The Twilight Singers

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Twilight Singers

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Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Instruments =
Genre = rock, alternative rock, indie rock
Years_active = 2000–present
Label = Columbia, One Little Indian, Sub Pop
URL = [http://www.thetwilightsingers.com// Official site]
Current_members = Greg Dulli
Dave Rosser
Scott Ford
Jeff Klein
Cully Symington
Past_members = Jon Skibic Michael Sullivan
John Nooney
Mathias Schneeberger
Peter Adams
Manuel Agnelli Shawn Smith Harold "Happy" Chichester Bobby MacIntyre Brian Young
Associated_acts = The Afghan Whigs, The Gutter Twins, Mark Lanegan

The Twilight Singers is an American indie rock band. The group was initially formed as a side project by The Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli in 1997. After the Whigs disbanded The Twilight Singers became an artistic vehicle, and has released four albums backed by international tours.

Career

Demos era

While in-between Afghan Whigs albums and amidst a dispute with their record label, Elektra, Dulli recorded demos for the act with friends and collaborators Shawn Smith (Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed) and Harold "Happy" Chichester (Royal Crescent Mob, Howlin' Maggie) in New Orleans. The demos have an exceptionally dark, tense, and New Orleans-flavored groove and swagger. As a result of The Afghan Whigs' label troubles, it is debated that Elektra leaked the demo tapes as they were widely circulated in the trader circuit.

The Afghan Whigs settled their dispute with Elektra and signed with Sony/Columbia in April 1998. Columbia optioned The Twilight Singers recordings, but preferred to release a new Afghan Whigs album instead. The Afghan Whigs' swan song "1965" was released in October 1998 to wide critical acclaim. The band toured for one year in support of the album but decided to disband in February 2001.

"Twilight" and "Blackberry Belle"

2000 saw Greg Dulli revive The Twilight Singers, reworking the original leaked demos with dance producers and remix auteurs Fila Brazillia. Columbia released the album as "Twilight As Played By The Twilight Singers" in September 2000. The band toured with members of Howlin' Maggie and former Afghan Whigs' drummer, Michael Horrigan, on bass.

Dulli took time off following the short tour for "Twilight", investing in a bar in Los Angeles. In 2001, he began working on the follow up for "Twilight.." tentatively titled "Amber Headlights". The death of Dulli's friend, director Ted Demme in January 2002, forced him to shelve the project, and he took a second leave from writing and recording. After reading the Jack London book "Martin Eden", and experiencing an earthquake, Dulli set about writing the concept album that became "Blackberry Belle".

With a large cast of performers, including former Prince protégé Apollonia and former Screaming Trees singer Mark Lanegan, "Blackberry Belle" became an examination of the dark side of love and loss, a familiar topic revisited from former Afghan Whigs albums like "Black Love". The critics welcomed Dulli's return and were eager to give his second album, independently financed and released through One Little Indian Records in October 2003, high marks.

"She Loves You" and "Powder Burns"

A second touring version of The Twilight Singers including Jon Skibic (guitars), Scott Ford (bass), Manuel Agnelli (keys) and Bobby Macintyre (drums), made two legs through the United States and Europe in 2003 and 2004.

August 2004, the band released their third album, "She Loves You", a collection of cover songs from artists as varied as Fleetwood Mac, Mary J. Blige, Björk and George Gershwin.

In September 2005, Dulli finally released his formerly shelved "Amber Headlights" as his first solo album. He continued working on his fourth Twilight Singers album titled "Powder Burns", which was partly recorded by generator power in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Twilight Singers released "Powder Burns" on May 16, 2006, supported by tours in the United States, Europe, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand. The third touring version of The Twilight Singers included David Rosser (guitars), Scott Ford (bass), singer/songwriter Jeff Klein (keys) and Bobby Macintyre (drums). Mark Lanegan also toured with the group.

On January 3, 2007, The Twilight Singers made their television debut on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", performing their songs "Forty Dollars" from "Powder Burns" and "Sublime" from "A Stitch In Time (EP)". The band was joined by friend and musician Joseph Arthur on guitar and vocals.

Discography

Albums

ingles & EP's

*"Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair" EP (October 7, 2003) ( [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DBO95 Birdman] )
*"Teenage Wristband" Single (November 10, 2003)
*"Feathers" Single (January 26, 2004)
*"Too Tough To Die" Single (November 15, 2004)
*"I'm Ready" Single (July 10, 2006)
*"A Stitch In Time (EP)" (December 4, 2006 - UK) (January 23, 2007 - US) ( [http://www.olistore-us.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=47&osCsid=b0f7efb4ae42cd99abb8dc15b2a82119 One Little Indian] )

External links

* [http://www.thetwilightsingers.com thetwilightsingers.com]
* [http://www.summerskiss.com Summer's Kiss Fan Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/twilightsingers Twilight Singers Myspace Page]
* [http://www.timmcmahan.com/twilight.htm Lazy-i Interview: November 2003]
* [http://www.sscollective.net/twins Twilight Singers Comprehensive Discography at The Shawn Smith Collective]