Sixpence None the Richer

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Sixpence None the Richer
SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER prassprasetio-04 (9341822631).jpg
Sixpence None the Richer performing in 2013
Background information
Origin New Braunfels, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Years active1992–2004, 2007–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • T.J. Behling
  • Tess Wiley
  • Joel Bailey
  • James Arhelger
  • J.J. Plasencio
  • Sean Kelly
  • Jerry Dale McFadden
  • Rob Mitchell
  • Jason Lehning
Website http://www.sixpencenonethericher.com/

Sixpence None the Richer (also known as Sixpence) is an American alternative rock band that formed in New Braunfels, Texas, and eventually settled in Nashville, Tennessee. They are best known for their songs "Kiss Me" and "Breathe Your Name" and their covers of "Don't Dream It's Over" and "There She Goes". The name of the band is inspired by a passage from the book Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. [1]

Contents

The band received two Grammy Award nominations, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Kiss Me" and Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album for Sixpence None the Richer (1997). [2]

History

Origin of the band's name

Vocalist Leigh Nash described the origin of the band's name on the Late Show with David Letterman : [3] [ failed verification ] [4]

It comes from a book by C. S. Lewis called Mere Christianity . [5] A little boy asks his father if he can get a sixpence—a very small amount of English currency in use at the time—to go and get a gift for his father. The father gladly accepts the gift and he's really happy with it, but he also realizes that he's not any richer for the transaction. C.S. Lewis was comparing that to his belief that God has given him, and us, the gifts that we possess, and to serve him the way we should, we should do it humbly—realizing how we got the gifts in the first place.

There is no certainty as to the exact origin of the phrase -- It was in use however around the time of Jane Austen’s authorship (e.g. as spoken of by John Dashwood) in 'Sense and Sensibility': "...and would not be sixpence the richer for it all at the end of the year."

Formation and early years (1992–1996)

Guitarist/songwriter Matt Slocum met Leigh Nash in the early 1990s. They recorded a demo, which circulates as "The Original Demos", with bassist T.J. Behling at Verge Music Works recording studio in Dallas, and eventually an album, The Fatherless and the Widow , for the independent label REX Music in 1993. After adding more members, the band toured in support of The Fatherless and The Widow. The band released This Beautiful Mess in 1995.

Into the mainstream (1997–2004)

In 1997, the group signed to Steve Taylor's label Squint Entertainment and released a self-titled album, which slowly began garnering attention from a wider audience in the mainstream industry.

In 1998, "Kiss Me" was released as a single, propelling Sixpence None the Richer into the national pop spotlight. The next year, the band followed up "Kiss Me" with a cover of The La's' "There She Goes". Sixpence appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman , The Tonight Show with Jay Leno , and numerous morning talk shows.

The band had a follow-up album ready to release, but their label Squint Entertainment started to fall apart, leaving the band in limbo for several years. Finally, Squint Entertainment folded and that album, Divine Discontent , was released in October 2002.

On February 26, 2004, Matt Slocum announced that the group had disbanded.

Reunion and Lost in Transition (2007–present)

In November 2007, Sixpence None the Richer reunited. They released the EP My Dear Machine on the website NoiseTrade in 2008, the band's first official release since The Best of Sixpence None the Richer in 2004.

In October 2008, they released a Christmas album titled The Dawn of Grace .

Sixpence signed to Credential Recordings and played a headline slot at the 2009 Greenbelt Festival in the UK. According to Nash, the band began recording a new album in January 2010. [6] [ better source needed ] The album, Lost in Transition, was released on August 7, 2012.

On November 12, 2016, the band performed at the Love Love Rock Festival in Taipei, Taiwan, playing the hits "Don't Dream It's Over", "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes". [7] [ better source needed ]

In January 2024, drummer Dale Baker has returned to the band, for the first time since leaving in 2001. On January 16, the band signed a management deal with Deep South Entertainment and plans on re-releasing their self-titled album on vinyl. [8]

Band members

Current members

Former members

Timeline

Sixpence None the Richer

Discography

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsWorkCategoryResult
1996 Dove Awards This Beautiful Mess Best Alternative/Modern Rock AlbumWon
1998 Sixpence None the Richer Nominated
Recorded Music Packaging of the YearNominated
"Love"Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song of the YearNominated
Billboard Music Video Awards"Kiss Me"Best New Artist Clip, Contemporary ChristianNominated
1999 Grammy Awards Sixpence None the Richer Best Rock Gospel Album Nominated
Teen Choice Awards "Kiss Me"Choice Music: Love SongNominated
Dove Awards Short Form Music Video of the YearNominated
Billboard Music Awards Top Hot 100 Airplay TrackNominated
Top Adult Top 40 TrackNominated
Top Soundtrack SingleWon
ThemselvesTop Hot 100 Artist - Duo/GroupNominated
Top Adult Top 40 ArtistNominated
2000 Grammy Awards "Kiss Me" Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals Nominated
APRA Music Awards Most Performed Foreign WorkNominated
Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards ThemselvesFavorite BandNominated
Dove Awards Group of the YearWon
2001 Young Hollywood Awards "Kiss Me"Best SongWon
BMI Pop Awards "There She Goes"Award-Winning Song [9] Won
2003 Dove Awards "Breathe Your Name"Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song of the YearWon
Divine Discontent Best Alternative/Modern Rock AlbumNominated
ThemselvesGroup of the YearNominated
BDSCertified Spin Awards "Kiss Me"600,000 SpinsWon
2006700,000 SpinsWon

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Taylor</span> American singer

Roland Stephen Taylor is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, music executive, film maker, assistant professor, and actor. A figure in what has come to be known as Christian alternative rock, Taylor enjoyed a successful solo career during the 1980s, and also served in the short-lived group Chagall Guevara. In contrast to many Christian musical artists, his songs have often taken aim at Christian hypocrisy or "error" with the use of satirical, sardonic lyrics. In 1997, he founded the record label Squint Entertainment, which fueled the careers of artists such as Sixpence None the Richer, Chevelle, and Burlap to Cashmere. Despite this success, Taylor was ousted from the label by its parent, Word Entertainment, in 2001. He has produced and written for numerous musical acts, one of the most consistent being Newsboys. As a film-maker, Taylor co-wrote, directed, and produced the feature films Down Under the Big Top, The Second Chance, and Blue Like Jazz. After a decade and a half of hiatus, Taylor returned to performing music in 2010 as the front-man for Steve Taylor & The Perfect Foil, a supergroup he founded with Peter Furler, Jimmy Abegg, and John Mark Painter. Along with a university residency and continued filmmaking, Taylor would resume work on unfinished Chagall Guevara material into the 2020s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leigh Nash</span> American singer (born 1976)

Leigh Anne Bingham Nash is an American singer and songwriter who is the lead vocalist for the Christian alternative rock band Sixpence None the Richer and was also a member of Fauxliage. Her debut solo album, Blue on Blue, was released in August 2006. Nash has released two other solo albums in 2011 and 2015. Nash has two Grammy nominations: "Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal" in 1999 and "Best Rock Gospel Album" in 1998. In July 2023, it was announced that Nash would be joining 10,000 Maniacs as their new lead singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Slocum</span> Musical artist

Matt Slocum is a guitarist, cellist, pianist and composer, known for his work as the principal songwriter and lead guitarist of Sixpence None the Richer.

Squint Entertainment was a record label owned by Word Entertainment, started and run by musician and songwriter Steve Taylor in 1997. Squint pushed Sixpence None the Richer to mainstream success with their single "Kiss Me". The band had been in the CCM genre for several years before that. Other successful bands, such as Chevelle, emerged from Squint's brief creative life.

<i>The Fatherless and the Widow</i> 1994 studio album by Sixpence None the Richer

The Fatherless and the Widow is the debut studio album by American band Sixpence None the Richer, released in 1994.

<i>This Beautiful Mess</i> 1995 studio album by Sixpence None the Richer

This Beautiful Mess is the second studio album by American band Sixpence None the Richer, released in 1995. The recording was produced by Armand John Petri, who also managed the band from 1993 to 1997. This Beautiful Mess surpassed 50,000 copies sold during its first year of release and laid the foundation for Sixpence's self-titled breakout album two years later. This Beautiful Mess won the 1996 Dove Award for "Alternative/Modern Rock Album of the Year." The songs "Within a Room Somewhere" and "I Can't Explain" were both minor hits on the Christian music charts.

<i>Sixpence None the Richer</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Sixpence None the Richer

Sixpence None the Richer is the third studio album by American band Sixpence None the Richer, released in 1997. It was certified platinum by the RIAA on February 9, 2000, for a million certified units in the United States and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album.

<i>Divine Discontent</i> Album by Sixpence None the Richer

Divine Discontent is the fourth studio album by American band Sixpence None the Richer, released on October 29, 2002.

PFR is a Christian rock group from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although the group initially disbanded in 1997, they periodically reunited from 2001 to 2013 and recorded two albums in that time. They reunited again in 2022. Their name was originally "Pray for Rain", but was changed to "PFR" to avoid a conflict with another musical group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There She Goes (The La's song)</span> 1988 single by the Las

"There She Goes" is a song by English rock band the La's, written by the band's frontman, Lee Mavers. First released in 1988, the song reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart when it was re-issued in 1990.

Love Coma is a Christian rock/alternative group in the early 1990s based in the San Antonio area of Texas. The group disbanded in 1997 following the bankruptcy of its record label.

<i>The Best of Sixpence None the Richer</i> 2004 greatest hits album by Sixpence None the Richer

The Best of Sixpence None the Richer is a greatest hits album of American band Sixpence None the Richer, released in 2004. It contains all their most successful songs as well as various rarities, covers and three new tracks that had originally been intended to be released on Divine Discontent but were shelved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss Me (Sixpence None the Richer song)</span> 1998 single by Sixpence None the Richer

"Kiss Me" is a song by American pop rock band Sixpence None the Richer from their self-titled third album (1997). The ballad was released as a single on August 12, 1998, in the United States and was issued in international territories the following year. Several music critics compared the song to works by English alternative rock band the Sundays, and it was nominated for a Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 42nd Grammy Awards.

<i>Blue on Blue</i> (Leigh Nash album) 2006 studio album by Leigh Nash

Blue on Blue is Leigh Nash's debut solo album and consists of pop songs. Nash began working on the album a year after Sixpence None the Richer disbanded. Produced by Pierre Marchand who is best known for his collaborations with Sarah McLachlan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe Your Name</span> 2002 single by Sixpence None the Richer

"Breathe Your Name" is a song by the American pop rock band Sixpence None the Richer. It was released in 2002 on Reprise Records and Squint Entertainment as the debut radio single and as well as the opening track from their fourth studio album, Divine Discontent (2002). It is a pop song that was produced by Paul Fox and Matt Slocum and written by the latter.

<i>The Dawn of Grace</i> 2008 studio album by Sixpence None the Richer

The Dawn of Grace is a Christmas album by the alternative rock and indie pop band Sixpence None the Richer. The record was released on October 14, 2008.

<i>Maybe This Christmas Too?</i> 2003 compilation album by various artists

Maybe This Christmas Too? is a holiday compilation album released in October 2003 through Nettwerk Records featuring contemporary musicians performing both classic and original Christmas songs. The compilation served as a sequel to Maybe This Christmas (2002) and preceded Maybe This Christmas Tree (2004). A portion of the proceeds from the album went to Toys for Tots, a charity supported by the United States Marine Corps. Critical reception of the compilation, which failed to chart in any nation, was mixed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sixpence None the Richer discography</span>

This is the discography of American pop rock band Sixpence None the Richer. To date, the group has released six studio albums, three compilation albums, five extended plays, and fourteen singles. They gained mainstream popularity in 1997 with their self-titled album, producing the hit single "Kiss Me", which was an international hit. The song topped the Australian charts, and reached the top five in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the band's native United States.

<i>Lost in Transition</i> Sixth studio album by Sixpence None the Richer

Lost in Transition is the sixth studio album by the band Sixpence None the Richer released on August 7, 2012, via Tyger Jim label. It is the first album full of mostly original material since 2002's Divine Discontent. The interim period included several new tracks for a greatest hits album, several solo projects for lead singer Leigh Nash, a 2008 album containing mostly Christmas standards, and the My Dear Machine EP. "My Dear Machine", "Sooner Than Later," and "Give It Back" all appeared on the EP, although the latter two were completely re-recorded. Although not classified as country, a few songs are noted to have a country style in their sound, particularly the tracks "Sooner Than Later" and "Go Your way" in the latter half of the album. Nash, who grew up in Texas, would go on to release a solo country album in 2015 titled The State I'm In.

Streams is a 1999 album by various artists in the contemporary Christian music genre. Streams is a loose concept album focusing on the themes of pain and healing. In addition to the vocalists, the Irish Film Orchestra contributes instrumental scores to the album.

References

  1. "The Gospel According to Sixpence None the Richer". Texas Monthly. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  2. "Sixpence None The Richer". The Recording Academy. May 14, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  3. "Grow in Faith with Daily Christian Living Articles". Crosswalk.com.
  4. "Sixpence None the Richer Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic .
  5. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (Book III, Chapter 11)
  6. "Leigh Nash's Facebook Page". Facebook.
  7. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : Hi (November 12, 2016). "105.11.12 [Love Love Rock]Sixpence None the Richer-Kiss me" . Retrieved March 22, 2018 via YouTube.
  8. "https://musicrow.com/2024/01/sixpence-none-the-richer-to-re-release-album-on-curb-records-signs-management-deal/". January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024 via Music Row.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  9. "BMI's Pop Awards 2001 Song List | Press". BMI.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.