Sean Careyis an American musician fromLake Geneva, Wisconsin,best known as the drummer and supporting vocalist ofindie folkbandBon Iver.In August 2010, Carey released his first solo album,All We Grow,which he began working on in 2008 during hiatuses from performing with the band.[1]
Sean Carey | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sean Carey |
| Origin | Lake Geneva,Wisconsin |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Jagjaguwar |
| Website | scarey |
Comparisons have been drawn between Carey's harmonies and those ofBrian Wilsonin his 2004 albumSmile.[2]His music has also been likened to that ofSufjan Stevens,Fleet Foxes,Iron & Wine,José González,Steve Reich,andTalk Talk.[2][3][4]
Background
editSean Carey grew up inLake Geneva, Wisconsin.As the child of a singer and a music teacher, Carey has been immersed in music his entire life.[5]He was raised listening toJames Taylor,The Beach Boys,andBruce Hornsby.At the age of ten he learned to play the drums and developed a deep love of jazz percussion after hearing his oldest sister perform in the middle school jazz band.[5][6]
In 2007, Carey graduated from theUniversity of Wisconsin–Eau Clairewith a performance degree in classical percussion.[1][7]That same year, upon hearing through mutual friends thatJustin Vernonwas planning on forming a band (Bon Iver), Carey listened toFor Emma, Forever AgoonMySpaceuntil he had learned all the songs. Said Carey:
They weren’t just good songs, they were great, interesting, unique; it’s a beautiful album. So I spent two weeks holed up in my bedroom with laptop, headphones and notebook, and I wrote down all the drum parts and learned all the lyrics, melodies and harmonies. When the band I was in opened for Justin at his first local show as Bon Iver, I told him I knew all his songs and I wanted to play with him.[7]
After singing a few songs backstage, Vernon and Carey realized how good their voices sounded together. Vernon asked Carey to play the show with him that night, and officially signed him to the band later that same evening.[6][7]
Solo career and debut album
editCarey's solo career came about semi-accidentally. After each month-long stint of touring withBon Iver,Carey would return toEau Clairefor three weeks. During his time at home, Carey would record songs and experiment with layering sounds together.[1][5]
I didn't start out thinking I was going to write an album. I had a couple song ideas, and it just went from there. I recorded a few songs, and as time went on I got further into those songs and recorded more layers, then I had friends come over and record stuff I couldn't play, and by that time I had come up with more songs until finally I just had this full length thing.[5]
Carey recorded most of the music onAll We Growby himself with few exceptions. Jeremy Boettcher (bass), Nick Ball (guitar), andBon Iverbandmate Mike Noyce (viola) played a large percentage of the music that Carey could not. Sean's sister Shannon Carey provided background vocals on two tracks, and Aaron Hedenstrom and Chris Thompson provided miscellaneous musical support.[8]
The song "In the Dirt" appears in the last scene of the episode"The Dig"from theSeason 7of the TV seriesHouse M.D.[9]and also in the last scene of the episode "What Went Wrong" from season 3 of the TV seriesThe Good Wife.
Carey produced and appears onOwen's ninth albumThe King of Whys.[10]
Tour
editFrom September 8 to October 3, 2010, S. Carey toured North America with Swedishfolksinger Kristian Matsson, otherwise known asThe Tallest Man on Earth.During that time, the group performed fourteen times inVancouver,Seattle,California,Arizona,Texas,Toronto,Montreal,New York City,Pennsylvania,andWashington DC.[11]When asked what it was like touring with Matsson, Carey responded:
He is honestly one of the greatest performers in the world right now. He is captivating. His guitar playing, singing, his songs, lyrics — they’re all amazing. We are so honored to be on this tour.[6]
S. Carey performed at CMJ 2010, and was considered "the most buzzed-about act of the day."[12]He spent a great deal of the summer of 2011 opening forDavid Bazanbefore joining theBon Ivertour as band director and one of two drummers.
Discography
edit- All We Grow(2010)
- Hoyas EP(2012)
- Range of Light(2014)
- Supermoon EP(2015)
- Hundred Acres(2018)
- Break Me Open(2022)
- Shadowlands(2023)
References
edit- ^abc"First Listen: S. Carey, 'All We Grow'".NPR.August 15, 2010.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^ab"Album: S. Carey, All We Grow (Jagjaguwar)".The Independent.August 27, 2010.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^"JAG181 S. Carey - All We Grow".Jagjaguwar.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^"S. Carey: All We Grow - Music Review".Slant.August 18, 2010.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^abcd"S. Carey Grows to New Heights with Debut LP".The Observer.September 18, 2010.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^abc"S. Carey Q&A".Live Buzz. September 19, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon December 10, 2010.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^abc"Once upon a good winter, forever ago".University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.2009. Archived fromthe originalon March 31, 2012.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^"Reviews - S Carey".The Quietus.August 27, 2010.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^[1]ArchivedMarch 8, 2012, at theWayback Machine
- ^"Viking's Choice: Owen 'Lost'".NPR Music.May 25, 2016.
- ^"Tallest Man on Earth Books Fall Tour".Pitchfork Media.July 7, 2010.RetrievedOctober 4,2010.
- ^[2]ArchivedOctober 28, 2010, at theWayback Machine