A Whisper In The Noise
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History
Influenced by artists ranging from Bob Dylan and Roger Waters to Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt, Minneapolis-based A Whisper In The Noise was formed in 2002 by West Thordson, who grew up on a large patch of farmland in the rural Minnesota town of Hanska (population 365). As an adult, Thordson moved into the abandoned elementary school he attended as a boy, where he composed in the music room in which he'd played as a child and wandered the empty halls at night. This dark, dramatic sense of loneliness and solitude informs the moody, atmospheric sound of the music he makes with bandmates Matt Irwin (drums) amd Hannah Murray (violin). Within a year of forming, the band had released its debut album Through The Ides Of March, which was recorded in two days and produced by the legendary Steve Albini, who later took the band to Europe to open a string of shows for Shellac. The album earned comparisons to art rock bands such as Sigur Rós and Mogwai (the latter of which A Whisper In The Noise eventually toured the U.K. with), and also garnered them a performance slot at Europe's All Tomorrow's Parties festival. The band's second album As The Bluebird Sings saw them further expanding their experimental sound and covering Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'." Produced by Tom Herbers (Low, Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks, Victoria Williams), the album was released in the spring of 2006. The recordings drew the attention of M. Night Shyamalan, who featured music by the band in his film Lady In The Water. Now in 2007 the band has expanded, developed and progressed their sound, members have changed to include more strings and synth and they have composed their most accomplished album Dry Land. Also produced by long-time friend Steve Albini, the album, chiming in at 11 tracks and 55 minutes, is a full fledged attack on your senses that will leave you astonished.
Members
- West Thordson – vocals, piano
- Hannah Murray - violin
- Matt Irwin – percussion, guitar, synthesizer
Discography
Through the Ides of March
The album's title alludes to the famous quote from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, wherein a soothsayer warns Julius Caesar of his impending doom on the way to the Senate. The album was recorded in a very short period of time (two days during March), at which point someone warned the composer to "beware the ides of March." The album was recorded in Chicago by Steve Albini and released in 2003.
2D
Between Through the Ides of March and As the Bluebird Sings the band released a shorter album in collaboration with If Thousands called 2D.
As the Bluebird Sings
The band's second full-length album was entitled As the Bluebird Sings. It includes a cover of Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin which was included on the soundtrack of M. Night Shyamalan's Lady in the Water. The title is partially based on a quote from a Charles Bukowski poem, as well as another Bukowski poem entitled Bluebird. Thordson has been quoted as saying that to him the bluebird symbolizes purity. The album was produced by Tom Herbers and released in April of 2006.
Dry Land
In October 2007 the band released their most recent album. Titled Dry Land, it is currently being distributed on the Germany-based label Exile On Mainstream Records. The album was produced by the band's long time friend Steve Albini. The first 2000 presses were a limited edition that were packaged in over 100 year old paper that was coffee stained, air dried & then screenprinted by hand by band members Matt Irwin & West Thordson in Thordson's basement. The album has had great success in the first weeks, being the first band signed to Exile on Mainstream Records to completely sell out of stock on the labels web store.
Related Web sites
www.awitn.com
www.myspace.com/awitn
www.mainstreamrecords.de
www.southern.net/southern/
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