Blitzen Trapper

Blitzen Trapper

Blitzen Trapper performing at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
Background information
Origin Portland, Oregon, USA
Genres Alternative country
Years active 2000–present
Labels Lidkercow Ltd.
Sub Pop, Vagrant Records, Lojinx
Website blitzentrapper.net
Members Eric Earley
Erik Menteer
Brian Adrian Koch
Michael Van Pelt
Marty Marquis
Past members Drew Laughery

Blitzen Trapper is a Portland, Oregon-based experimental country/folk band associated with Sub Pop Records,[1] Vagrant Records[2] and Lojinx.[3] Formed in 2000, the band currently operates as a quintet, with Eric Earley (guitar/harmonica/vocals/keyboard), Erik Menteer (guitar/keyboard), Brian Adrian Koch (drums/vocals/harmonica), Michael Van Pelt (bass), and Marty Marquis (guitar/keyboards/vocals/melodica).[4] Blitzen Trapper self-released its first three albums. "Wild Mountain Nation" was No. 98 on Rolling Stone‍ '​s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.[5]

Blitzen Trapper released its third album, Wild Mountain Nation, in 2007 to much critical acclaim from critics such as Pitchfork Media, The Nerve, and Spin Magazine. The group signed to Sub Pop Records in the summer of 2007.

The release of Furr in 2008 was a high-water mark for the group as their eclectic new songs received a two-page feature in Rolling Stone. The album was ranked No. 13 on Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2008[6] while the title track was ranked No. 4 on the magazine's Best Singles of 2008.[7]

In July 2013 it was announced their latest album "VII" would be released on October 1 on Vagrant Records in the USA and on British indie label Lojinx in Europe on September 30.[8]

Writing

Bandleader Eric Earley, who began playing music at the age of three, writes most of the band's music.[9]

Members

Discography

Studio albums

Year Title Label
2003 Blitzen Trapper Lidkercow Ltd.
2004 Field Rexx Lidkercow Ltd.
2007 Wild Mountain Nation Lidkercow Ltd. / Sub Pop (UK/EU)
2008 Furr Sub Pop
2010 Destroyer of the Void Sub Pop
2011 American Goldwing[10] Sub Pop
2013 VII[11] Vagrant Records / Lojinx

Album reissue

Year Title Label
2013 Blitzen Trapper Deluxe Reissue[12] Lidkercow Ltd.

EPs

Year Title Label
2008 Cool Love No. 1 Lidkercow Ltd.
2009 Black River Killer Sub Pop

7" Singles

Year Title Label
2009 War is Placebo[13] Sub Pop
2011 Maybe Baby[14] Sub Pop
2012 Hey Joe[15] Sub Pop

References

  1. ↑ Solarski, M. (2007). Blitzen Trapper Step Into the Sub Pop Stable Pitchforkmedia.com. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  2. ↑ http://www.vagrant.com/artists/bio/85-blitzentrapper
  3. ↑ http://www.lojinx.com/releases/blitzen-trapper/vii
  4. ↑ Hopkin, K. Blitzen Trapper - Biography. AllMusic Guide. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  5. ↑ No byline (December 11, 2007). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-12-21
  6. ↑ "News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  7. ↑ "News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  8. ↑ http://www.lojinx.com/releases/blitzen-trapper/vii. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ "Interview: Blitzen Trapper (Vol. II, No. 1)". Inflatable Ferret. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  10. ↑ "Sub Pop Records : Blitzen Trapper : American Goldwing". Subpop.com. 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  11. ↑ http://www.lojinx.com/releases/blitzen-trapper/vii. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ http://www.stereogum.com/1316712/blitzen-trapper-on-a-tuesday/mp3s/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ "Sub Pop Records : Blitzen Trapper : War Is Placebo". Subpop.com. 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  14. ↑ "Sub Pop Records : Blitzen Trapper : Maybe Baby". Subpop.com. 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  15. ↑ "Sub Pop Records : Blitzen Trapper : Hey Joe". Subpop.com.

External links