| Dear Nora (band) | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Portland, Oregon |
| Genres | Rock, indie pop |
| Years active | 1999–2008 |
| Labels | Magic Marker, States Rights Records, Valve Records |
| Associated acts | Lloyd and Michael Manta Dirty Projectors Casiotone for the Painfully Alone |
| Website | Katy Davidson and Friends |
| Members | |
| Katy Davidson | |
| Past members | |
| Gretchen Hildebran Jaime Knight Jake Longstreth Marianna Ritchey Nora Roman Antonio Roman-Alcalá Ryan Wise |
|
Dear Nora was an indie pop band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1999 by songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Katy Davidson, drummer and vocalist Marianna Ritchey, and bassist Ryan Wise.[1] Ritchey and Wise were previously members of Wolf Colonel.[1] They named their new band after Lewis & Clark College music professor Nora Beck.[2] Dear Nora's first album, We'll Have a Time, was produced by Amy Linton of The Aislers Set and released on the Portland label Magic Marker Records in 2001.[1]
After moving to San Francisco, Davidson continued to record under the name Dear Nora with a rotating cast of band members. The band released two more main albums, Mountain Rock (2004) and There Is No Home (2006), as well as several 7" singles and EPs.[1] From 2004 to 2007, they performed locally in San Francisco and toured with musicians such as The Blow, Mirah, and YACHT.[3][4]
After a tour of Florida with Casiotone for the Painfully Alone in 2008, Davidson retired the name Dear Nora, though she continues to record music.[2] In 2006, Davidson moved to Los Angeles, where she and Ritchey recorded Just as God Made Us under the name Lloyd & Michael on States Rights Records.[5] Davidson now resides in Portland and performs under the name "Key Losers."