If Thousands
If Thousands | |
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If Thousands during the "I Have Nothing" sessions. | |
Background information | |
Origin | Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. |
Genres | drone, Trance, Ambient |
Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Organ, |
Years active | 2000–2005 |
Labels | Silber Records, Dreamlan Recordings, Finding Datura Records, Ambolthue Records, Chairkickers' Union Music |
Website | www.ifthousands.net |
Members |
Christian McShane Aaron Molina |
If Thousands is an American drone band from Duluth, Minnesota. Since releasing their debut album "Candice Recorder" in 2001, the band has toured the U.S. with Low. If Thousands' music has been featured on NPR. Christian McShane also performed with Charlie Parr in the band Devil's Flying Machine. Aaron Molina was previously part of the rock band Small Engine City. Nathan Amundson of Rivulets performed on their album Yellowstone.
In a Dreamland Recordings interview McShane explained the purpose and origin If Thousands, "The idea that we started with was to relax people. To relax them to a point where they are drooling.
If Thousands' ethic of relaxation found form in Slumber, a performance where audience members were encouraged to bring pillows and blankets for the purposes of sleep. Elegy, a 25-hour drone in honor of artist Michael Lenz, encouraged cathartic release through unyielding drone.
Molina had been in mostly punk bands and was looking for something new. He found inspiration in "experimental Tuesday's", a local event at the Norshor theatre in which a silent movie was played and people would come on the stage to create its soundtrack.
If Thousands would often bring an organ with them to play. sometimes they had to cut it in half before hand, and quickly assemble it inside. In on such instance, Molina actually electrocuted himself, but was fine.
since their hiatus they have had 1 reunion show.
Lineup
Discography
Studio albums
- Candice Recorder - (Sirsumcorda, 2001)
- Io - (Self-Released, 2002)
- Lullaby - (Silber Records, 2003)
- Yellowstone - (Chairkickers' Union Music, 2003)
- 2d (Collaboration with A Whisper in the Noise) - (Co-Released, 2004)
- GREYSTONE AT SEA - (Dreamland Recordings' Australia 2005)
- I Have Nothing - (Silber Records, 2005)
- For - (self release, 2014) (Silber records)
Compilations
- "In Return" - (NotOnLabel Records, 2002)
- "Songs for the End of the World" - (Silber Records, 2002)
- Sunshine Comes Slowly Through My Window - (Finding Datura Records, 2003)
- Who Killed Cock Robin? - (ELF Films, 2004)
- Winter Wishes - (Silber Records, 2004)
- Drones, Loves, Honesties, Sounds - (Silber Records, 2006)
- Kaleidescopic #6 - (Ambolthue Records, 2007)
Films
- "Who Killed Cock Robin?" (film by Travis Wilkerson) - (Extreme Low Frequency, 2005)
- "Strange Nature" (film by Jim Ojala) - (Ojala Productions, 2009)
References
- Casey, Chris. Dark-Glam Band Brings Music, Vendors to Norshor for 'La Belle Epoque' Fetish Fest Duluth News-Tribune, January 26, 2001
- Cohoon, Dan. If Thousands Interview Frequency Squared, November 30, 2005.
- Godsey, Chris. Slumber, Duluth : A Festival of Dozing MNArtists, October 19, 2004.
- Henning, Sarah. Slumber Will Rock You to Sleep Duluth News-Tribune, October 21, 2004.
- Smith, Rod. Space Invaders City Pages, December 11, 2002.
- Virtucio, V. Paul. Defying Definition If Thousands Can't Put a Label on Its Own Sound -- And Doesn't Exactly Want to" Duluth News-Tribune, June 22, 2001.
External links
- Official Website
- Silber Records Profile
- Interview with Dreamland Recordings
- If Thousands photography essay (2004-2005)