- TV on the Radio
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TV on the Radio 
TV on the Radio performing at the 2008 Treasure Island FestivalBackground information Origin Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Genres Indie rock, art rock Years active 2001 – present Labels Touch and Go Records
4AD
InterscopeAssociated acts Celebration, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jane's Addiction, Maximum Balloon, Rain Machine Website tvontheradio.com Members Tunde Adebimpe
Kyp Malone
David Andrew Sitek
Jaleel BuntonPast members Gerard Smith (deceased) TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music.
The group has released several EPs including their debut Young Liars (2003), and four critically acclaimed studio albums: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004), Return to Cookie Mountain (2006), Dear Science (2008), and Nine Types of Light (2011).
For the bulk of their existence, the core TV on the Radio lineup has been Tunde Adebimpe (vocals/loops), David Andrew Sitek (guitars/keyboards/loops), Kyp Malone (vocals/guitars/bass/loops), Jaleel Bunton (drums/vocals/loops/guitars) and Gerard Smith (bass/keyboards) as official members. Smith died from lung cancer on April 20, 2011. The band has replaced Smith for their current tour but have not yet announced their long term plans as a band without him.
Other contributors have included David Bowie, Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead, Martin Perna of Antibalas and Katrina Ford of Celebration.
Contents
History
The first release from TV on the Radio (initially just founding members Adebimpe and Sitek) was the self-released OK Calculator (the title being a reference to Radiohead's album OK Computer[1]) They were later joined by Kyp Malone, and released the Young Liars EP in 2003 to critical acclaim. This was followed by the full-length Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes which earned the band the 2004 Shortlist Music Prize. They released a second EP, New Health Rock, later that year.
Their third album, Return to Cookie Mountain, leaked in early 2006 and garnered pre-release praise from such outlets as Pitchfork Media[2] before its official release in July overseas. U.S. and Canadian release was in September on Interscope. The album received critical acclaim after its release from many sources, including Spin magazine which named Return to Cookie Mountain its Album of the Year for 2006.[3] The album features guest appearances from David Bowie, Celebration, Dragons of Zynth, Martin Perna and Stuart D. Bogie of Antibalas, Blonde Redhead, Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner. Bowie contributed back-up vocals on the song "Province". In promotion of the album, the band performed " Wolf Like Me" on the Late Show with David Letterman, which has garnered over 1.5 million views on YouTube.[4] During the U.S. tour, the band performed a few covers with Bauhaus singer Peter Murphy and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor.
The band's 4th album, Dear Science, was released September 23, 2008 on Interscope. It was made available for streaming on their Myspace page and subsequently leaked onto the internet on September 6, 2008. The album received widespread critical acclaim. It was named the best album of 2008 by Rolling Stone,[5] The Guardian,[6] Spin magazine,[7] The Onion AV Club,[8] MTV,[9] Entertainment Weekly,[10] the Pitchfork Media's readers poll[11] as well as the Pazz and Jop critic's poll.[12] It was also named the second best album of 2008 by NME and the fourth best album of 2008 by Planet Sound.
On September 22, 2008, they performed "Dancing Choose" in the setting of a flight of outer apartment stairs on the Late Show with David Letterman[13]. They also appeared on Later... with Jools Holland on September 30, 2008, performing "Golden Age" and "Dancing Choose", which were the same songs they performed on Saturday Night Live on February 7, 2009. The band performed "Dancing Choose" on the February 9, 2009 episode of The Colbert Report.
On September 3, 2009, Tunde Adebimpe announced that TV on the Radio would be taking a year long hiatus.[14] Guitarist Kyp Malone's solo album, under the name Rain Machine, was released on September 22, 2009 on ANTI-.[15] A solo album by Dave Sitek, Maximum Balloon, was released August 24, 2010 on Interscope, featuring a variety of guest vocals by many of his musician friends such as Karen O, David Byrne, and both of his TV on the Radio vocalist bandmates, and numerous others.[16]
In addition, Sitek produced Holly Miranda's album The Magician's Private Library, which also featured fellow TV on the Radio members Jaleel Bunton and Kyp Malone.[17]
On February 7, 2011, the band announced an end to their hiatus, along with their upcoming album Nine Types of Light.[18][19]
On April 12, 2011, the album Nine Types of Light was released along with a one-hour film under the same name containing music videos for all the songs on the album as well as interviews with various New Yorkers. The film was directed by various directors under the supervision of Tunde Adebimpe.[20]
It was announced in March, 2011, that the band's bassist, Gerard Smith, was diagnosed with lung cancer. On April 20, 2011 the band issued a statement of the passing of Gerard Smith on their homepage: "We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer. Gerard passed away the morning of April 20th, 2011. We will miss him terribly."[21]
Style and influences
TV on the Radio has said that their eclectic music is due for their liking of very diverse bands, including Bad Brains, Earth, Wind & Fire, Nancy Sinatra, Serge Gainsbourg,[22] Brian Eno,[23] and the Pixies. Adebimpe covered the Pixies song "Mr. Grieves" under the TV on the Radio moniker at the beginning of his career, layering his voice over forty times. The band has also cited Prince's "Purple Rain" as a classic.[24]
As references for their catchy beats and verses, TV on the Radio also named post-punk acts Wire[22] and Siouxsie and the Banshees.[25] They stated that they have "always tried to make a song that begins like (Siouxsie) "Kiss Them For Me". [25]
Line-ups
- 2000–2003
- Tunde Adebimpe – Vocals, loops
- David Andrew Sitek – Guitar, Keyboards, drums
- 2003–2005
- Tunde Adebimpe – Vocals, loops
- David Andrew Sitek – Guitar, keyboards, drums, loops, bass, synthesizer
- Kyp Malone – Vocals, guitar, loops
- 2005–2008
- Tunde Adebimpe – Vocals, percussion
- David Andrew Sitek – Sampler, guitar, bass, flute, keyboards, synthesizer
- Kyp Malone – Vocals, bass, guitar
- Gerard Smith – Piano, bass, organ, vocals, guitar, sitar
- Jaleel Bunton – Drums, guitar, piano, percussion, vocals, Rhodes
- Contributing artists:
- Kazu Makino – Vocals
- Jeremy Wilms – Cello
- David Bowie – Vocals
- Omega Moon – Vocals
- Katrina Ford – Vocals
- Martin Perna – Saxophone, horns
- Dragons of Zynth – Vocals, percussion
- Aaron Tites – Vocals
- Chris Taylor – Horns, clarinet
- Stuart Bogie – Bass, harmonica, clarinet
- 2008–2011
- Tunde Adebimpe – Vocals
- Kyp Malone – Vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, strings
- David Andrew Sitek – Programmer, guitar, sampler, bass, synthesizer, horns
- Gerard Smith – Bass, organ, synthesizer, sampler, Rhodes
- Jaleel Bunton – Drums, guitar, Rhodes, organ, synthesizer, bass, programmer, strings
- Contributing artists:
- Katrina Ford – Vocals
- Eleanore Everdell – Vocals
- David Bergander – Drums
- Yoshi Takamasa – Percussion
- Stuart Bogie – Saxophone, horns
- Colin Stetson – Saxophone
- Matana Roberts – Saxophone, clarinet
- Leah Paul – Horns
- Eric Biondo – Trumpet
- Aaron Johnson – Trombone
- Martin Perna – Flute
- Claudia Chopek – Violin, strings
- Janis Shen – Violin, strings
- Perry Serpa – Strings
- Lara Hicks – Viola
- Eleanor Norton – Cello
- 2011–present
- Tunde Adebimpe – Vocals
- Kyp Malone – Vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, strings
- David Andrew Sitek – Programmer, guitar, sampler, bass, synthesizer, horns
- Jaleel Bunton – Drums, guitar, Rhodes, organ, synthesizer, bass, programmer, strings
- Contributing artists:
- Katrina Ford – Vocals
- Eleanore Everdell – Vocals
- David Bergander – Drums
- Yoshi Takamasa – Percussion
- Stuart Bogie – Saxophone, horns
- Colin Stetson – Saxophone
- Matana Roberts – Saxophone, clarinet
- Leah Paul – Horns
- Eric Biondo – Trumpet
- Aaron Johnson – Trombone
- Martin Perna – Flute
- Claudia Chopek – Violin, strings
- Janis Shen – Violin, Strings
- Perry Serpa – Strings
- Lara Hicks – Viola
- Eleanor Norton – Cello
- Priscilla Ahn – Vocals
Discography
Albums
Year Name Charts
U.S.
AUS
CAN
UK2002 OK Calculator - First album
- Released: 2002
- Label: N/A (self-released demo)
- Formats:
— — — — 2004 Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes - Second album (first studio album)
- Released on: March 9, 2004
- Label: Touch and Go, 4AD
- Formats: LP, CD, download
— — — 175 2006 Return to Cookie Mountain - Third album (second studio album)
- Released on: July 6, 2006 (world)
September 12, 2006 (U.S./Canada) - Label: Interscope, 4AD
- Formats: LP, CD, download
41 50 — 90 2008 Dear Science - Fourth album (third studio album)
- Released on: September 22, 2008 (world)
September 23, 2008 (U.S./Canada) - Label: Interscope, 4AD
- Formats: LP, CD, download
12 26 26 33 2011 Nine Types of Light - Fifth album (fourth studio album)
- Released on: April 11, 2011 (world)
April 12, 2011 (U.S./Canada) - Label: Interscope
- Formats: LP, CD, download
12 25 — 33 EPs
Release date Title Label July 8, 2003 Young Liars Touch and Go June 25, 2004 "Staring at the Sun" 4AD 2007 – iTunes Live Sessions Touch and Go March 27, 2007 Live at Amoeba Music Interscope April 14, 2009 Read Silence Interscope Singles
- "Staring at the Sun" [CD & 7"] (2004), 4AD
- "New Health Rock" [CD & 7"] (2004), Touch and Go #76 UK
- "Dry Drunk Emperor" (2005) (free download)
- "Wolf Like Me" [CD & 7"] (2006), 4AD, (#37 Hot Modern Rock Tracks) [26] #89 UK
- "Province" [7"] (2007), 4AD
- "Golden Age" (2008), 4AD
- "Dancing Choose" [12"] (2008), 4AD
- "Crying" (2009), 4AD
- "Family Tree" (2009), 4AD
- "Will Do" (2011), 4AD, (#48 Rock Songs, #36 Hot Modern Rock Tracks) [27]
- "Chemical Peels" (2011), 4AD
Other
- The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered (cover album) – "Walking the Cow"
- Warm & Scratchy (Adult Swim compilation album) – "Me – I" (featuring Derek Thomas Ambrosi)
- War Child Presents Heroes (charity covers compilation) – "Heroes" (David Bowie cover)
Remixes
- Beck "Dark Star (TV on the Radio Remix)" (2007), Interscope Records
- Bumblebeez 81 "Pony Ride (TV on the Radio Remix)"
- Fischerspooner "Never Win (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2005), FS Studios
- The Knife "Marble House (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2007), Brille Records
- Nine Inch Nails "Survivalism (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2007), Interscope Records
- Lee "Scratch" Perry "Fire In Babylon (Dave Sitek Remix)" (2006), Narnack Records
- Nat King Cole "Nature Boy" (TV On The Radio Remix) (2009) Capitol Records
- Steven Wilson "Harmony Korine (David A. Sitek Magnetized Nebula Mix)" (2009), Kscope
- Tegan and Sara "Alligator" (Dave Sitek Remix) (2010)
Videography
- "Staring at the Sun" (March 2004, directed by Elliot Jokelson)
- "Dreams" (May 2004, directed by Elliot Jokelson & UVPhactory)
- "Wolf Like Me" (August 2006, directed by Lee Lennox)
- "Wolf Like Me" (September 2006, directed by Jon Watts)
- "Province" (January 2007, directed by Jeff Scheven)
- "Me - I" (May 2007, directed by Daniel Garcia & Mixtape Club
- "Golden Age" (September 2008, directed by Petro Papahadjopoulos)
- "Dancing Choose" (September 2008, directed by Brad & Brian Palmer)
- "Will Do" (March 2011, directed by Dugan O'Neal)
- "Nine Types of Light" (April 2011, directed by Tunde Adebimpe)
References
- ^ Harrington, Richard (April 13, 2007), "TV on the Radio: Coming in Loud and Clear", Washington Post: WE06, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041200693.html, retrieved September 30, 2008
- ^ Dahlen, Chris. "Return to Cookie Mountain". Pitchfork Media, July 5, 2007. Retrieved on June 24, 2007.
- ^ "The 40 Best Albums of 2006". Spin, December 14, 2006. Retrieved on November 2, 2007.
- ^ "Wolf Like Me" on YouTube
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 2008". Rolling Stone. 2008-12-25. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ Jonze, Tim (December 12, 2008). "No 1: TV On the Radio – Dear Science". London: Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/12/tv-on-the-radio-dear-science. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ "The 20 Best Albums of 2008". Spin.com. http://www.spin.com/gallery/20-best-albums-2008?page=20. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ "The best music of 2008". The A.V. Club. December 10, 2008. http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-music-of-2008,2562/4. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ Montgomery, James (2008-12-17). "The Best Albums Of 2008, In Bigger Than The Sound". MTV.com. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601427/20081216/lil_wayne.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ "10 Best CDs of 2008: Leah Greenblatt's Picks". EW.com. http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20162677_20164091_20247308_9,00.html. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ "2008 Pitchfork Readers Poll". Pitchforkmedia.com. 2008-12-12. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/148094-2008-pitchfork-readers-poll. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ "New York Pazz and Jop". Villagevoice.com. 2009-11-10. http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/albums/2008. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puqnxPGwpo4
- ^ Montgomery, James (2009-09-03). "TV On The Radio To Go On Hiatus". MTV.com. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1620723/20090903/tv_on_the_radio.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ "Rain Machine". ANTI. http://anti.com/artists/view/70. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
- ^ "an interview with Dave Sitek of Maximum Balloon (the TVOTR guitarist/producer's new project w/ many guest vocalists)". Brooklyn Vegan. June 14, 2010. http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/06/an_interview_w_34.html. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
- ^ "Holly Miranda – The Magician's Private Library (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs (Zink Media, Inc.). http://www.discogs.com/Holly-Miranda-The-Magicians-Private-Library/release/2169305. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
- ^ "TV on the Radio Return!". Pitchfork. http://pitchfork.com/news/41492-tv-on-the-radio-return/. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ^ "NEW ALBUM, Nine Types of Light, COMING SPRING 2011 – BAND TO PLAY RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL APRIL 1". http://www.myspace.com/tvotr/blog/541992619.
- ^ "TV On the Radio Unveils Nine Types of Light Trailer". http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2011/04/08/tv-on-the-radio-unveils-nine-types-of-light-trailer/.
- ^ TV On The Radio's Gerard Smith dies at 36
- ^ a b Harris, David. "TV on the Radio (David Sitek): Interview". Tinymixtapes.com. September 2008
- ^ "SoundToys Fanatic – David Sitek" Soundtoys.com.
- ^ Keyes, J. Edward. "TV on the Radio". Rollingstone.com.
- ^ a b "Icon: Siouxsie", The Fader Magazine, The Icon Issue 67, April/May 2010. Page 74
- ^ Billboard.com – Artist Singles Chart History – TV on the Radio
- ^ http://www.radio1.gr/music/forthcoming_usa_singles.htm
External links
- Official website
- TV on the Radio on Myspace
- Interscope Records profile
- Interview (November 2008) at Webcuts
- Nov 2008 Interview with L.A. Record
- Interview with Gerard & Tunde Brooklyn Rail 2008 – contains details of band's formation.
- Kyp Malone discusses his favorite songs with NPR Music
Studio albums EPs Singles "Staring at the Sun" · "New Health Rock" · "Wolf Like Me" · "Province" · "Golden Age" · "Dancing Choose" · "Will Do" · "Chemical Peels"Categories:- Musical groups established in 2001
- Alternative rock groups from New York
- American indie rock groups
- African American musical groups
- African American rock musicians
- Touch and Go Records artists
- Interscope Records artists
- 4AD artists
- Winners of the Shortlist Music Prize
- State University of New York at Purchase alumni
- Musical quintets
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