Ezra Furman

Last updated

Ezra Furman
Ezra Furman Cropped 2.jpg
Furman in 2017
Background information
Born (1986-09-05) September 5, 1986 (age 37)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals, harmonica
Years active2006–present
Labels Bar/None Records
Bella Union
Website www.ezrafurman.com

Ezra Furman (born September 5, 1986) is an American musician and songwriter.

Contents

Furman was the lead singer and guitarist of Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, formed in 2006, which ended with Mysterious Power (2011). Her subsequent work has included the albums Day of the Dog (2013), Perpetual Motion People (2015), Transangelic Exodus (2018), and All of Us Flames (2022), as well as parts of the soundtrack for all four seasons of the Netflix series Sex Education .

Career

Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

Ezra Furman and the Harpoons was a four-piece rock band active between 2006 and 2011. The band consisted of Ezra Furman (vocals, guitar), Job Mukkada (bass guitar), Drew "Adam" Abrutyn (drums), and Andrew Langer (guitar). They formed at Tufts University in 2006. They released four albums: the self-released Beat Beat Beat (2006), followed by Banging Down the Doors (2007), Inside the Human Body (2008) and Mysterious Power (2011). The group broke up in 2011, and Furman began touring as a solo artist. [5] After their contract with Minty Fresh Records expired, the band released a self-produced compilation album in 2009, Moon Face: Bootlegs and Road Recordings 2006–2009, which included live recordings and some of Furman's solo work.

The Year of No Returning

Ezra Furman and the Visions
Also known asEzra Furman and the Boyfriends
Genres Indie rock, psychedelic rock
Years active2012–present
Labels Bar/None Records
Bella Union
MembersEzra Furman
Jorgen Jorgensen
Ben Joseph
Sam Durkes
Tim Sandusky

After touring in support of the album Mysterious Power , Furman recorded a solo album, entitled The Year of No Returning , without a label. Furman raised money through Kickstarter to fund the recording and self-release of the album. [6] The album was recorded at Studio Ballistico, located at the time in the attic of the house Furman was living in, and produced by Tim Sandusky, who owned both the house and the studio. [7] The album was released in February 2012. At the end of the year, Furman signed to Bar/None Records, who re-released The Year of No Returning in the summer of 2013.

The touring band Ezra Furman and the Boy-Friends formed in spring of 2012, and toured in support of The Year of No Returning. The band consisted of Jorgen Jorgensen (bass), Ben Joseph (keyboard, guitar), and Sam Durkes (drums). Tim Sandusky (saxophone) joined in 2013.

Day of the Dog

Furman released Day of the Dog in October 2013, also produced by Tim Sandusky, recorded at Studio Ballistico and released through Bar/None Records. [8] This album got Furman notable press in the UK, receiving a 5/5 review in The Guardian by Michael Hann: "Ezra Furman has made an album of classicist rock'n'roll that never feels like an exercise, but a living, breathing piece of self expression", [9] and an 8/10 review in NME : "A bratty, ragged take on New York Dolls, Spector-era Ramones and E Street Band carnival rock. An unexpected gem." [10]

The band toured the UK in 2014 and were met with positive press. "The punk-fired rock'n'roller isn't too cool to be touched by a richly deserved rave reception", wrote Malcolm Jack for The Guardian , giving the show a five-star review. [11] The tour finished in the autumn with a sold-out gig at Scala in London in September 2014.

Perpetual Motion People

Furman in 2018 Ezra Furman At The Lexington (28345286369).jpg
Furman in 2018

In early 2015, Furman signed to Bella Union [12] and on April 27, announced that a new album, Perpetual Motion People , would be released on July 6 in the UK and Europe, and on July 10 in the US. [13] Aided by positive critical reviews, Perpetual Motion People peaked in the UK charts on its entry week at number 23. A series of concerts in Europe and the US took place to coordinate with the release of the album.

In 2016, Furman released the EP Big Fugitive Life , saying it felt like the "end of a chapter, musically" and calling the collection a "group of our favourite orphaned songs", four of which missed out on inclusion on Perpetual Motion People, and two which came from the time of The Year of No Returning. [14]

In September 2017, Furman's social media posts indicated that the Boy-Friends, active since 2012, had been renamed or reformed as the Visions. [15] There was no change made to the line-up of Ben Joseph, Jorgen Jorgensen, Sam Durkes, and Tim Sandusky. [16]

Transangelic Exodus

Transangelic Exodus, Furman's seventh album, was released February 9, 2018. [17] The album follows a narrative of Furman and an angel on the road, running away from an oppressive government. [18] The same year, 33⅓ published a book by Furman about Lou Reed's album Transformer . [19]

Twelve Nudes

Furman's eighth album, Twelve Nudes , was released August 30, 2019. The album was inspired by her anger at the perceived injustices of the Trump administration and late capitalism, as well as her Jewish and transgender identities. [20] She recruited John Congleton as producer for the album. [21]

All of Us Flames

Furman in 2023 Ezra Furman 2023 02.jpg
Furman in 2023

Furman released her ninth album, All of Us Flames, also produced by Congleton, in 2022. [21] Its themes and topics included gender envy, also drawing connections between transgender oppression and Jewish exile. Pitchfork wrote that the album "feels like the most complete picture yet of Ezra Furman as a songwriter: genres fluidly co-existing with one another, projecting a fearless image while struggling with her own internal fearfulness," and compared parts of the album to Bruce Springsteen, Future Islands and Perfume Genius. [21] NME gave the album three stars, writing that it felt "a little heavy and dragging," but that "where it works best is that clear marriage of anger and aspiration, interwoven with Furman’s melodic drawl, musical tenderness and reverb." [22]

In 2023, Furman announced that she would be taking a hiatus from touring, citing "a popular explosion of transphobia", "increasingly corporate-owned music venues", "COVID-19" and "the demands of motherhood" that had led to "pressure and exhaustion" upon her. [5] She released Sex Education: Songs from Season 4, an EP of three songs made specifically for the fourth and final season of Sex Education, her music having been featured in every season of the show. [23] [24]

Personal life

Furman is Jewish. [25] [26] Her father is from a Jewish family, and her mother converted to Judaism. [27]

Furman plans to become a rabbi, and starting in late 2021, is attending the rabbinical school of Hebrew College in Newton, Massachusetts. [28]

Furman is bisexual, [29] and uses she/her and they/them pronouns. [30] She came out as a transgender woman in late April 2021. [31] [32] Prior to this, she identified as genderqueer. [33]

Furman has three siblings, and has a child. Furman resides in Somerville, MA. [32] [34] Her younger brother Jonah was the lead singer and bassist of the Boston-based rock band Krill, which broke up in 2015. [35] Their elder brother Noah is a visual artist who designed the cover of the Harpoons album Banging Down the Doors.

Discography

Albums

Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

Solo

Extended plays

Singles

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Vincent (musician)</span> American musician (born 1982)

    Anne Erin Clark, known professionally as St. Vincent, is an American musician and singer. Her guitar playing has been praised for its melodic style and use of distortion, and she has been listed among the best guitarists of the 21st century by multiple publications. Rolling Stone named Clark the 26th-greatest guitarist of all time in 2023.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Arcade Fire</span> Canadian indie rock band

    Arcade Fire is a Canadian indie rock band from Montreal, Quebec, consisting of husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, alongside Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara. The band's current touring line-up also includes former core member Sarah Neufeld and multi-instrumentalists Paul Beaubrun, Dan Boeckner and Eric Heigle. Each of the band's studio albums features contributions from composer and violinist Owen Pallett.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Castles</span> Canadian electronic music group

    Crystal Castles was a Canadian electronic music group formed in 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, formed by songwriter-producer Ethan Kath and singer-songwriter Alice Glass, who later left and was replaced by Edith Frances. Crystal Castles were known for their chaotic live shows and lo-fi melancholic homemade productions. They released many limited vinyl singles between 2006 and 2007 before releasing four studio albums between 2008 and 2016.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Marling</span> British folk singer-songwriter (born 1990)

    Laura Beatrice Marling is a British folk singer-songwriter. She won the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards and was nominated for the same award at the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 Brit Awards.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Warpaint (band)</span> American alternative rock band

    Warpaint is an American indie rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2004. The band consists of Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg, and Stella Mozgawa (drums).

    <i>Euphoric Heartbreak</i> 2011 studio album by Glasvegas

    Euphoric Heartbreak is the second studio album by Scottish rock group Glasvegas, which was released on 4 April 2011 by Columbia Records. It reached No.10 in the UK and No.1 in Sweden. The album was written, demoed and tracked by James Allan in a luxury beach house in Santa Monica, California before full production and final recording took place in London and Glasgow. The album was produced by Flood and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer. The song "The World is Yours" features on EA Sports' FIFA 12. As of July 2014, the album had sold 30,400 units in the UK, which is ten per cent of the sales of their platinum-selling debut album.

    The Front Bottoms are an American rock band from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, formed in 2006. They are currently a duo consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Brian Sella and drummer Mat Uychich. During live performances, they are currently accompanied by touring members, including guitarist and backing vocalist AJ Peacox, bassist and backing vocalist Natalie Newbold, and bassist, guitarist and backing vocalist Erik Kase Romero.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Haim (band)</span> American pop rock band

    Haim is an American rock band, based in Los Angeles, composed of three sisters, Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim. In addition to their primary instruments, each is proficient in several others.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Alt-J</span> English indie rock band

    Alt-J are an English indie rock band formed in 2007 in Leeds. Their lineup includes Joe Newman, Thom Sonny Green (drums), Gus Unger-Hamilton (keyboards/vocals), and formerly Gwil Sainsbury (guitar/bass).

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Chvrches</span> Scottish synthpop group

    Chvrches are a Scottish synth-pop band from Glasgow, formed in September 2011. The band consists of Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, Martin Doherty and, unofficially since 2018, Jonny Scott. Mostly deriving from the synth-pop genre, Chvrches also incorporate indietronica, indie pop, and electronic dance into their sound.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">The 1975</span> English pop rock band

    The 1975 are an English pop rock band formed in Wilmslow, Cheshire in 2002. The band consists of Matty Healy, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald (bass), and George Daniel. The name of the band was inspired by a page of scribblings found in Healy's copy of On the Road by Jack Kerouac that was dated "1 June, The 1975".

    <i>Glitterbug</i> (album) 2015 studio album by The Wombats

    Glitterbug is the third major studio album by British rock band The Wombats. The album was produced by Mark Crew alongside the band themselves, and was released on the 13th of April 2015. The first single from the album, "Your Body Is a Weapon", was released on iTunes on the 2nd of October 2013 in the United Kingdom and the 3rd of December in the United States. This was followed by "Greek Tragedy", "Give Me a Try", "Be Your Shadow" and "Emoticons". To celebrate the album's release, the Glitterbug B Sides EP was released on the same day. The album entered the UK charts at #5 and reached #2 in Australia, as well as charting at #91 in the US, becoming the band's first to appear in the Billboard 200. The band supported the album with their Glitterbug Tour 2015.

    <i>Day of the Dog</i> (Ezra Furman album) 2013 studio album by Ezra Furman

    Day of the Dog is the second studio album by Chicago rock musician Ezra Furman. It was released in October 2013 by Bar/None Records. It comes after her début solo album The Year of No Returning which follow three albums with her previous backing band the Harpoons, it was recorded with her new backing band the Boyfriends, who formed in 2012 to tour The Year of No Returning.

    <i>Perpetual Motion People</i> 2015 studio album by Ezra Furman

    Perpetual Motion People is a 2015 album by Ezra Furman.

    <i>Big Fugitive Life</i> 2016 EP by Ezra Furman

    Big Fugitive Life is an EP by Ezra Furman. It was released on 19 August 2016 by Bella Union records.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Idles</span> English rock band

    Idles are a British rock band formed in Bristol in 2009. The band consists of Adam Devonshire (bass), Joe Talbot (vocals), Mark Bowen (guitar), Lee Kiernan (guitar), and Jon Beavis (drums).

    <i>Always Ascending</i> 2018 studio album by Franz Ferdinand

    Always Ascending is the fifth studio album by Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand. It was released on 9 February 2018 through the Domino Recording Company. It is the band's first non-collaborative album in over four years, following Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013). It is also their first album to feature new member Julian Corrie, who joined shortly after the departure of Nick McCarthy, and their last to feature drummer Paul Thomson. The album received generally positive reviews from critics. It peaked at number three in Scotland and number six in the UK. Four singles were released from the album: "Always Ascending", "Feel the Love Go", "Lazy Boy" and an alternative version of "Glimpse of Love". Several tracks from the album are featured during scenes or the closing credits of various episodes of the television show Loudermilk.

    <i>Transangelic Exodus</i> 2018 studio album by Ezra Furman

    Transangelic Exodus is a studio album by American musician Ezra Furman. It was released in February 2018 under Bella Union.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lexington, Islington</span> Pub and music venue in Islington, London

    The Lexington is a pub and music venue on Pentonville Road in Islington, London that opened in 2008. The bar specialises in bourbon, as well as American craft beer. The building it is in was built over 1875 to 1876 and was originally known as The Belvidere.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannon Lay</span> American folk and punk musician (born 1991)

    Shannon Lay is an American folk and punk musician. She has released four solo albums and was a member of the band Feels.

    References

    1. ↑ Beaumont, Mark (February 7, 2018). "Ezra Furman - 'Transangelic Exodus' Album Review". NME.
    2. ↑ Hann, Michael (September 11, 2014). "Ezra Furman on outcasts, Chuck Berry and Judaism". Theguardian.com.
    3. ↑ "Ezra Furman streams egg-cellent new video for 'Lousy Connection'". DIY. August 24, 2015.
    4. 1 2 "Ezra Furman | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic.
    5. 1 2 Dunworth, Liberty (August 16, 2023). "Ezra Furman announces touring hiatus: "Any sort of touring is effing difficult"". NME. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
    6. ↑ Kickstarter, "Ezra Furman's Kickstarter" July 11, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2015
    7. ↑ Furman, Ezra. Interview by Frances Capell "New Year", San Francisco Bay Guardian , February 9, 2012.
    8. ↑ Bar/None Records. "Ezra Furman", retrieved August 3, 2014.
    9. ↑ Hann, Michael (December 5, 2013). "Ezra Furman: Day of the Dog – review". The Guardian . Retrieved March 4, 2017.
    10. ↑ Stubbs, Dan (November 8, 2013). "Ezra Furman - Day Of The Dog". NME. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
    11. ↑ Jack, Malcolm (February 13, 2014). "Ezra Furman – review". The Guardian . Retrieved April 28, 2015.
    12. ↑ "Ezra Furman signs to Bella Union". bellaunion.com. March 3, 2015. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
    13. ↑ Kaye, Ben (April 27, 2015). "Ezra Furman announces new album, Perpetual Motion People, shares "Lousy Connection"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
    14. ↑ "EZRA FURMAN announces 'Big Fugitive Life' EP". Bella Union. June 28, 2016. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
    15. ↑ "RIP The Boy-Friends 2012–2017". Facebook.com. September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
    16. ↑ "Ezra Furman announces new album "Perpetual Motion People"". Bella Union. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2017. The 2015 line-up of The Boy-Friends seems to contain the same members
    17. ↑ Geslani, Michelle (October 23, 2017). "Ezra Furman announces new album, Transangelic Exodus, unveils "Love You So Bad": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
    18. ↑ Mackay, Emily (February 11, 2018). "Ezra Furman: Transangelic Exodus review – an adrenaline-jolted allegory". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved December 15, 2018. ...Furman and his celestial lover go on the run from an oppressive government..
    19. ↑ Korber, Kevin (July 15, 2019). "33 1/3: Transformer: By Ezra Furman". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
    20. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (August 30, 2019). "Ezra Furman – Twelve Nudes review: His most urgent and cathartic record to date". The Independent. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
    21. 1 2 3 Jocelyn, Hannah (August 26, 2022). "Ezra Furman: All of Us Flames". Pitchfork . Retrieved September 22, 2023.
    22. ↑ Kambasha, Michelle (August 26, 2022). "Ezra Furman – 'All Of Us Flames' review: anger, aspiration and an unflinching attitude". NME. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
    23. ↑ Minsker, Evan (September 21, 2023). "Ezra Furman Shares New Songs From Sex Education's Final Season". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
    24. ↑ Grow, Kory (September 21, 2023). "Ezra Furman Sends Off 'Sex Education' With Three Moving New Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
    25. ↑ "How could you deny me: Ezra Furman". The Demented Goddess. December 11, 2019. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
    26. ↑ Goldfine, Jael (January 16, 2020). "Ezra Furman Is Angry. Aren't You?". Papermag.com. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
    27. ↑ Hann, Michael (September 24, 2014). "Ezra Furman on outcasts, Chuck Berry and Judaism | Music". The Guardian . Retrieved August 13, 2015.
    28. ↑ Rockart, Ella (September 1, 2021). "Ezra Furman has sung about God in her indie rock. Now she's going to rabbinical school". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
    29. ↑ Furman, Ezra (July 3, 2015). "Pretty punk rock: how Ezra Furman found freedom in gender fluidity". The Guardian . Retrieved April 12, 2018.
    30. ↑ Furman, Ezra. "Ezra Furman". Twitter . Retrieved November 1, 2020.
    31. ↑ Torres, Eric (April 21, 2021). "Ezra Furman Comes Out as a Transgender Woman". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
    32. 1 2 Furman, Ezra [@ezra.furman.visions] (April 21, 2021). "I wanted to share with everyone that I am a trans woman, and also that I am a mom and have been for a while now (like 2+ years)" – via Instagram.
    33. ↑ Song, Sandra (August 10, 2015). "Meet Ezra Furman: Devout Jew, Genderqueer Role Model and Damn Good Singer-Songwriter". PAPER. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
    34. ↑ Redfern, Mark (February 20, 2017). "2016 Artist Survey: Ezra Furman". Under The Radar Magazine. Retrieved March 4, 2017. I was one of four kids.
    35. ↑ Grant, Sarah (February 29, 2016). "Between Two Furmans: Indie According to Brothers Ezra and Jonah". Village Voice . Retrieved March 4, 2017.
    36. ↑ Blais-Billie, Braudie (May 21, 2019). "Ezra Furman Announces New Album Twelve Nudes, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork . Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    37. ↑ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (May 10, 2022). "Ezra Furman Announces New Album All of Us Flames, Shares Video for New Song: Watch". Pitchfork . Retrieved May 11, 2022.
    38. ↑ Cummings, Bill (May 1, 2015). "Track Of The Day #680: Ezra Furman – Lousy Connection". Godisinthetvzine.co.uk. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
    39. ↑ "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations". AllAccess. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022.
    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.