Joel Plaskett
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Joel Plaskett | ||
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 Joel Plaskett
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| Background information | ||
| Born | 1978 | |
| Origin | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
| Genre(s) | Indie rock | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter Producer |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals Guitar Mandolin Keyboards |
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| Years active | 1992–present | |
| Label(s) | MapleMusic | |
| Associated acts |
Thrush Hermit, The Joel Plaskett Emergency | |
| Website | joelplaskett.com | |
| Members | ||
| Joel Plaskett Dave Marsh Ian McGettigan |
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| Former members | ||
| Tim Brennan | ||
Joel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician, born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has been a prominent figure in the Canadian indie rock scene of the 1990s and 2000s.
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[edit] Thrush Hermit
In 1992, Plaskett created alternative rock band Thrush Hermit with Rob Benvie (vocals, guitar), Ian McGettigan (vocals, bass), and Michael Catano (drums). Plaskett was the lead singer and guitarist for the Halifax-based band as well as the band's primary songwriter, until their breakup in late 1999.
[edit] Solo work and the Emergency
After the breakup of Thrush Hermit, Plaskett embarked on a solo career. His first release, In Need of Medical Attention, consisted of leftover songs that were written near the end of his days in Thrush Hermit. It was successful, but not until the release of 2001's Down at the Khyber with a new backing band, The Emergency, did Plaskett get the critical attention he had received while in his former band. The Emergency consisted of Plaskett, drummer Dave Marsh and bass player Tim Brennan, though special friend Ian McGettigan could often be seen playing bass at their shows. The third album of Plaskett's post-Thrush Hermit career and second of the Emergency's, Truthfully, Truthfully was a commercial success. MapleMusic Recordings is the current recording label for both The Emergency and Plaskett's solo efforts. Plaskett and the band have toured throughout North America and Europe with such performers as The Tragically Hip, Sloan and Kathleen Edwards.
The Joel Plaskett Emergency has been nominated for two Juno Awards, both in the alternative album category. The group won Rock Recording of the Year at the 2005 East Coast Music Awards, for the album Truthfully, Truthfully.
In recent years, Plaskett has embarked upon a number of projects. He has acted as producer (and collaborator) for Atlantic Canadian artists such as Two Hours Traffic and Little Miss Moffat. As well, in 2004 he made his television debut as a rock coach on the CBC Television documentary series Rock Camp. He released his second solo album, La De Da in 2005, which garnered him two East Coast Music Awards in 2006, Male Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, for the song "Happen Now". He was also nominated for the Songwriter of the Year Juno Award, but lost to Arcade Fire.
La De Da was released in Australia on March 6, 2006 by local company Code One Entertainment. In April 2006, Plaskett toured the east coast of Australia (in solo mode) extensively to promote the release.
In March 2006, Joel Plaskett Emergency released their first DVD, Make a Little Noise. It included an EP of three songs. The single "Nowhere With You" has received the most mainstream radio airplay of any Plaskett release to date, and was featured in a Zellers television commercial. Make a Little Noise had three wins at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards: DVD of the Year, Single of the Year ("Nowhere With You"), and Songwriter of the Year (for Plaskett himself, for "Nowhere With You").
The Emergency has released its first album in Australia. Entitled, Make A Little Noise, it's a collection of songs from Down At The Khyber, Truthfully Truthfully and the EP from the DVD. In fact, the DVD is also in included in this packaqe as a bonus. The band toured Australia for the first time in March/April of 2007, supporting Aussie faves, Augie March.
The band will be releasing their first album to include new bassist, Chris Pennell, in April 2007. The album's title is Ashtray Rock and is self-described as a "concept" album.
Plaskett has done much to promote the local music scene in his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia as well as the Canadian indie rock scene in general.
[edit] Discography
- 1999 - In Need of Medical Attention
- 2001 - Down at the Khyber (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
- 2003 - Truthfully, Truthfully (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
- 2005 - La De Da
- 2006 - Make a Little Noise (DVD/EP) (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
- 2007 - Ashtray Rock (Joel Plaskett Emergency)
