Salem (American band)

Last updated

Salem
Origin Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Years active2006–2012, 2016, 2020–present
Labels
Members
  • Jack Donoghue
  • John Holland
Past members
  • Heather Marlatt
Website www.s4lem.com

Salem (sometimes stylized as S4LEM or SALEM) is an American electronic music band from Traverse City, Michigan. It was founded by Heather Marlatt, Jack Donoghue and John Holland. [3] Salem is considered one of the pioneers of the witch house genre.

Contents

Salem released its debut album King Night in 2010. In 2020, the group released a mixtape, Stay Down, followed by their second album, Fires in Heaven , both without Marlatt, [4] who is disputing her ouster. [5]

History

While John Holland was living in Chicago, he met Jack Donoghue. Salem officially formed in 2006 after he simultaneously struck up a friendship with Donoghue and his friend since his time in school, Heather Marlatt, ended up moving in with him. [6] The trio began working on music in Holland's home studio. The band's first two releases are the EP's Yes I Smoke Crack and Water, both released in 2008. [7]

Salem released the debut studio album, King Night , in 2010. [8] It was included on the year-end lists by AllMusic, [9] DIY , [10] NME , [11] The Quietus , [12] and Stereogum . [13] The band's infamous March 18, 2010 performance at South by Southwest at the Fader Fort received widespread negative reviews from music critics and saw the band booed off the stage. [14] [15] In 2020, Steven Hyden wrote for Uproxx that it was "one of the worst and least competent musical performances by a supposedly professional act to happen in the early 21st century." [16]

Salem had been inactive since 2012, with no new releases since their 2011 EP I'm Still in the Night . In 2016, a new Salem album was announced by photographer Wolfgang Tillmans, who confirmed the news on his Instagram account. [17] In that year, Salem officially returned with a remix of Tillmans' song "Make It Up as You Go Along", which was included on his Device Control EP. [18] [19] [20] However, the band was not fully revived until May 2020 where Salem premiered a new mixtape titled Stay Down, which was presented on NTS Radio. [21] This reboot of the band happened without member Heather Marlatt, who gave a negative public comment about the situation stating she was kicked out. [5]

Salem released their first single in nearly a decade "Starfall" on September 18, 2020, via Mad Decent's Decent Distribution. The music video follows the band's trip with veteran storm trackers through Tulsa, Oklahoma and Dallas as well as through Texas during tornado season. It was directed by Donoghue and Holland along Tommy Malekoff. [22] In a press release, it was stated that the song was "a signal of additional work to come". [23] Their second album Fires in Heaven , which comes ten years after their debut, was released on October 30, 2020. [24] Along its pre-order on October 16, a new single called "Red River" was unveiled. [25] [4]

On November 10, 2022, Salem performed a surprise DJ set for the opening party of clothing brand Supreme’s flagship store in Chicago, Illinois, marking the band’s first performance in over 10 years. On July 28, 2023, Salem performed their first solo live set in 12 years. The show took place at El Dorado Bumper Cars in Coney Island, New York City, tickets for which sold out within minutes after going live online.[ citation needed ]

Style and influences

According to Heather Phares of AllMusic, Salem's sound blends ethereal electronica and slow Southern hip hop rhythms, and is noted for pioneering the music subgenre known as witch house. [26]

Band members

Current
Former

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

DJ mix releases

Singles

Remixes

Productions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gucci Mane</span> American rapper (born 1980)

Radric Delantic Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, is an American rapper. He is credited, along with fellow Atlanta-based rappers T.I. and Jeezy, with pioneering the hip hop subgenre trap music for mainstream audiences into the 2000s. His debut studio album, Trap House (2005) was released by the independent label Big Cat Records and entered the Billboard 200; it was followed by Hard to Kill (2006), which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 entry with its 2007 single, "Freaky Gurl". That same year, he released his third album, Trap-A-Thon before signing with Atlantic Records to release his fourth album, Back to the Trap House (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Drama</span> American DJ and record executive

Tyree Cinque Simmons, known professionally as DJ Drama, is an American disc jockey (DJ), record executive and music promoter. He initially gained recognition as the DJ for Atlanta-based rapper T.I., and continued to gain prominence hosting mixtapes for other hip hop artists. His trademark Gangsta Grillz series is present on releases of which he has compiled; it has been popularized by artists including Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, Snoop Dogg, Yo Gotti, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Fabolous, Jeezy, Meek Mill, and Gucci Mane, among others. Alongside record producer and fellow Philadelphia native Don Cannon, he co-founded the record label Generation Now in 2015, an imprint of Atlantic Records which has signed artists including Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow.

The discography of Shawty Lo, an American hip hop recording artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Shawty Lo embarked on his career with the Southern hip hop group D4L. The discography consists of one studio album, one posthumous album, 15 mixtapes and 20 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Icy (Gucci Mane song)</span> 2005 single by Gucci Mane featuring Young Jeezy and Boo

"Icy" is the debut single by American rapper Gucci Mane, featuring fellow American rappers Young Jeezy and Boo of the group Boo & Gotti. The track was released on April 13, 2005, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Trap House. The track is credited as the breakout song for both Gucci Mane and Jeezy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gucci Mane discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

American rapper Gucci Mane has released 16 studio albums, 3 collaborative albums, 10 compilation albums, one soundtrack, 8 extended plays (EPs), 80 mixtapes and 100 singles and 16 promotional singles.

<i>The State vs. Radric Davis</i> 2009 studio album by Gucci Mane

The State vs. Radric Davis is the sixth studio album by American rapper Gucci Mane. It was released on December 8, 2009. The State vs. Radric Davis came after a slew of independent releases, mixtapes, and features over the prior few years. Productions from Polow da Don, Drumma Boy, Fatboi, Mannie Fresh, among others. Featured artists include Usher, Plies, Lil Wayne, Cam'ron, Soulja Boy, Rick Ross, Bun B, OJ da Juiceman, Wooh da Kid, Waka Flocka Flame, and Nicki Minaj. The iTunes deluxe version contains the EP, Wasted: The Prequel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemonade (Gucci Mane song)</span> 2009 song by Gucci Mane

"Lemonade" is a song by American rapper Gucci Mane, and the third official single from his sixth studio album The State vs. Radric Davis (2009). The single was released on December 7, 2009 and was produced by Bangladesh. The song interpolates and samples "Keep It Warm" by comedy rock duo Flo & Eddie, from their 1976 album Moving Targets, and incorporates the voices of children singing the song's chorus.

<i>Live from the Kitchen</i> 2012 studio album by Yo Gotti

Live from the Kitchen is the sixth studio album by American rapper Yo Gotti. It was released on January 10, 2012, by Polo Grounds Music; distributed by RCA Records. The album was supported by two singles: "We Can Get It On" and "Single".

<i>Burrrprint 2</i> 2010 mixtape by Gucci Mane

Burrrprint 2 is a mixtape by rapper Gucci Mane. It was released three months after the release of his fourth studio album The State vs. Radric Davis on March 13, 2010. It is the sequel to The Burrprint mixtape released in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hard in da Paint</span> 2009 single by Waka Flocka Flame

"Hard in da Paint" is the second single from American rapper Waka Flocka Flame's debut studio album Flockaveli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borgore</span> Israeli DJ and record producer

Yosef Asaf Borger, known professionally as Borgore, is an Israeli EDM producer, DJ, singer-songwriter and rapper. He is the founder of the label Buygore Records.

<i>BAYTL</i> 2011 studio album by Gucci Mane and V-Nasty

BAYTL is a collaboration album between rappers Gucci Mane and V-Nasty, produced by Zaytoven and Tha Bizness. The album was released on December 13, 2011, through 1017 Brick Squad Records, Vice Records, Asylum Records and Warner Bros. Records.

<i>Trap Back</i> 2012 mixtape by Gucci Mane

Trap Back is a mixtape by American rapper Gucci Mane. The mixtape was released online on February 5, 2012, coinciding with Super Bowl Sunday, at 10:17 a.m.—a reference to Gucci Mane's label, 1017 Bricksquad. It was Gucci Mane's first major recording project following his release from jail at the end of 2011, after spending a total of six months incarcerated that year. Trap Back was conceived as a "comeback mixtape" to revive the rapper's reputation and career, which had stalled for years due to ongoing legal troubles and other personal setbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shlohmo</span> American electronic musician and producer (born 1990)

Henry Laufer, known professionally as Shlohmo, is an American musician and producer from Los Angeles. He is best known for his experimental electronic production style, which blends left-field electronic production and hip hop, and for co-founding the record label Wedidit Records.

<i>The Return of East Atlanta Santa</i> 2016 studio album by Gucci Mane

The Return of East Atlanta Santa is the tenth studio album by American rapper Gucci Mane. It was released on December 16, 2016, by GUWOP Enterprises, RBC Records and Atlantic Records. The record serves as Gucci Mane's third commercial release of the year, following his release from prison, after Everybody Looking (2016) and Woptober (2016). The album features guest appearances from rappers Drake and Travis Scott, alongside singer Bryson Tiller, while the production was handled by Metro Boomin, Southside, Bangladesh, Zaytoven, Mike Will Made It and Murda Beatz, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make Love (Gucci Mane song)</span> 2017 single by Gucci Mane and Nicki Minaj

"Make Love" is a hip hop song by rappers Gucci Mane and Nicki Minaj. It was released as a single on February 23, 2017, by Young Money Entertainment and Atlantic Records as the first single from Mane's eleventh studio album Mr. Davis.

<i>Fires in Heaven</i> 2020 studio album by Salem

Fires in Heaven is the second studio album by American witch house band Salem. It was released on October 30, 2020 via Mad Decent's Decent Distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pooh Shiesty</span> American rapper from Tennessee (born 1999)

Lontrell Donell Williams, Jr., better known by his stage name Pooh Shiesty, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He signed with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records in 2020, he rose to prominence following his collaborations with the label's founder and cohorts. That same year, his single "Back in Blood" peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It preceded the release of his debut commercial mixtape Shiesty Season (2021), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. His stage name was given by his late brother, who adapted his childhood nickname "Mr. Pooh" with the vernacular slang term "shiesty"—referential of his lifestyle.

<i>Shiesty Season</i> 2021 mixtape by Pooh Shiesty

Shiesty Season is the debut mixtape by American rapper Pooh Shiesty. It was released on February 5, 2021, through Atlantic Records and 1017 Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Lil Durk, Gucci Mane, Big30, 21 Savage, Veeze, Foogiano, Lil Hank, Choppa Wop, and Tay Keith. The "Spring Deluxe" edition of the mixtape was released on May 21, 2021. It features additional guest appearances from G Herbo, No More Heroes, and Lil Baby. A "Certified" edition of the mixtape was released on April 29, 2022. It features guest appearances from Gunna, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, EST Gee, Big Scarr, 42 Dugg, Baby K, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Big30, Fat Wizza, and Jack Harlow.

Kwame Khalil Brown, better known by his stage name Foogiano, is an American rapper from Greensboro, Georgia. He signed with Gucci Mane's record label 1017 Records in 2020, and is best known for his single "Molly ", which released in May of that year. His debut studio album, Gutta Baby (2020) was released the following November.

References

  1. ↑ Eede, Christian (August 3, 2016). "Will Witch House Make A Comeback?". The Quietus . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  2. ↑ Chandler, Rachel (2011). "Salem – F/W 2011 Issue 16". Purple .
  3. ↑ Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (September 1, 2011). "Salem". Interview . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Noah Yoo (October 16, 2020). "SALEM Announce New Album Fires in Heaven, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork.
  5. 1 2 3 Heather, Marlatt. "Instagram post". Controversy. Heather Marie Marlatt. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  6. ↑ John Holland Interview by Michael Bullock December 2008, Butt Magazine
  7. ↑ "Salem: Strung Out". May 7, 2009.
  8. ↑ "King Night by Salem". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  9. ↑ "AllMusic's Favorite Albums of 2010". AllMusic . January 4, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  10. ↑ "DIY Albums Of The Year: The Winner Is..." DIY . December 17, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  11. ↑ "50 Best Albums Of 2010". NME . December 1, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  12. ↑ Turner, Luke (December 10, 2010). "Angst Music For Sex People: Quietus Albums Of The Year 2010 & Spotify Playlist". The Quietus . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Stereogum's Top 50 Albums Of 2010". Stereogum . December 8, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  14. ↑ Staff, BrooklynVegan. "Japandroids, Harlem, Salem (before they were booed) & others @ the Fader Fort (SXSW 2010) - pics & video". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  15. ↑ Friedlander, Emilie (November 5, 2020). "The Complicated Appeal of Salem, a Band that Makes Feeling Awful Sound Great". VICE. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Let's Remember The 10th Anniversary Of The Worst Musical Performance at SXSW Ever". UPROXX. March 6, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  17. ↑ Welsh, April Clare (August 3, 2016). "Salem to bring back witch house with first album in six years". Fact . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  18. ↑ Myers, Owen (August 22, 2016). "The Video For Salem's Remix Of Wolfgang Tillmans Will Give You Nightmares". The Fader . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  19. ↑ Lobenfeld, Claire (August 22, 2016). "Salem return with remix of Wolfang Tillmans' 'Make It Up As You Go Along'". Fact . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  20. ↑ Lozano, Kevin (August 22, 2016). "Salem Remix Wolfgang Tillmans' "Make It Up As You Go Along": Listen". Pitchfork . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Salem return after a lengthy silence with this remarkable mix, titled STAY DOWN". NTS.
  22. ↑ Bloom, Madison (September 18, 2020). "SALEM Return With Video for New Song "Starfall": Watch". Pitchfork .
  23. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (September 18, 2020). "Influential Witch House Group Salem Return After Ten Years With A Storm-Chasing 'Starfall' Video". Uproxx .
  24. ↑ "Fires In Heaven by Salem". iTunes, Apple Music. October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Red River – Single by Salem". iTunes, Apple Music. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  26. ↑ Phares, Heather. "SALEM: Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Pink Fog". 20jazzfunkgreats. June 11, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  28. ↑ Smith, Sam-Hockley (November 24, 2009). "We Make it Good Mix Series v. 11: Salem". The Fader . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  29. ↑ Smith, Sam-Hockley (April 23, 2010). "Salem, Raver Stay Wif Me Mix MP3". The Fader . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  30. ↑ Smith, Sam-Hockley (August 5, 2010). "Salem, I Buried My Heart Inna Wounded Knee Mix". The Fader . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  31. ↑ Reynaldo, Shawn (September 28, 2010). "Podcast 162: Salem". XLR8R . Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Gurn Baby Gurn". 5min2live.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  33. 1 2 "Mixtapes". Salem. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Feel slow, weird and too-much-cough-syrupy with new Salem mixtape". Columbus Alive . March 25, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  35. ↑ "SALEM "STAY DOWN" mixtape 5.2.2020 – official band page". Instagram .
  36. ↑ "Red River – Single by Salem". iTunes, Apple Music. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  37. ↑ Anderson, Sarah (July 20, 2011). "The 50 best remixes ever". NME . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  38. ↑ Smith, Sam-Hockley (October 1, 2009). "Salem Remix Gucci Mane". The Fader . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  39. ↑ Coplan, Chris (December 9, 2009). "Adult Swim puts together insanely awesome remix album". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  40. ↑ Hughes, Josiah (January 8, 2010). "Diplo Orchestrates Gucci Mane Remix Tape Featuring Flying Lotus, Salem and Zomby". Exclaim! . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  41. ↑ "DISCO2 (Bonus Content Version) by HEALTH". Apple Music . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  42. ↑ "SWRMXS by HIM". Apple Music . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  43. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (October 19, 2010). "New Release: These New Puritans: Hidden Remixes". Pitchfork . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  44. ↑ Bevan, David (June 23, 2011). ""Penny Sparkle (Salem Remix)"". Pitchfork . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  45. ↑ Francis, Bronya (May 5, 2011). "New music: Salem v Britney Spears – Till the World Ends". The Guardian . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Video: Britney Spears "Till The World Ends (Salem Remix)"". Complex . May 6, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Stay Away – EP by Charli XCX". Apple Music . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Try It On – EP by Interpol". Apple Music . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  49. ↑ Fallon, Patric (June 15, 2011). "Light Asylum "Shallow Tears (Like a Storm) (Salem Remix)"". XLR8R . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  50. ↑ Kim, Brandon (November 20, 2012). "Exclusive premiere: The Cult "Elemental Light" (SALEM Remix)". IFC . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Device Control – EP by Wolfgang Tillmans". Apple Music . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  52. ↑ Bladee & Mechatok - Grace (Salem Remix) , retrieved April 9, 2021
  53. ↑ Schnipper, Matthew (November 30, 2010). "Lil B Releases Red Flame Evil Edition, Samples Salem". The Fader . Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  54. ↑ Smith, Nadine. "Yung Lean: Stardust". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.