Split Single | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Evanston, Illinois, United States |
Genres | Indie rock |
Website | www |
Split Single is the American indie rock solo project of Evanston, Illinois-based musician Jason Narducy.
Narducy is a mainstay in the Chicago-area rock community, having played in bands like Verboten, Jason & Alison, Verbow, as well as being the touring bassist for Bob Mould and Superchunk. Narducy started the project in 2011 and has released two albums: 2014's Fragmented World and 2016's Metal Frames as well as a concert EP, 2015's Live EP.
Split Single's music aims for power-pop melodies, punchy arrangements and wry and affecting lyrics. Spoon's Britt Daniel played bass and Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster are featured on Fragmented World. On sophomore effort Metal Frames, Wurster returned on drums while Wilco's John Stirratt was recruited to play bass.
After not writing any original material for eight years, in 2012 Narducy formed Split Single as an outlet to write 10 new songs to debut opening for Steve Dawson's band Dolly Varden at Schuba's. Three songs from that show, "Never Look Back," "Love Is You," and "My Eyes" would later end up on Split Single's debut, Fragmented World. Later, while recording songs for Bob Mould's 2012 solo effort Silver Age, Narducy played bandmate Jon Wurster his demos and the drummer agreed to help properly record them. Spoon's Britt Daniel, who Narducy played with at a 2011 Bob Mould tribute concert, rounded out the recording personnel.
To promote Fragmented World, Narducy created a fake documentary short video called "The Sexiest Elbows In Rock Music". Several comedians and musicians guested in the clip, including Fred Armisen, Tim Meadows, Jon Wurster, John Stirratt, Margaret Cho, Britt Daniel, Mac MacCaughan, Bob Mould, and Dave Grohl. In 2016, Narducy teamed with The Onion to make two more “Sexiest Elbows In Rock” episodes with guest appearances from Jeff Tweedy, Sharon Van Etten, Todd Barry, Michael Shannon, Frank Black and more.
Of the album, which was released in spring 2014, Spin's Ryan Leas had this to say, "Narducy’s latest material exhibits strands of all sorts crashing together: ’80s college rock, ’90s indie, and various brands of psychedelia mingle freely within the album’s efficient 32 minutes of power-pop." [1] In a review at The A.V. Club, which gave the album an A−, Annie Zaleski wrote, "Fragmented World’s lyrics are also no afterthought: While their themes are common—fresh heartbreak, letting go of past romance, despairing about unrequited love—songs often twist darker (“I laid in your yard last night / But you never looked back, never looked back”)." [2]
Metal Frames, Split Single's 2017 album, was recorded at Chicago's Atlas Studios with engineer Matt Allison. The recording band featured the return of Wurster on drums, new recruit John Stirratt, of Wilco, on bass, and Narducy's longtime friend, recording artist and songwriter Nora O'Connor. Critic Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune wrote of the second album, “...a first-rate songwriter and band leader.” [3] Elsewhere, Magnet Magazine's Matt Hickey wrote, giving the album an Essential New Music designation, "With ‘Metal Frames,’ Narducy not only avoids the sophomore slump, he enters MVP territory” [4]
Split Single have toured with Cymbals Eat Guitars and Divine Fits and have opened shows for Guided by Voices, Eddie Vedder, Wilco, Bob Mould, The Hold Steady, The New Pornographers, and Superchunk. On April 3, 2017, Split Single made its television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly .
Split Single's third album Amplificado was released June 25, 2021. [5] It again features Wurster on drums and adds Mike Mills of R.E.M. on bass and backing vocals.
Wilco is an American rock band based in Chicago. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo after singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup changed frequently during its first decade, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. Since early 2004 the lineup has been unchanged, consisting of Tweedy, Stirratt, guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, keyboard player Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. Wilco has released thirteen studio albums, a live double album, and four collaborations: three with Billy Bragg and one with the Minus 5.
Superchunk is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, consisting of singer-guitarist Mac McCaughan, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist Laura Ballance, and drummer Laura King. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s. Their energetic, high-velocity style and do-it-yourself ethic is influenced by punk rock.
Uncle Tupelo was an alternative country music group from Belleville, Illinois, active between 1987 and 1994. Jay Farrar, Jeff Tweedy, and Mike Heidorn formed the band after the lead singer of their previous band, The Primitives, left to attend college. The trio recorded three albums for Rockville Records, before signing with Sire Records and expanding to a five-piece. Shortly after the release of the band's major label debut album Anodyne, Farrar announced his decision to leave the band due to a soured relationship with his co-songwriter Tweedy. Uncle Tupelo split on May 1, 1994, after completing a farewell tour. Following the breakup, Farrar formed Son Volt with Heidorn, while the remaining members continued as Wilco.
Robert Arthur Mould is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s.
Hüsker Dü was an American punk rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continuous members were guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart. They first gained notability as a hardcore punk band, and later crossed over into alternative rock. Mould and Hart were the band's principal songwriters, with Hart's higher-pitched vocals and Mould's baritone taking the lead in alternating songs.
A Ghost Is Born is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Wilco, released on June 22, 2004, by Nonesuch Records. It features singer Jeff Tweedy on lead guitar more than any previous Wilco album. The band streamed the album online free, and offered a five-song EP to purchasers.
Jeffrey Scot Tweedy is an American musician, singer songwriter, author, and record producer best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Wilco. Tweedy, originally from Belleville, Illinois, began his music career in high school with his band The Plebes along with Jay Farrar, also in the band. It became the alternative country band Uncle Tupelo.
Summerteeth is the third studio album by the American rock band Wilco, released on March 9, 1999, by Reprise Records. The album was heavily influenced lyrically by 20th century literature, as well as singer Jeff Tweedy's marital problems. Unlike previous albums, Summerteeth was heavily overdubbed in the studio with Pro Tools. Tweedy and Jay Bennett wrote most of the album in the studio, a contrast to the band's previous albums, which were often recorded live by the entire band with minimal overdubs.
Being There is the second studio album by the American rock band Wilco, released on October 29, 1996, by Reprise Records. Despite its release as a double album, Being There was sold at a single album price as a result of a deal between lead singer Jeff Tweedy and the band's label Reprise Records. Compared to their debut album A.M. (1995), the album was an improvement for the band in both sales and critical reception. Taking its name from the 1979 film of the same name, the self-produced album featured more surrealistic and introspective writing than on A.M. This was due in part to several significant changes in Tweedy's life, including the birth of his first child. Musically, it juxtaposed the alternative country styles songs reminiscent of Uncle Tupelo with psychedelic, surreal songs. It was the only Wilco album with steel guitarist Bob Egan, their first with multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett and their last with multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston.
A.M. is the debut studio album by the American rock band Wilco, released on March 28, 1995, by Sire Records and Reprise Records. The album was released only months after the breakup of Uncle Tupelo, an alternative country band that was the predecessor of Wilco. Prior to its release, there was debate about whether the album would be better than the debut album of Son Volt, the new band of former Uncle Tupelo lead singer Jay Farrar.
Anodyne is the fourth and final studio album by alternative country band Uncle Tupelo, released on October 5, 1993. The recording of the album was preceded by the departure of the original drummer Mike Heidorn and the addition of three new band members: bassist John Stirratt, drummer Ken Coomer, and multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston. The band signed with Sire Records shortly before recording the album; Anodyne was Uncle Tupelo's only major label release until 89/93: An Anthology in 2002.
The Autumn Defense is an American band composed of multi-instrumentalists John Stirratt and Pat Sansone.
Come Pick Me Up is the seventh studio album by American indie rock band Superchunk, released in 1999. It is marked by the presence of co-producer Jim O'Rourke, a well-known figure in underground circles. Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster said that O'Rourke was selected because the band wanted someone "coming from a different head-space." O'Rourke helped the band decorate the album with string and horn touches that were not typical of their guitar-based sound. One of the horn players who appeared on the album is another well-known figure in underground circles, Shellac's Bob Weston.
Jonathan Patrick Wurster is an American drummer and comedy writer. As a musician, he is best known for his work with Superchunk, the Mountain Goats, and Bob Mould. He is also known for appearing on The Best Show with Tom Scharpling.
Verbow was an American alternative rock band formed in Chicago and active between the mid-1990s and early 2000s. The band's sound was distinguished by emotionally direct songwriting and their unconventional use of cello.
Jason V. Narducy is an American musician from Evanston, Illinois, United States.
Silver Age is the tenth solo album from former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman Bob Mould. Mould was joined on bass by Jason Narducy and on drums by Superchunk's Jon Wurster.
Patch the Sky is the 12th solo album from former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman Bob Mould.
Sunshine Rock is the 13th solo album from American rock musician Bob Mould, formerly frontman of the bands Hüsker Dü and Sugar. The album release was announced on October 24, 2018. The album was released on February 8, 2019, and debuted at number 192 on the US Billboard 200. A review in Dagger says ""I Fought" has all the rage and bluster that Husker Du ever had while "Camp Sunshine" is, dare I say a flowery love song[.] Sunshine Rock shows Bob and his unbeatable rhythm section at the top of their game." Robert Christgau wrote "this is the first time the solo Mould has come close to what he was once capable of, and that he's managed it this late should encourage us all."
Blue Hearts is an album by the American alternative rock musician Bob Mould, released in 2020. Mould considered the tracks to be protest songs.