Alcian Blue

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Alcian Blue was a shoegaze and new wave influenced band operating out of the Washington DC suburb of Takoma Park from 1998 to 2006. The band initially consisted of Sam Chintha, Jake Reid, Clark Stacy and Matt Welch. Self recording and self releasing a full length and several eps and singles, they honed their characteristic sound by relentlessly experimenting with diy recording techniques and effect boxes. They toured extensively with fellow east coast shoegaze bands such as Skywave, A Place to Bury Strangers, and The Emerald Down. In April of 2004 Clark Stacy left the band to join the Air Force. The band decided to continue by using drum machines and added Jake Reid's future wife Kim Reid (nee Dodd) on synthesizers and extra guitars. This sudden change in the group dynamic resulted in their self titled full length which was released in July of 2006 by Elephant Stone Records. The new sound featured synthesizers and drum machines more prominently. The band toured with the new line up extensively prior to the release of the record and developed a cult regional and world wide fan base. They were known for their extremely loud wall of sound live aesthetics coupled with the use of disorienting video projections. The band decided to part ways in September of 2006 to pursue new projects and new sounds. They posthumously released an EP consisting of songs culled from older recordings in 2007. Jake and Kim Reid currently operate the independent label Safranin Sound and Design. They also form the core of Screen Vinyl Image. Sam Chintha is working on music under the moniker Vacuole Eyes and currently plays with The Antiques. Matt Welch is currently part of the Torsion Fields collective which includes Sam Chintha and John Wood of A Cricket in Times Square among others.


[edit] Discography


Slow Colorless Stare 2001, Safranin Sound
Tracks:
1. Touch
2. Response
3. Channel
4. Opaque
5. Variance
6. A Faded Song
7. Empty Roads



Blisscent 1 Compilation 2002, Blisscent Records
Tracks:
Features Channel from Slow Colorless Stare
Features some-exclusive and some-previously-released tracks from Asobi Seksu, Skywave, Au Revoir Borealis, Twigs, Malory, Collette Carter, Sunstorm, Lorna, Alcian Blue, Lovespirals, Francis 7, Air Formation, Readymade, The Emerald Down.

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Angelica Single 2003, Safranin Sound
1. Angelica Take Me Down
2. Channel (early demo)
3. Euqapo
4. Never Go Away


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Translucent EP 2004, Safranin Sound
1. Angelica Take Me Down
2. Silvers Sleep Walk
3. Everyday Is Fall
4. Translucent


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Silvers Sleep Walk 2004, Safranin Sound
1. Silvers Sleep Walk
2. Fall Behind (live)
3. Everyday Is Fall (live)
4. Joy (Slowdive cover)


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Fall Behind EP 2005, Safranin Sound
1. Fall Behind
2. A Strange Day (Cure Cover)
3. Fall Behind (demo)
4. Darkest Days
Extra Video for Fall Behind


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You Just Disappear Single 2005, Safranin Sound
1. You Just Disappear
2. See You Shine


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Self Titled 2006, Safranin Sound
1. Horizons
2. 71705
3. You Just Disappear
4. Night Sky
5. Frozen Sleep
6. Caroline
7. This Day This Age
8. Turn Away
9. See You Shine
10. Terminal Escape



Years Too Late EP 2007, Safranin Sound
1. A Fading Smile
2. Years Too Late
3. Fall Behind (re-edit)
4. Spiral
5. Carousel