Joseph Arthur
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Website | josepharthur |
Joseph Arthur (born September 28, 1971) is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. He is best known for his solo material, and as a member of Fistful of Mercy and RNDM. Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances often incorporate the use of a number of distortion and loop pedals, and his shows are recorded live at the soundboard and made available to concertgoers immediately following the show on recordable media.
Arthur was discovered by
In 2013, Arthur started a
Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer; his artwork has appeared on all of his releases, with the sleeve design for his 1999 extended play Vacancy being nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.
Musical career
Early life and Big City Secrets
Arthur began writing and playing music in his early teens, after inheriting an electronic keyboard from his aunt.[1] At age 16, he played bass in a blues band called Frankie Starr and the Chill Factor, which disbanded by 1995.[2] Initially, Arthur sought to become a noted bass guitarist, stating: "I never started singing until I was in my early 20s. I remember thinking, 'OK – I am not a singer, I am a musician.' I wanted to be this like heroic bass player so I listened to people like Jaco Pastorius, to Bitches Brew over and over again. And then like Nirvana came out and I was blown away and then I got into Bob Dylan. Around that time I started playing acoustic guitar and realized I could actually write songs if I wasn't playing complicated bass lines."[3]
Arthur graduated from
In 1996,
2000–2003: Come to Where I'm From and Redemption's Son
In April 2000, Arthur released his sophomore studio album
After releasing a series of four EPs called
While on tour, Arthur regularly released recordings of his performances soon after each show. He also recorded an album with alternative rock side project Holding the Void, featuring himself on vocals and guitar, Pat Sansone on vocals and bass, and Rene Lopez on vocals and drums.[14] In Summer 2003, he toured with Tracy Chapman in the US.[15]
2004–2006: Our Shadows Will Remain
Arthur signed a new recording contract with Vector Recordings and began recording his fourth studio album, Our Shadows Will Remain across New Orleans, New York City, London, and Prague. The album was released in September 2004, and was Arthur's first album to feature string arrangements, provided by the City of Prague Philharmonic. The album was released to widespread critical acclaim; Allmusic's Thom Jurek awarded the album 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising that, "Arthur is in a class of his own and Our Shadows Will Remain is a monstrous, memorable outing, his finest moment in a career that is thus far full of them."[13] Entertainment Weekly gave the album an A rating, hailing the album as "especially forceful and cohesive";[16] The Guardian hailed that Joseph "might just be a genuine mad genius";[17] Stylus Magazine gave the album an A− rating;[18] and Chris Rubin of Rolling Stone named Our Shadows Will Remain as the number 1 album of the year 2004 in the year-end critics' pick list.
Arthur toured the US alone and with
In August 2006, Joseph was invited to help launch the project A River Blue, where a group of young people in northern Uganda were brought together to participate in a music, drama, and art festival.[20] Joseph also recorded the song "A River Blue" for the foundation.[21]
2006–2007: Lonely Astronaut Records, Nuclear Daydream, and Let's Just Be
In 2006, Arthur started the record label
His song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and Chris Martin of Coldplay in 2006 for a Hurricane Katrina relief EP. The EP includes six versions of the song, one featuring Arthur himself singing with Stipe and another remixed by Justin Timberlake, and is available only on iTunes. On March 26, 2007, Joseph's then-UK label 14th Floor Records released a re-recorded version of his 2002 song "Honey and the Moon" as a special single in the UK only. In April, he released his sixth studio album, Let's Just Be, and embarked on an extensive US tour. This was Joseph's first album with The Lonely Astronauts; the band recorded as many as 80 songs in late 2006,[23] with only sixteen appearing on the album. The album was released to lukewarm critical reception, with Pitchfork Media calling the album "unfocused" and "sloppy", summarizing that the album "sounds like it came together on the fly, in jam sessions that didn't stem from any kind of solid idea."[24]
In 2007, Joseph contributed vocals to the track "Aggro" from The Ideal Condition by Paul Hartnoll.[25]
Temporary People and solo EPs (2008–2009)
In 2008, Arthur released four EPs in a four-month span:
Arthur recorded a cover of The Afghan Whigs's "Step into the Light" from their 1996 album Black Love for the tribute album, Summer's Kiss: A Tribute to The Afghan Whigs. Following UK tour dates with The Lonely Astronauts in July, Arthur embarked on a solo tour of France in October 2009.[33] A reissue of his 2006 album Nuclear Daydream with six previously unreleased bonus tracks was released during this tour.[34]
Fistful of Mercy, The Graduation Ceremony, Redemption City, and RNDM (2010–2012)
Arthur, Ben Harper, and Dhani Harrison formed the supergroup trio Fistful of Mercy in 2010, and their debut album As I Call You Down was released on October 5, 2010.[35] Arthur's first solo studio album since Nuclear Daydream, titled The Graduation Ceremony, was released on May 23, 2011.[36][37]
In 2012, Arthur released a double album, Redemption City, and collaborated with Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament in the band, RNDM.[38]
The Ballad of Boogie Christ (2013)
In 2013, Arthur began using
Lou (2014)
Following Lou Reed's death, Arthur released an album of covers of his songs.[citation needed]
Days of Surrender (2015)
Arthur's liner notes for the record are as follows: "I made this record mostly alone in my small studio in Brooklyn. Played all the instruments and sang all the songs, engineered it as well. Except for when I recorded the drums (And then Merritt Jacob lent me his expertise and enthusiasm. Nothing gets done without enthusiasm so thanks, Merritt.)"
The Family (2016)
For this release, Joseph Arthur acquired a Steinway Vertegrand piano from the early 1900s, moved it into his Red Hook, Brooklyn studio and saved it from the storm (Hurricane Sandy) by propping it up on cinderblocks, while the neighborhood flooded. He learned some of its history: the piano had been a part of the same family for a century, somewhere in Connecticut. Written entirely on that piano, The Family (Real World Records) is mostly a work of fiction and a meditation on the idea of family. The album was released June 3, 2016 to rave reviews.[40]
Arthur Buck (2018)
In June 2018, Arthur released Arthur Buck, an album recorded with R.E.M.'s guitarist Peter Buck.[41]
Come Back World (2019)
2019 saw Arthur release of full length solo album Come Back World, on his own label Moon Age Rebel - produced by Arthur and Chris Seefried. The album features backing vocals from Ben Harper, Jesse Malin, Marley Monroe, and Morgan James.[42]
"Stop the Shot"
In 2021, Arthur released "Stop the Shot", a song that includes the lyrics "So take me uptown, baby / I don't want to make a fuss / And keep your graphene oxide out of me / Baby, I don't want to rust".[43]
Visual art
Arthur has also received acclaim as a painter and designer. His artwork has appeared on the sleeves of his entire discography, notably the album covers for
He set up his personal art gallery The Museum of Modern Arthur in June 2007 as a brick and mortar location in
Live performances
Arthur's one man band live performances incorporate looping techniques and several distortion techniques. His live performances are recorded through to the last note and then burnt to CD-R. They are sold immediately to fans after the concert.
The Lonely Astronauts:
- Joseph Arthur – vocals, guitar
- Kraig Jarret Johnson – guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Jennifer "Jen" Turner – guitar, vocals
- Sibyl Buck – bass, vocals
- Greg Wieczorek – drums, vocals
Instruments and loops
Of the guitars that Joseph utilizes, his primary acoustic guitar is an Irish Lowden 012C.[50] Some of Joseph's other guitars include a Garrison G-50-CE, a custom-painted Godin Kingpin CWII, a Gibson ES-335, and a 1970s Fender Strat. As of 2019, Joseph is pictured in video clips playing a custom painted Fender Acoustasonic.
To incorporate his looping techniques, Arthur uses various rack-mounted units of the
Podcast: Come to Where I'm From
In 2019 Joseph Arthur launched a podcast entitled, Come to Where I'm From, named after his 2000 release. The podcast was produced by Ehud Lazin who also appears on the podcast. The podcast was hosted by Joseph Arthur and was recorded in the East Village, New York City.
The show was a long-form interview/conversation format discussing the creative process, health and fitness, psychology, diet, current events, spirituality, poetry, rock n roll, and Art. Many of the topics were personal, where Arthur talks candidly about his experiences with Drugs,
The final episode (#130) was posted in July 2021.
Personal life
Arthur identifies as
Arthur first commented publicly on his beliefs related to COVID-19 in April 2020 and his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine. His manager, booking agent, and record label severed their associations with Arthur in 2021. New West Records also declined to release an album he recorded with Peter Buck.[43] Arthur released "Stop the Shot", a song which repeats the lyric "We will overcome/what those fools have done" in August 2021.[52]
Discography
Studio albums
- Big City Secrets (1997)
- Come to Where I'm From (2000)
- Redemption's Son (2002)
- Our Shadows Will Remain (2004)
- Nuclear Daydream (2006)
- Let's Just Be (2007)
- Temporary People (2008)
- The Graduation Ceremony (2011)
- Redemption City (2012)
- The Ballad of Boogie Christ (2013)
- The Ballad of Boogie Christ Act II (2013)
- Lou: The Songs of Lou Reed (2014)
- Days of Surrender (2015)
- The Family (2016)
- Arthur Buck (2018)
- Come Back World (2019)
EPs
- Cut and Blind (August 1996)
- Vacancy (May 11, 1999)
- Junkyard Hearts I (February 15, 2002)
- Junkyard Hearts II (February 28, 2002)
- Junkyard Hearts III (March 15, 2002)
- Junkyard Hearts IV (March 28, 2002)
- And the Thieves Are Gone (December 7, 2004)
- Could We Survive (March 18, 2008)
- Crazy Rain (April 15, 2008)
- Vagabond Skies (June 10, 2008)
- Foreign Girls (July 8, 2008)
Soundtracks
Film
- Hell's Kitchen (1998) ("Invisible Hands", "Lost Gypsy Weapon", "Eyes on My Back", "Pictures of Life", "Cinderella Under Glass", "Big City Secret", "Good About Me", "Crying Like a Man", "Porcupine")
- Shrek 2 (2004) ("You're So True")
- Bone Collector(1999) ("Bed of Nails")
- Shallow Hal (2001) ("Chemical")
- Wasted (2002) ("In the Sun")
- The Bourne Identity (2002) ("In the Sun")
- American Pie 3(2003) ("Honey and the Moon")
- Saved! (2004) ("In the Sun")
Television
- Dawson's Creek (2000) ("In the Sun")
- The OC(2003) ("Honey and the Moon")
- The OC(2005) ("A Smile That Explodes")
- Scrubs (2006) ("In the Sun")
- House (2007, 2008) ("My Home is Your Head", "Could We Survive")
- True Blood (2008) ("Stumble and Pain")
- Hung (2009) ("Walk Away")
- Numb3rs(2009) ("Killer's Knife")
- Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2010) ("Father's Son")
- Conan (2011) ("Father's Son")
- The L Word ("In the Sun")
- Scorpion ("You are Free")
References
- ^ a b c d Joseph Arthur – Biography – CRACKERJACK BOX / Creative Loafing Interview, 1997 Archived June 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Crackerjackbox.altervista.org. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-87338-691-3. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
- ^ Ciminelli, Eddie. ""It's Not Like You're Getting Better": An Interview with Joseph Arthur". popmatters.com. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ Joseph Arthur biography – Archived May 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Nme.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Joseph Arthur. Lonely Astronaut Records Artists.
- Allmusic. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Joseph Arthur – AllMusic – Biography
- Allmusic. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Owen, Spencer (April 11, 2000). "Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Joseph Arthur: Come to Where I'm From". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Browne, David (April 17, 2000). "Come to Where I'm From". Ew.com. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ LONELY ASTRONAUTS – SONGOGRAPHY – "Redemption's Son" / Open Letter, 2002. Lonelyastronauts.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Phipps, Keith (January 20, 2003). "Joseph Arthur: Redemption's Son". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Allmusic. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Joseph Arthur's Official Online Shop: Holding the Void. josepharthur.com.
- ^ Tracy Chapman beefs up North American tour itinerary (article May 21, 2003) Archived April 4, 2005, at the Wayback Machine. Livedaily.com (May 21, 2003). Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Browne, David (November 12, 2004). "Our Shadows Will Remain". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Pescheck, David (July 8, 2005). "CD: Joseph Arthur, Our Shadows Will Remain". The Guardian. London. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Mims, Nick (January 20, 2005). "Joseph Arthur – Our Shadows Will Remain – Review". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ NEW THRILLS FOR REM FANS! | News | NME.COM (article November 22, 2004). Nme.Com (November 22, 2004). Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ A River Blue. A River Blue. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Joseph Arthur. A River Blue. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ – We Almost Made It. Myspace.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Joseph Arthur – NEWS ("Let's Just Be" press release, January 8, 2007) Archived April 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Josepharthur.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Tangari, Joe (May 4, 2007). "Pitchfork Media: Album Reviews: Joseph Arthur: Let's Just Be". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ "View topic - Joseph guests on Paul Hartnoll album". lonelyastronauts.com. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ^ Joseph Arthur – NEWS ('Five New Releases' press release, January 10, 2008) Archived January 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Josepharthur.com (January 10, 2008). Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Thebeijinger.com. Thebeijinger.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ South by Southwest Festivals + Conferences. 2008.sxsw.com
- ^ LONELY ASTRONAUTS – GIGOGRAPHY 2008. Lonelyastronauts.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Edwards, Mike (October 26, 2008). "Joseph Arthur and the Lonely Astronauts: Temporary People". The Times. London. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Gewolb, Matt (October 1, 2008). "Joseph Arthur & the Lonely Astronauts". Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
- ^ Joseph Arthur – Tour Dates (Fall 2008 solo tour starts November 12 in Brussels) Archived October 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Josepharthur.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ LONELY ASTRONAUTS – GIGOGRAPHY 2009. Lonelyastronauts.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Nuclear Daydream To Be Re-Released In Europe October 6 Archived September 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Josepharthur.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ "Fistful of Mercy make live debut, recorded debut to follow" by Alex Young (Consequence of Sound, August 27, 2010). Consequence.net. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ "Joseph Arthur – NEWS". March 31, 2011. Archived from the original on March 16, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ "Joseph Arthur: The Graduation Ceremont on JamBase". March 31, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ "Pearl Jam's Jeff Ament Gets RNDM With Joseph Arthur". billboard.com. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ Joseph Arthur: The Ballad of Boogie Christ on PledgeMusic. Pledgemusic.com. Retrieved on March 30, 2014.
- ^ "The Family - Joseph Arthur - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ "About". Arthur Buck. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "About". Joseph Arthur Come Back World. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c Roberts, Randall (August 10, 2021). "He was a celebrated singer-songwriter with famous fans. Then he started posting about the vaccine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Joseph Arthur – Our Shadows Will Remain (CD, Album) at Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Joseph Arthur Readies Three New Albums (article February 8, 2006). Billboard.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn >> Archive >> Joseph Arthur. Dumbonyc.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ New Joseph Arthur Video / MOMAR, August 26, 2008. Stereogum.com (August 26, 2008). Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ MOMAR Gallery. Museumofmodernarthur.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Joseph Arthur ~ Online Store – Live Shows. Josepharthur.store-08.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Acoustic Guitar Central Archived July 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Acousticguitar.com. Retrieved on April 9, 2012.
- ^ Taken from Guitar and Bass magazine, pages 76–78, October 2005.
- ^ Roberts, Randy (August 10, 2021). "He was a celebrated singer-songwriter with famous fans. Then he started posting about the vaccine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2021.