Shelter Belt (band)

Last updated
Shelter Belt
Origin Omaha, Nebraska
Genres Pop rock
Years active2000s-present
Labels(self-released)
Website beltcave.com

Shelter Belt is a pop band from Omaha, Nebraska who are eclectic in style and use a wide array of instruments. They are known to switch instruments during shows. [1] They are also known for their DIY work ethic, handling all aspects of the band themselves. They record in their own studio, known as the Beltcave, and they book their own tours without the assistance of a record label or booking agent. [2]

Contents

The band collectively cites Marvin Gaye, Gustavo Cerati, Tom Waits, Prince, Manu Chao, Willie Nelson and others as influences.

History

Shelter Belt's first album, Nothing Makes Me Sad Ever, was released in 2000. In 2002 Shelter Belt was featured on the NE vs. NC compilation with Desaparecidos, The Good Life, Cursive, Fizzle Like A Flood, Sorry About Dresden and Neva Dinova.

In 2004, Shelter Belt released Rain Home. In 2006, the group released Under The World Awhile and performed a series of album release parties throughout the midwest. [3] During a concert with Neva Dinova, drummer Anthony Knuppel drank a pitcher of beer as his "special dance". [4]

Aside from their seven members, Shelter Belt also frequently use guest musicians to diversify their sound. The late Omaha jazz veteran Luigi Waites was amongst them and later joined the group, adding depth to their sound by way of vibraphone and marimba. Members Jesse J. Otto and Anthony Knuppel have also worked with Omaha artist Fizzle Like A Flood.

In 2007 Shelter Belt released the short film Extraordinary Leverage, which they collectively produced and scored. The soundtrack also includes Waites playing vibraphone. [5]

Shelter Belt toured the Hawaiian Islands twice; once in 2007 and once in 2008. [6]

Shelter Belt was invited to play both the 2006 and 2008 Missouri Valley History Conference. [7] The recording of the 2008 performance at Joslyn Castle became their album Live at Joslyn Castle.

In 2009, Shelter Belt released Everyone Might Be A Senator, a rock opera based on a character who is obsessed with his fear of senators. [8]

During the summer of 2010, Shelter Belt was featured on the music podcast Coverville for a show about rapper Eminem. Their instrumental cover of Dr. Dre's "Forgot About Dre" is also found on their 2010 all-covers recording, These Songs were not written by Shelter Belt. The cover album was again featured in a 2014 episode, praising Shelter Belt's rendition of Goodnight, Irene.

In December 2013, Shelter Belt released their first EP, I Can't Be Wrong Again, containing seven original songs from the sessions for their forthcoming albums.

On July 28, 2015, Shelter Belt released two new studio albums: Look At Your Hands, You've Got Explaining To Do, and Money In The Weeds.

After releasing a 28-song compilation of unreleased material entitled Outtakes in 2017, Shelter Belt announced a new album on October 14, 2022 entitled The Comforts of a Home You Were Forced to Build. [9]

Band members

[10]

Past members

Discography

Albums

EPs

Live albums

Compilations

song: "In Your Door"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bright Eyes (band)</span> American indie rock band

Bright Eyes is an American indie rock band founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist Conor Oberst. It consists of Oberst, multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis, arranger, composer and trumpet and piano player Nate Walcott, and a rotating line-up of collaborators drawn primarily from Omaha's indie music scene. Between 1998 and 2011, the band's albums were released through Saddle Creek Records, a Nebraska-based label founded by Justin Oberst and Mogis. In January 2020, the band announced their return, having signed with Dead Oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saddle Creek Records</span> American record label

Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Mike Mogis and Justin Oberst in 1993. Mogis soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel. The label is named after Saddle Creek Road, a major street that cuts through Midtown Omaha, and the beginnings of a scene whose members included Justin's brother Conor Oberst, Tim Kasher, and others. Collectively, they were known unofficially as the "Creekers". Saddle Creek first appeared in print on a show flyer, offering to "Spend an evening with Saddle Creek" Saddle Creek became an incorporated entity as a result of a class project on entrepreneurship. Distribution is handled by Redeye Distribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conor Oberst</span> American musician

Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, the Faint, Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Monsters of Folk, and Better Oblivion Community Center. Oberst was named the Best Songwriter of 2008 by Rolling Stone magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cash Money Records</span> American record label

Cash Money Records is an American record label founded in 1991 by brothers Ronald "Slim" Williams and Bryan "Birdman" Williams. Distributed by Republic Records, the label has been home to a roster of mostly hip hop artists, including Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj. The company is regarded as one of the most successful record labels of the 2000s–2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Wait Awhile</span> 1987 single by Janet Jackson

"Let's Wait Awhile" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album Control (1986). It was released on January 6, 1987 on A&M Records as the album's fifth single. The song was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with Melanie Andrews serving as co-writer. It is also the first song Jackson co-produced. "Let's Wait Awhile" was inspired by conversations Andrews had with her childhood boyfriend, just young teenagers at the time. Through those conversations, she was inspired to write the lyrics, which discuss sexual abstinence and postponing sexual intimacy within a relationship until the time is right.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Good Life (band)</span> American indie rock band

The Good Life is an indie rock band on Saddle Creek Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Elizondo</span> American producer, songwriter, and musician

Mike Elizondo is an American producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. A protege of Dr. Dre, Elizondo has worked with 50 Cent, Eminem, Carrie Underwood, Fiona Apple, Mastodon, Ry Cooder, Skylar Grey, Twenty One Pilots, Nelly Furtado, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others. His songwriting credits include "In da Club" by 50 Cent, Eminem's "Just Lose It" and "The Real Slim Shady", "Family Affair" by Mary J. Blige, and Carrie Underwood's "Cowboy Casanova". A Grammy award-winner and five-time nominee, he has twice been nominated in the Producer of the Year category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Mogis</span> American multi-instrumentalist

Michael Riley Mogis is an American producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios. Mogis currently runs ARC in downtown Omaha.

<i>Journey Through the Past</i> 1972 soundtrack album by Neil Young

Journey Through the Past is a double LP soundtrack album from the film of the same name by Canadian / American musician Neil Young, released in November 1972 on Reprise Records, catalogue number 2XS 6480. It peaked at #45 on the Billboard 200. Its initial release was on vinyl, cassette tape, reel-to-reel tape, and 8-track tape cartridge. Although its follow-up Time Fades Away was finally released on CD in August 2017, Journey Through the Past remains the only 1970s Neil Young album yet to see an official CD reissue.

<i>One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels</i> 2004 EP by Bright Eyes and Neva Dinova

One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels is a collaborative split EP by Bright Eyes and Neva Dinova. It was released in 2004 on Crank! Records. It was also reissued on CD/LP/Digital by Saddle Creek Records on March 23, 2010, with four newly recorded bonus tracks not included on the original release, which were written/recorded in late 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orenda Fink</span> Musical artist

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, 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.

Gretta Cohn is a cellist who is best known for playing cello in the rock group Cursive from 2001-2005. She left the group in August 2005. Her departure was announced on the Cursive website in late August:

Cursive regrets to announce the departure of cellist Gretta Cohn. After four years in the band, Gretta has decided to leave Omaha to pursue other interests and projects, including a potential solo album. The split is very amicable: the band wishes her well and she in turn eagerly anticipates the new Cursive material to come. Cursive will not be seeking a replacement.

<i>Lagniappe</i> (album) 2005 compilation album by Various artists

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.

Neva Dinova is an indie band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band is named after the grandmother of lead singer Jake Bellows. They were initially on crank! a record company, and recorded a collaborative album with Bright Eyes entitled One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels. In April 2008, the band released their first album from Saddle Creek Records entitled You May Already Be Dreaming. Drummer Roger Lewis is also the drummer for fellow Saddle Creek band The Good Life, with whom Bellows completed a solo tour in the fall of 2016. Bellows remained a key associate with Bright Eyes in 2006 and 2007 and contributed to the album Cassadaga.

Julius Wechter was an American musician and composer who played the marimba and vibraphone. He also played various percussion instruments. He composed the song "Spanish Flea" for Herb Alpert and was leader of The Baja Marimba Band.

Music in Omaha, Nebraska, has been a diverse and important influence in the culture of the city. Long a home to jazz, blues, funk and rock, today Omaha has dozens of subgenres represented, including Latin, alternative rock and hip hop. Omaha's historical music contributions include being the home of a thriving African American music scene from the 1920s. More recently, it is home to indie rock's "Omaha Sound" and the birthplace of one of pop music's most successful producers, Terry Lewis. Also home to Rapper/Producer King Iso who is Signed to Strange Music & Second Home To International Recording Artist Lil Christ Kross Pronounced "Chris"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alessi's Ark</span> English singer-songwriter

Alessi's Ark is the musical project of Alessi Laurent-Marke, an English singer-songwriter.

Fizzle Like a Flood was the moniker Doug Kabourek chose for his one-man recording project. Kabourek drummed in an early version of what would eventually become The Faint, and for Iowa City's Matchbook Shannon. His first solo-artist-under-a-band-name project was The Laces, which released two albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kush (song)</span> 2010 single by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg and Akon

"Kush" is a single by American rapper Dr. Dre, featuring vocals by Snoop Dogg and Akon. It was released via digital download on November 18, 2010. The song was produced by DJ Khalil and mixed by Dr. Dre, with additional keys by Daniel "Danny Keyz" Tannenbaum. The song has additional vocals by Sly "Pyper" Jordan, Kobe Honeycutt and Blackthoven.

<i>Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was</i> 2020 studio album by Bright Eyes

Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was is the tenth studio album by American band Bright Eyes. The album marked the band's first release in nearly a decade, following The People's Key in 2011. It was released by Dead Oceans on August 21, 2020, and it was their first album not released by Saddle Creek Records. The album was recorded at Electro-Vox and Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska.

References

  1. "Show Reviews - 2004". Starcityscene.com. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  2. "Lazy-i: Column 50: Shelter Belt comes home from the road". Timmcmahan.com. 2005-11-10. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  3. www2.dana.edu(PDF) https://web.archive.org/web/20071022023535/http://www2.dana.edu/review/spring07.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 22, 2007.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. "Show Reviews - 2004". Starcityscene.com. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  5. Mull, Amanda (2008-04-22). "AthTrack: CD Review: Shelter Belt's "Songs from Extraordinary Leverage"". Athtrack.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  6. "" + artTitle.replace("-","") + " - " + "Ka Leo The Voice" + " - " + "Mixed Plate" + "". Kaleo.org. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  7. "UNO | MVHC | History". Unomaha.edu. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  8. "The Perilous Consequences of Getting Side-Tracked | Josh the Intern's Blog". Joshtheinternsblog.wordpress.com. 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  9. https://beltcave.com/new-shelter-belt-album/
  10. https://beltcave.com/about/