Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

Infobox musical artist
Name = Thao with The Get Down Stay Down


Img_capt = Left to right: Willis Thompson, Frank Stewart, Adam Thompson, Thao Nguyen
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagicon|United States Falls Church, Virginia, United States
Genre = Folk rock, Alternative rock
Years_active = 2003-Present
Label = Trust Me Corporation
Kill Rock Stars
URL = [http://www.thaomusic.com/ Official Site]
Current_members = Thao Nguyen, Frank Stewart, Adam Thompson, Willis Thompson

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down is a San Francisco, California-based (formerly Falls Church, Virginia) alternative folk rock music group. It consists of Thao Nguyen (vocals, guitar), Frank Stewart (lead guitar, production), Adam Thompson (bass guitar), and Willis Thompson (drums).

History

After picking up her guitar at the age of 12, Thao Nguyen began performing and recording as an indie-folk duo with a high school friend, Brenna Clerkin. Raised in Falls Church, Virginia with her single mother, she often practiced her songs while working at her mother's laundromat. She often cites Lilith Fair as an inspiration for her desire to become a young singer/songwriter. After recording an EP that differed from her initial style, she began performing as a soloist with her acoustic guitar.

Nguyen would meet drummer Willis Thompson while studying for her degrees in Sociology and Women’s Studies at The College of William and Mary and his in Environmental Studies and Music. Willis Thompson was a member of [http://www.myspace.com/63080755 Camp Tigerclaw] , [http://www.myspace.com/acousticore1 Acousticore] , and [http://www.myspace.com/mkrva Murphy's Kids] . He is also a contributing member to the band [http://www.myspace.com/thelightfootwork The Light Footwork] . Thao Nguyen and Willis Thompson met Adam Thompson (no relation) during a show at the Harrison Street Coffee Shop in Richmond, Virginia. At the time, Adam Thompson was performing as a solo jazz-influenced act under the moniker The OK Bird. Frank Stewart, member of the bands [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3rdqoayalijr~T00 Durian] and [http://www.myspace.com/verbal Verbal] , would produce the first full-length album "Like the Linen" in 2005 and join the band as a lead guitarist. Although only Willis and Nguyen initially performed live on tour, the four members began touring as a group during the Kill Rock Stars' Sound the Hare Heard tour during the summer of 2006. The name of the band was originally suggested by a former bassist of the band. Nguyen would expand the initial suggestion of "The Get Down" to "The Get Down Stay Down". Thao Nguyen still occasionally performs as a soloist, including a European tour with Laura Veirs and the Tortured Souls in August 2006.

Current

They are now being managed by Slim Moon, former president of the Kill Rock Stars label.After sending Like the Linen to Laura Veirs, Thao was able to get connected to Tucker Martine, Veirs' drummer and producer for The Decemberists and Sufjan Stevens.In August 2006, the group began recording with Martine in Seattle and released the album "We Brave Bee Stings And All" in January of 2008. Thao Nguyen has since moved to San Francisco, California. They've toured in 2008 with Xiu Xiu, and separately with Rilo Kiley before heading out on their first headlining tour in July and August. Thao will be appearing by herself on this Fall's Hotel Cafe Tour across the USA.

Discography

Albums

*2005 "Like the Linen"
*2006 "Day Trotter Sessions"
*2008 "We Brave Bee Stings and All"

ingles

*"Bag of Hammers" from "We Brave Bee Stings and All"

Compilation contributions

*2006 "Feet Asleep" - "The Sound the Hare Heard" (Kill Rock Stars compilation disc)

External links

* [http://www.thaomusic.com/ Official Website]
* [http://radio.utdallas.edu/blog/?p=148/ Interview with RadioUTD]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thaomusic MySpace profile]
* [http://www.daytrotter.com/daytrotterSessions/189/free-songs-thao-nguyen The Day Trotter Sessions with Free Songs]
* [http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2008/08/30/bumbershoot-music-lounge-day-1-thao-with-the-get-down-stay-down/ KEXP interview with Thao about her involvement with Oxfam America]
* [http://www.ontaponline.com/view_article.php?article_id=10078 OnTap Review]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmHIuzElbZc Kill Rock Stars Podcast With Bag of Hammers Video]
* [http://www.rcrdlbl.com/2008/04/18/download_thao_the_get_down_stay_down/ SEEN: Download Thao & the Get Down, Stay Down]