Ezra Furman

Ezra Furman
Born 5 September 1986
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Occupation(s) musician, songwriter
Instruments guitar, vocals, harmonica
Associated acts Ezra Furman & the Boy-Friends, Ezra Furman and the Harpoons
Website www.ezrafurman.com

Ezra Furman is an American musician and songwriter. He currently performs solo and tours with his band Ezra Furman & the Boy-Friends. He was previously active in the band Ezra Furman and the Harpoons.

Career

Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

Ezra Furman and the Harpoons were a four-piece rock band active between 2006-2011. The band consisted of Ezra Furman (vocals, guitar), Job Mukkada (bass guitar), Adam Abrutyn (drums), and Andrew Langer (guitar). They formed at Tufts University in 2006.

The Year of No Returning

After touring in support of Mysterious Power, Ezra Furman recorded a solo album without a label, entitled The Year of No Returning. Ezra raised money through Kickstarter to fund the recording and self-release of the album.[1] The album was recorded at Studio Ballistico, located at the time in the attic of Ezra’s house, and produced by Tim Sandusky, who lived there as well.[2] The album was released in February 2012. At the end of the year, Ezra signed to Bar/None Records, who re-released The Year of No Returning in the summer of 2013.

Ezra’s touring band Ezra Furman & the Boy-Friends formed in spring of 2012 and toured in support of The Year of No Returning. The band consisted of Jorgen Jorgensen (bass), Ben Joseph (keyboard, guitar), and Sam Durkes (drums). Tim Sandusky (saxophone) joined in 2013.

Day of the Dog

Ezra released Day of the Dog in October 2013, also produced by Tim Sandunsky, recorded at Studio Ballistico and released through Bar/None Records.[3] This album got Ezra notable press in the UK, receiving a 5/5 review in The Guardian by Michael Hann: ‘Ezra Furman has made an album of classicist rock’n’roll that never feels like an exercise, but a living, breathing piece of self expression.’[4] and an 8/10 review in NME ‘A bratty, ragged take on New York Dolls, Spector-era Ramones and E Street Band carnival rock. An unexpected gem’.[5]

The band toured the UK in 2014 and were met with positive press. ‘The punk-fired rock'n'roller isn't too cool to be touched by a richly deserved rave reception.’ 5/5 review The Guardian.[6] The tour finished in the autumn with a sold out gig at The Scala in London on September 2014.

Perpetual Motion People

In early 2015 Ezra signed to Bella Union[7] and on 27 April they announced that a new album Perpetual Motion People would be released on 6 July (UK/Europe) and 10th July (US).[8]

Discography

Ezra Furman and the Harpoons

Solo albums

References

  1. ↑ Kickstarter, "Ezra Furman's Kickstarter" 11 July 2007. Retrieved 2015-04-28
  2. ↑ Furman, Ezra. Interview by Frances Capell "New Year", San Francisco Bay Guardian, 9th February 2012.
  3. ↑ Bar/None Records. "Ezra Furman", retrieved 3rd August, 2014.
  4. ↑ Malcom Jack, "Ezra Furman review", The Guardian, 13 February 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-28
  5. ↑ Dan Stubbs, "NME Day of the Dog review", NME, 7 October 2013. Retrieved 2015-04-28
  6. ↑ Malcom Jack, "Ezra Furman Guardian review", The Guardian, 13 February 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-28
  7. ↑ Bella Union "Ezra Furman Signs to Bella Union" 3 March 2015. Retrieved 2015-28-04
  8. ↑ Ben Kaye "Ezra Furman announces new album Perpetual Motion People, Consequences of Sound, 27 April 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-28
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