- Cotton Mather (band)
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This article is about a rock band. For the 17th century Puritan minister, see Cotton Mather.
Cotton Mather Origin Austin, Texas, USA Genres Powerpop Years active 1991 — 2003 Labels Copper Records, Elm, Rainbow Quartz Legendary indie rock outfit Cotton Mather was founded by Robert Harrison of Austin, Texas in the early 1990s. What started as an experimental collaboration with cellist Nat Shelton had by 1993 evolved into a guitar driven pop quartet defined by accessible melodies, strong vocal harmonies and lyrical wit. They have drawn comparisons to the Beatles, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Squeeze, and Guided By Voices.[1] In his 2007 book, Shake Some Action, John Borack rated the Kon Tiki album at number 26 of his Top 200 Power Pop Albums of all time, comparing the album to Revolver-era Beatles, Big Star, and Apples in Stereo.[2] NME suggested Cotton Mather might just be "... the most exciting guitar pop band since Supergrass."
The group (with the lineup Robert Harrison- guitar and vocals, Whit Williams guitar and vocals, Matt Hovis- bass and Greg Thibeaux- drums) released their debut Cotton is King in 1994 on the short lived ELM label. The follow-up Kontiki, famously recorded on 4-track cassette and ADAT drew praise from critics and rock-stars alike. By this time George Reiff had assumed bass playing honors and Dana Myzer had taken over on drums. The group's final lineup with Harrison, Williams, Myzer and Josh Gravelin (bass) released the 7 song mini-album Hotel Baltimore in 2000 and The Big Picture in 2002.Contents
Rise to Popularity
Oasis guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher got a copy of Cotton Mather's CD Kon Tiki, and was very impressed. Oasis helped promote Cotton Mather and asked them to tour with Oasis.[3] The British psych-pop label Rainbow Quartz reissued Kon Tiki in the UK in late 1998, becoming a massive hit, with the song "My Before and After" even gaining a fair amount of radio airplay.[4] The band's Lost My Motto was featured on Little Steven Van Zandt's "Coolest Songs In The World Vol. 1".[5]
After releasing four albums and a handful of singles, Cotton Mather quietly ended in 2003. In 2005, their song "Lily Dreams On," originally released on Kon Tiki, appeared on the soundtrack of the popular television show Veronica Mars.
Cotton Mather's frontman and songwriter Robert Harrison has a band called Future Clouds and Radar, with a self-titled CD released on the Star Apple Kingdom label.[6][7] Future Clouds and Radar was named by Harp Magazine in 2007 Debut Artist of the Year. Future and Clouds and Radar followed up their eponymous debut with the equally well received Peoria in 2009.
Whit Williams and Dana Myzer formed a new band, Stockton, and have released one album.[8] Dana Myzer has relocated to London and joined British guitar pop band Farrah.
Josh Gravelin went on to play, record, and tour with a number of Austin bands and artists including Ian Moore, Alejandro Escovedo, Future Clouds and Radar, Guy Forsyth, Sparkwood, Beaver Nelson, Oxford Files, Nakia, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and many more. He currently resides in Chicago, IL.
Original Bassist Matt Hovis is CEO of the marketing and advertising firm Exoplolis and still lives in Austin. Hovis teamed with Kevin Whitley (drummer on The Crafty Flower Arranger) and 16 Deluxe vocalist Carrie Clark to form the Pretty Please in 2004. The group released one EP which Harrison produced. Bassist George Reiff who played with Cotton Mather from 1995-1997 is an Austin based musician/producer who has played with Chris Robinson, The Courtyard Hounds, The Dixie Chicks, Jakob Dylan, Future Clouds and Radar, and Bruce Robison among others. Founding member Nat Shelton now lives in Minneapolis.
Name
The band gets its name from 17th century Puritan preacher and author Cotton Mather, a minister at Boston's North Church. He was famous for, among other things, supporting the executions of the so-called "witches" at the Salem witch trials.
Discography
- Crafty Flower Arranger (1992, demo-album)
- Cotton Is King (1994)
- Kon Tiki (1997)
- Hotel Baltimore (EP) (1999)
- Password (CD Single) (1999)
- My Before & After (CD Single) (2000)
- The Big Picture (2001)
- 40 Watt Solution (EP) (2001)
Future Clouds and Radar
Future Clouds and Radar is the latest band for Cotton Mather's Robert Harrison, releasing a first CD in 2007 and a second in 2009.
External links
References
- ^ "Oct 2006, Power Populist, "Cotton Mather" ("a brilliant fusion of the Beatles, Squeeze, and Guided By Voices")". http://powerpopulist.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html.
- ^ Borack, John M. (2007). Shake Some Action. Not Lame. pp. 58–9. ISBN 978-0-9797714-0-8.
- ^ "Rhapsody Online, Cotton Mather". http://www.rhapsody.com/cottonmather/more.html.
- ^ "Last FM". http://www.last.fm/music/Cotton+Mather/+wiki.
- ^ ""The Coolest Songs In The World Vol. 1" CD". http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/7402960/a/The+Coolest+Songs+In+The+World+Vol.+1.htm.
- ^ "Dec 2006, "Former Cotton Mather frontman Robert Harrison's new gig: Future Clouds & Radar "". http://fuelfriends.blogspot.com/2006/12/former-cotton-mather-frontman-robert.html.
- ^ "Future Clouds & Radar at Amazon". http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NQR7U2.
- ^ "Stockton at Not Lame Recordings". http://www.notlame.com/CDSTOCKTON1.html.
Categories:- American power pop groups
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