| The Spring Standards | |
|---|---|
The Spring Standards at Center Plaza, Baltimore, MD, August 2011. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | Folk-Rock |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Website | Official Band Web site |
| Members | |
| James Cleare Heather Robb James Smith |
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The Spring Standards is an independent three-piece folk-rock band based in New York City.[1]
Contents |
James Cleare, Heather Robb and James Smith first sang together in the last summer of the 20th century.[2] Having just turned 16, the three teens with a common affinity for "oldies" music[1] and harmony spent the better part of the next 2 years playing shows around the Delaware/Pennsylvania area.[3] Influenced as much by their parent's record collections as they were by what they heard on the radio, their style began to take shape into something a little bit both and a little bit neither. When high school graduation came along, their paths divided; years passed and things changed, but before they knew it they were all living within a few blocks of each other in New York City.[3] The transition back into making music together was as natural as it was surprising - they happily picked up where they had left off years before, with a unique style that refuses to sit comfortably in any genre.
Cleare, Robb, and Smith are all songwriters and multi-instrumentalists.[4] They use their strengths as a trio to create a sound that listeners might expect from a band twice their size.[1] With an emphasis on 3-part harmony and a variety of instrumental switching, their range and energy onstage make each live show a unique event.
Before they were The Spring Standards, all three members were in Old Springs Pike[1] along with John Gallagher Jr.. The three current members also played together in an earlier band called The Urban Wombats.[2]
The band members are:
The Spring Standards released their first EP ‘No One Will Know’ in July 2008 which was co-produced by Rhett Miller of Old 97s[3] and engineered by Kieran Kelly of The Buddy Project. The self-released EP found mild success in the North East leading to an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[5] On April 13, 2010, they self-released their first full-length album, "Would Things Be Different" produced by Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Phish, The Apples in Stereo).
The Spring Standards returned to the studio in early 2011 to record a new EP, which was introduced as one of two EPs that will be released in the near future[6]
Discography
No One Will Know (EP, Released July 29, 2009)
* 1. Goodbye Midnight * 2. In The Underground * 3. Little Bug * 4. Reply * 5. Breath And * 6. Your Lie * 7. Sad Song * 8. Pin Cushion (Bonus Track)
Would Things be Different (Released April 13, 2010)
* 1. Skyline * 2. Here I Am * 3. Queen Of The Lot * 4. Halcyon Days * 5. Bells And Whistles * 6. Not Again * 7. Frozen * 8. Trouble * 9. Sharks * 10. The Hush * 11. Unravel Unwind * 12. Drowning In Sobriety (Bonus Track)
Yellow (To be Released Summer 2011)
* 1. Only Skin * 2. Heavy Home * 3. Chicago * 4. Crushing Pennies * 5. Enemies * 6. Wildfire Forest
The Spring Standards have toured nationwide at major venues and have been featured on Conan O'Brien (August 2008), Pepsi's Poptub, USA's "Royal Pains" and MTV's Exiled. The band performed on The Rock Boat IX in 2009, "the floating music festival at sea".
The Spring Standards have become somewhat of a staple on New York's Rock Station 101.9 WRXP, having been invited to play "The Rock Show with Matt Pinfield and Leslie Fram" on numerous occasions, including an annual appearance to sing The Pogues' holiday classic Fairytale of New York with Pinfield on air.
The band has toured nationwide at major venues. They have performed as an opening act for musicians including Old 97s, The Clarks, Works Progress Administration (musical group), Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Caravan of Thieves (band), Rustic Overtones, Rigby Fawkes, Squeeze (band), The Everybodyfields, and Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers.
In 2010, The Spring Standards were selected to perform at the famed Austin music festival South by Southwest. They are currently on tour with Meg & Dia.[7] and Joey Ryan. Its "The Gang Goes On Tour 2010" With Meg & Dia headlining.
The band will be out on tour with Ha Ha Tonka throughout Spring 2011.
http://www.thespringstandards.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/bb861349-25f2-4e90-ab38-bde20ef9849e