Pretty Balanced

Infobox musical artist
Background = group_or_band
Name = Pretty Balanced


Landscape = yes
Img_capt = Pretty Balanced in 2007. Left to right: Forest Christenson, Judith Shimer, and Parker Ross. (photo by Noah A. Alloy)
Img_size = 250
Years_active = 2004-present
Origin = Columbus, Ohio, United States
Genre = Piano rock, Chamber rock, Electronica, Dark cabaret
Label =
Current_members = Judith Shimer
Forest Christenson
Parker Ross
Past_members = John Siddall
URL = [http://www.prettybalanced.com]

Pretty Balanced is an American "piano chamber rock" band based in Columbus, Ohio. Its unique sound is the result of a fusion of instruments often associated with chamber music, such as violin, cello, and piano, playing rock compositions, and often employing electronic production. Its members are Judith Shimer (also of The Sneaky Mister) on piano and cello, Forest Christenson (of Solarist, formerly The Liberty Tax, and Starving Goliath) on drums and violin, and Parker Ross (of El Jewbacabra) on bass. [Judith Shimer, " [http://prettybalanced.com/bio.html HISTORY OF THE BAND] ", "Pretty Balanced", 2007. URL accessed 3-January-2008.]

History

The band formed in 2004, while the members were attending Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center. The original lineup included John Siddall on bass, but he was replaced by Ross after leaving Columbus for college.

In 2005, the Pretty Balanced song "Simon's Sleeping" was featured on Projekt Records' compilation "A Dark Cabaret", which sold nationally in Hot Topic stores.

In 2006, the band won second place in the Columbus Dispatch Battle of the Bands 3, winning $300 and five hours of recording time at John Schwab Recording. [The Columbus Dispatch, " [http://www.dispatch.com/live/contentbe/dispatch/2006/02/16/battle.html NATURAL HIGH FROM FORT HAYES WINS BATTLE OF THE BANDS] ", "The Columbus Dispatch", 2006-02-16. URL accessed 3-January-2008.]

After the members graduated from high school in 2006, the band went on a partial-hiatus, but still plays shows throughout the Eastern and Midwest United States every several months.

Discography

* "Free Public Consumption", 2005
* "Re-mix-a Spektor", 2005
* "The Tape Dust", 2005
* "Icicle Bicycle", 2006
* "i.B. ReLease", 2006
* "Conical Monocle", 2008

ee also

* Amanda Palmer
* List of dark cabaret artists
* Regina Spektor

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.prettybalanced.com Band website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/prettybalanced Pretty Balanced on Myspace]
* [http://www.last.fm/music/Pretty+Balanced Pretty Balanced on Last.fm]
* [http://www.forestchristenson.com Forest Christenson and Solarist website]
* [http://www.wwwiii2.org/pb/ Official free Pretty Balanced music download page]