sean Carey grew up in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. As the child of a singer and a music teacher, Carey has been immersed in music his entire life. [5] He was raised listening to James Taylor, The Beach Boys, and Bruce Hornsby. At the age of ten he learned to play the drums and developed a deep love of jazz percussion after hearing his oldest sister perform in the middle school jazz band. [5] [6]

In 2007, Carey graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a performance degree in classical percussion. [1] [7] That same year, upon hearing through mutual friends that Justin Vernon was planning on forming a band (Bon Iver), Carey listened to For Emma, Forever Ago on MySpace until he had learned all the songs. Said Carey:

They weren’t just good songs, they were great, interesting, unique; it’s a beautiful album. So I spent two weeks holed up in my bedroom with laptop, headphones and notebook, and I wrote down all the drum parts and learned all the lyrics, melodies and harmonies. When the band I was in opened for Justin at his first local show as Bon Iver, I told him I knew all his songs and I wanted to play with him. [7]

After singing a few songs backstage, Vernon and Carey realized how good their voices sounded together. Vernon asked Carey to play the show with him that night, and officially signed him to the band later that same evening. [6] [7]

Solo career and debut album

Carey's solo career came about semi-accidentally. After each month-long stint of touring with Bon Iver, Carey would return to Eau Claire for three weeks. During his time at home, Carey would record songs and experiment with layering sounds together. [1] [5]

I didn't start out thinking I was going to write an album. I had a couple song ideas, and it just went from there. I recorded a few songs, and as time went on I got further into those songs and recorded more layers, then I had friends come over and record stuff I couldn't play, and by that time I had come up with more songs until finally I just had this full length thing. [5]

Carey recorded most of the music on All We Grow by himself with few exceptions. Jeremy Boettcher (bass), Nick Ball (guitar), and Bon Iver bandmate Mike Noyce (viola) played a large percentage of the music that Carey could not. Sean's sister Shannon Carey provided background vocals on two tracks, and Aaron Hedenstrom and Chris Thompson provided miscellaneous musical support. [8]

The song "In the Dirt" appears in the last scene of the episode "The Dig" from the Season 7 of the TV series House M.D. [9] and also in the last scene of the episode "What Went Wrong" from season 3 of the TV series The Good Wife .

Carey produced and appears on Owen's ninth album The King of Whys. [10]

Tour

From September 8 to October 3, 2010, S. Carey toured North America with Swedish folk singer Kristian Matsson, otherwise known as The Tallest Man on Earth. During that time, the group performed fourteen times in Vancouver, Seattle, California, Arizona, Texas, Toronto, Montreal, New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC. [11] When asked what it was like touring with Matsson, Carey responded:

He is honestly one of the greatest performers in the world right now. He is captivating. His guitar playing, singing, his songs, lyrics — they’re all amazing. We are so honored to be on this tour. [6]

S. Carey performed at CMJ 2010, and was considered "the most buzzed-about act of the day." [12] He spent a great deal of the summer of 2011 opening for David Bazan before joining the Bon Iver tour as band director and one of two drummers.

Discography

Related Research Articles

Wisconsin was settled largely by European immigrants in the late 19th century. This immigration led to the popularization of galops, schottisches, waltzes, and, especially, polkas. Classical composers and conductors from Wisconsin include Hans Balatka, Hugo Kaun, Eugene Luening, Theodore Steinmetz and Sarge Boyd. Among Wisconsin's contributions to rock music were Les Paul, an electric guitar pioneer known as the "Wizard of Waukesha". The Steve Miller Band, with Milwaukee's Steve Miller, had three #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1973 to 1982. The Chordettes from Sheboygan, Bon Iver from Eau Claire, and Garbage from Madison all had albums on the Billboard 200.

Jagjaguwar is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana.

Eaux Claires, also known as the Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival, was a two-day music and arts festival that took place for four years in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The festival took what was to be a year-long hiatus in 2019 but was expected to return in 2020, before being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bon Iver</span> American indie folk band

Bon Iver is an American indie folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. Vernon had originally formed Bon Iver as a solo project, but it eventually became a band consisting of Vernon, Sean Carey, Michael Lewis, Matthew McCaughan, Andrew Fitzpatrick, and Jenn Wasner

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Vernon</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1981)

Justin DeYarmond Edison Vernon is an American singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He is best-known as the primary songwriter and frontman of indie folk band Bon Iver. He is also a member of the bands Volcano Choir, Big Red Machine, the Shouting Matches, and Gayngs, and was previously a member of the now-defunct band DeYarmond Edison. Known for his distinct falsetto voice, Vernon has received widespread acclaim for his work, predominantly with Bon Iver.

<i>For Emma, Forever Ago</i> 2007 studio album by Bon Iver

For Emma, Forever Ago is the debut studio album by American indie folk band Bon Iver. It was first self-released in July 2007, and later saw wide release on the Jagjaguwar label in February 2008. The album is principally the work of singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. While living in Raleigh, North Carolina, Vernon fell ill with mononucleosis and a liver infection, and grew frustrated with his songwriting and life. He left Raleigh and drove to his father's remote hunting cabin an hour northwest of his hometown, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, hoping to be alone.

DeYarmond Edison is the former band of the members of Bon Iver, Megafaun, and Field Report. Guitarist and vocalist Justin Vernon went on to create Bon Iver; three members formed the freak folk group Megafaun, and Christopher Porterfield began composing, eventually establishing Field Report.

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<i>All We Grow</i> 2010 studio album by S. Carey

All We Grow is the debut album of S. Carey. The album was recorded over a period of two years at Carey's home and at Justin Vernon's studio during breaks from touring with Bon Iver. Carey has cited Justin Vernon, Megafaun, Bowerbirds, A.A. Bondy, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Feist, and Sigur Rós as some of his major inspirations for All We Grow.

<i>A Decade with Duke</i> 2009 live album by Eau Claire Memorial , Jazz Ensemble I featuring Justin Vernon

A Decade with Duke is a live music CD featuring Justin Vernon from Bon Iver in collaboration with the Eau Claire Memorial Jazz I Ensemble directed by Bruce Hering. Steve Thompson of National Public Radio's All Things Considered ranked the album as his sixth favorite of 2010.

<i>Bon Iver</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Bon Iver

Bon Iver is the second studio album from American indie folk band Bon Iver, released on June 17, 2011. The album is composed of 10 songs and was seen as a new musical direction for the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bon Iver discography</span>

The discography of American indie folk band Bon Iver consists of four studio albums, two extended plays (EP), eight singles and four music videos. The material has been released by the Jagjaguwar label in North America and by the 4AD label in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holocene (song)</span> 2011 single by Bon Iver

"Holocene" is a song by American indie folk band Bon Iver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Staves</span> English indie folk band

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beth/Rest</span> 2012 single by Bon Iver

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<i>22, A Million</i> 2016 studio album by Bon Iver

22, A Million is the third studio album by American indie folk band Bon Iver, released on September 30, 2016. Recorded in lead member Justin Vernon's April Base studio in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the album marks a major shift in the band's sound and incorporates elements of electronic music and hip hop production influenced by Vernon's prior work with Kanye West. Most of the lyricism concerns Bon Iver's rise in popularity and how Vernon's relationship with the world has changed as a result.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey, Ma (Bon Iver song)</span> 2019 single by Bon Iver

"Hey, Ma" is a song recorded by American indie folk band Bon Iver. It was released on June 3, 2019, as the lead single from their fourth studio album, I, I through Jagjaguwar, alongside "U ".

<i>I, I</i> 2019 studio album by Bon Iver

I, I is the fourth studio album by American indie folk band Bon Iver. It was released track by track per hour on August 8, 2019; the intro only being available on the Bon Iver fan subreddit until August 9, when the album was released properly on all services, with a physical release to follow on August 30. The album was preceded by the singles "Hey, Ma" and "U ", and the tracks "Faith" and "Jelmore" were released alongside the album pre-order. I, I features contributions from James Blake, Aaron Dessner, Bruce Hornsby, Moses Sumney, and Channy Leaneagh, among others. The album was nominated for Best Recording Package, Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Record of the Year for the song "Hey, Ma".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yi and iMi</span> Pair of songs by American band Bon Iver

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "First Listen: S. Carey, 'All We Grow'". NPR. August 15, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Album: S. Carey, All We Grow (Jagjaguwar)". The Independent . August 27, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  3. ↑ "JAG181 S. Carey - All We Grow". Jagjaguwar . Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  4. ↑ "S. Carey: All We Grow - Music Review". Slant. August 18, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "S. Carey Grows to New Heights with Debut LP". The Observer. September 18, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 "S. Carey Q&A". Live Buzz. September 19, 2010. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 "Once upon a good winter, forever ago". University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. 2009. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Reviews - S Carey". The Quietus. August 27, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  9. ↑ Archived March 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ "Viking's Choice: Owen 'Lost'". NPR Music. May 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Tallest Man on Earth Books Fall Tour". Pitchfork Media. July 7, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  12. ↑ Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
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