The Polyphonic Spree

The Polyphonic Spree is a self-described "choral symphonic pop" group from the Dallas, Texas area.

Related Topics:
Symphonic - Pop - Dallas, Texas

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The group was founded by Tim DeLaughter and has had from 13 to 27 members. The three original members, Tim DeLaughter, Mark Pirro and Brian Wakeland were members of the band Tripping Daisy before their guitarist Wes Berggren passed away in 1999. After the tragic end of Tripping Daisy, DeLaughter temporarily gave up music to run Good Records, a record shop in Dallas, Texas.

Related Topics:
Tim DeLaughter - Mark Pirro - Brian Wakeland - Tripping Daisy - Wes Berggren - 1999 - Good Records - Dallas, Texas

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In 2000, DeLaughter, Pirro and Wakeland were asked to create a 30-minute support of Grandaddy. Rather than simply re-hash Tripping Daisy, the three decided to explore a concept Delaughter had of creating a modern symphonic pop-band. Inspired by the sunny, experimental pop bands of the seventies such as Electric Light Orchestra, the call went out for a wide array of musicians. Gradually, the band and the new music took shape through various contacts. A half-hour of music was written and rehearsed by the 13 original members of what became The Polyphonic Spree, who began performing live.

Related Topics:
2000 - Grandaddy - Electric Light Orchestra

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The reaction to the fledgling band was overwhelmingly positive. The band then grew to its present size, (somewhere near 25 members) as it found a growing following of fans energized by the band's powerful stage presence. The setlist of the first Spree show, titled "The Beginning Stages of The Polyphonic Spree", along with a 10th piece entitled "A Long Day" (fully formed from 11-year-old samples of the voice of Tim DeLaughter) was recorded and distributed to skeptical venues that were reluctant to host the enormous band. Eventually, demand for the Spree's music on CD became so great that the album saw commercial release.

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The Polyphonic Spree generally consists of a 10-person choir, a pair of keyboardists, as well as a percussionist, bassist, guitarist, flautist, trumpeter, trombonist, violinist, French horn player, theremin player, and an electronic effects person. Individual members and the number of musicians, however, vary, due to the flexibility necessary in travelling with such a large band. DeLaughter is musical director and contributes lead vocals.

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From their inception, The Polyphonic Spree wore white robes at their live shows, giving the image of purity, hope, and happiness — an image, which, combined with the nature of their music gave many the impression that the band was a religious cult. On recent tours promoting their second album, "Together We're Heavy," they sported multicoloured robes.

Related Topics:
Cult - Together We're Heavy

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The band initially became successful in the United Kingdom. They were invited by David Bowie to support The Divine Comedy at the Royal Festival Hall in London for the 2002 Meltdown Festival.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - David Bowie - The Divine Comedy - Royal Festival Hall - London - Meltdown Festival

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In early 2003, they were dropped by their record label, 679 Recordings, citing "lack of record sales." Ironically, it was about this time that the band had only just begun to break into the pop-cultural scene. The song "Light and Day / Reach For the Sun" was used in a joint Volkswagen Beetle/iPod tie-in advertising campaign, appearing on nationwide television commercials. Also during this time the band were invited to be an opening act for David Bowie on his "Reality Tour."

Related Topics:
2003 - 679 Recordings - Volkswagen Beetle - IPod

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2004 was a big year for the band. They found a new deal at Hollywood Records and released their sophomore album, "Together We're Heavy" in Japan on June 30th, Europe on July 12th and North America on July 13th of 2004. The Polyphonic Spree was featured on the television program Scrubs on April 20 2004, in the episode "My Choosiest Choice of All" (3-19); and on the television program Las Vegas on November 29 2004, in the episode "Silver Star" (2-10). The Polyphonic Spree was also featured on the soundtrack of the film Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind written by Charlie Kaufman, directed by Michel Gondry and starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.

Related Topics:
2004 - Hollywood Records - Together We're Heavy - Scrubs - April 20 - Las Vegas - November 29 - Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind - Charlie Kaufman - Michel Gondry - Jim Carrey - Kate Winslet

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Though reception for the band is generally positive and large crowds continue to buy tickets to see the band live, the Spree has drawn some critical derision from those who accuse the band of being "fake" and "artificially happy." Most notably, Entertainment Weekly listed "Together We're Heavy" as the second-worst album of 2004, behind only "Inspiration".

Related Topics:
Entertainment Weekly - Together We're Heavy - Inspiration

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Nevertheless, the band's popularity continues to grow. In December 2004, The Polyphonic Spree performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, honoring Wangari Maathai before a huge worldwide television audience.

Related Topics:
December - 2004 - Nobel Peace Prize - Wangari Maathai

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2005 saw the release of Thumbsucker, a feature film by Mike Mills, with a score composed by Tim DeLaughter and performed by The Polyphonic Spree.

Related Topics:
2005 - Thumbsucker - Mike Mills

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The band is currently at work on their third album.

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