Wikipedia

Ray LaMontagne

Raymond Charles Jack LaMontagne(/ˌlɑːmɒnˈteɪn/;born June 18, 1973) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. LaMontagne has released nine studio albums:Trouble,Till the Sun Turns Black,Gossip in the Grain,God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise,Supernova,Ouroboros,Part of the Light,Monovision,andLong Way Home.He was born inNew Hampshireand was inspired to create music after hearing an album byStephen Stills.Critics have compared LaMontagne's music to that ofOtis Redding,Ryan Adams,Beck,Pink Floyd,The Band,Van Morrison,Nick DrakeandTim Buckley.

Ray LaMontagne
LaMontagne at Prospect Park, Jul 12, 2006
LaMontagne atProspect Park,Jul 12, 2006
Background information
Birth nameRaymond Charles Jack LaMontagne
Born(1973-06-18)June 18, 1973(age 51)
Nashua, New Hampshire,U.S.
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • harmonica
LabelsRCA
Websiteraylamontagne

Early life

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LaMontagne was born inNashua, New Hampshire,in 1973, one of six children raised by his single mother. In his early teens he lived inMorgan, Utah,and was more interested in drawing images ofDungeons & Dragonsthan in his school work.[1]After graduating from high school, LaMontagne moved toLewiston, Maine,and found work in a shoe factory.[2]LaMontagne also spent a significant amount of time inWilton, Maine.[3]Other sources state that by his teen years he was living in Maine, spending time inTurnerandBuckfield.[4]

Career

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1999–2005:Trouble

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LaMontagne was inspired to quit his job and begin a career as a singer-songwriter after waking up one morning to the radio on his alarm clock playing theStephen Stills' song "Treetop Flyer".[5][6][7][8]LaMontagne began performing in 1999 while maintaining a part-time job as a tutor.[6]In the summer of 1999 he recorded 10 songs for a demo album that was sent to various local music venues including Maine'sOddfellow Theater,where he was hired as an opening act forJohn GorkaandJonathan Edwards.

A business executive named Ron Clayton discovered LaMontagne at a musical festival in Maine[citation needed]and introduced him toChrysalis Music Publishingand in 2004 LaMontagne recorded the albumTroublewith producerEthan Johnsand sold it toRCA Recordsin the US andEcho Recordsin the UK.[9]The album featured performances bySara WatkinsandJennifer Stills,daughter ofStephen Stills.[10]The album sold over 250,000 copies in the US and 500,000 worldwide.[2][11][12]During a 2005 tour, LaMontagne appeared on thePBSmusic programAustin City Limits(season 31, episode 4).[13]

AnEPof LaMontagne's performance at theBonnaroo Music Festivalwas released in 2005 and his song "All the Wild Horses" was part of the soundtrack for the TV seriesRescue Me[14]and the 2009 filmThe Boys Are Back.His song "Trouble" appeared in the TV seriesAliasas well as in a national television commercial for Travelers Insurance,[15]and his song "Jolene" was heard in the credits of the 2010 filmThe Town.His song "Hold You in My Arms" was featured in the 2006 movieShe's The Man.[16]

In 2005, he performed at two charity events, a New York City fundraiser for the victims ofHurricane Katrinaand theWarren HaynesChristmas Jam.[17][18]

2006:Till The Sun Turns Black

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LaMontagne performing in Dublin, January 2007

LaMontagne's second album,Till the Sun Turns Black,was released in August 2006 and featured horn and string sections on several of the songs withRachael Yamagataproviding additional vocals on the song "Barfly". The album peaked at No. 28 on theBillboard200album chart, selling 28,000 copies in its first week of release.[19]The album spawned the single "Three More Days". In 2006 LaMontagne performed onThe Tonight Show.[citation needed]

The song "Till the Sun Turns Black" was featured on the television showER,[20]and the songs "Lesson Learned" and "Within You" appeared onthe CWdramaOne Tree Hill.His song "Be Here Now" was heard on the trailer for the movieAway From Her,in the film27 Dresses,on the TV showsBones,Covert Affairs,New Amsterdam,andBrothers & Sisters.[citation needed]LaMontagne performed atKYSR's Lounge for Life charity concert on October 5, 2006, at theHouse of BluesinWest Hollywood, California.He also auctioned off one of his guitars oneBayfor its charity auction. Funds raised from the concert and auction went to breast cancer research.

2008–2009:Gossip in The Grain

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LaMontagne released his third studio album,Gossip in the Grain,on RCA Records in 2008. It debuted at No. 3 on theBillboardchartswith 60,000 units sold. Working again with producerEthan Johns,the album featured LaMontagne's touring band ofJennifer Condoson bass,Eric Heywoodon guitar, andEthan Johnson drums and guest vocals from singer-songwriterLeona Naess.[21][22]

LaMontagne atThe Sage Gatesheadin 2009

The song "You Are the Best Thing" was featured in the movieI Love You, Manand in the television seriesOne Tree Hill.LaMontagne performed onSaturday Night Livein March 2009.[23]The songs "Sarah" and "I Still Care For You" appeared on the television seriesHouse.His song "Let It Be Me" was featured on the television seriesParenthoodand was included on theParenthoodsoundtrackin 2010. It was also used in an episode entitled "JJ" from the sixth season ofCriminal Mindsand in the seventh episode from season one ofFringetitledIn Which We Meet Mr. Jones.

2010–2011:God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise

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LaMontagne's self-produced studio album,God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise,was released in August 2010.[24]In December 2010, LaMontagne receivedGrammynominations and won the award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.[25]

In August 2010, he performed at aNashville, Tennessee,charity event to raise money for victims of a local flood.[26]The song, "Empty", appeared on an episode ofLaw & Order: Criminal Intentin 2010 and was heard during the film credits for the movieThe Conspirator.It also appeared in Tony Kaye's filmDetachmentin 2011, released in the US in 2012. LaMontagne performed on the programLive from Abbey Roadin October 2006.[citation needed]The New England native was featured onVH1 Storytellersin 2011.

In 2011 LaMontagne sang a duet with Irish singerLisa Hannigan,"O Sleep", which was featured on herChoice MusicAward-nominated albumPassenger.

2014–2015:Supernova

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In April 2014 LaMontagne released his fifth album,Supernova.[27]The album reached No. 2 on iTunes in the first several hours of its release.[28]The album then went to number one on theBillboardTop Rock Albums chart.[29]It was produced byDan Auerbachof the Black Keys and recorded at his Nashville studio. The title track was made available for download onITunesandGoogle Play Musicon February 25, 2014.[30]On October 9, 2014, LaMontagne spoke and performed at theGrammy Museum[31]

Supernovagarnered generally positive reception from music critics. AtMetacritic,which assigns a "weighted average" score to selected independent ratings and reviews, the album has eight reviews and a Metascore of 78, meaning that it received "generally favorable" reviews.[citation needed]AtRolling Stone,Will Hermesrated the album three and a half stars out of five, stating, "Predictably, [Dan] Auerbach [as producer] helps the singer pull bright colors from the Sixties' crayon box; less predictably, he makes it seem a perfectly logical progression of LaMontagne's 10-plus years of cozy vibes."[citation needed]Thom Jurek ofAllMusicrated the album three and a half stars out of five, writing that "Supernovais unapologetically and indulgently retro; a casual listen might dismiss it as mere nostalgia "; however, the" pairing [of] Auerbach's detailed, careful production with LaMontagne's open, expertly crafted songwriting and breezy, sensual, emotionally unburdened singing, that boundary is shattered. "[9]AtThe Guardian,Dave Simpson rated the album four stars out of five, remarking, "There's nothing here that's exactly new, but by assembling an array of unexpected influences in one blissful place, LaMontagne has crafted an unlikely perfect summer soundtrack."[citation needed]

On July 23, 2014, during a show at theMeijer GardensinGrand Rapids,Michigan, LaMontagne interrupted a song and walked off stage as a result of two fans talking during his concert, after having previously asked the audience to quiet down. The incident included yelling profanity at the couple before walking off stage. Once the couple was escorted away, LaMontagne continued the concert.[32][33]

AtThe A.V. Club,Chris Mincher graded the album a B+, saying, "Supernovais a surprisingly bold, enterprising follow-up from an artist who could have easily ridden out the rest of his career on adult-alternative autopilot. "[34]

In May 2015, NBC'sThe VoicecontestantSawyer Fredericksperformed "Please", a song written by LaMontagne early in his career and included on his self-released albumIntroducing Ray Lamontagne.The song immediately became the number two single on the iTunes chart, and Fredericks was declared the winner of the competition that same month.[citation needed]

2016–2018:Ouroboros

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LaMontagne released his sixth studio album,Ouroboros,in March 2016. The album was produced byJim JamesofMy Morning Jacket.LaMontagne stated thatOuroboroswas written as a single arc, rather than a "batch of songs" and that it was intended forvinyl.[35]He cited theTalk TalkalbumSpirit of Edenas stylistically similar to his vision of an unstructured, free-flowing album.[35]

Ouroborosreceived favorable reviews from critics, scoring an 80 fromMetacriticbased on 10 reviews. Many critics noted the album's psychedelic qualities, comparing it toPink Floyd'sThe Dark Side of the Moon.[36][37]

On September 20, 2016, LaMontagne announced that he was canceling a September 22 show at theBass Concert Hallat theUniversity of Texas at Austin,due to Texas's recently implementedcampus carrylaw.[38]

2018:Part of the Light

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LaMontagne released his seventh studio album,Part of the Light,on May 18, 2018. The album is produced solely by LaMontagne. The first single released from the LP was "Such a Simple Thing', where those who purchased the album on LaMontagne's website received a stream of the live version of the track. LaMontagne commenced his" Part of the Light Tour "which kicked off May 27 at thePacific Northwest Sasquatch Music Festival.[39]

2020:Monovision

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LaMontagne released his eighth studio album,Monovision,on RCA Records in 2020.[40]

2024:Long Way Home

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LaMontagne released his ninth studio album,Long Way Home,on August 16, 2024.[41]

Style

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LaMontagne has a unique vocal style which he says is created by singing through his gut instead of through his nose.[42]He citesStephen Stills,Richard Manuel,andRick Dankoas strong musical influences, while critics have compared LaMontagne's music to that ofThe Band,Van Morrison,Nick Drake,andTim Buckley.[43][failed verification][44] ARolling Stonereview of his albumSupernovareferred to his voice as an "impeccably weathered tenor croon" and his phrasing as "marble-mouthed."[45]

Awards

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Main article:List of awards and nominations received by Ray LaMontagne

For his debut album, LaMontagne won four awards, including threeBoston Music Awards(Best Male Singer-Songwriter, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year) and an XM Nation Music Award for Acoustic Rock Artist of the Year. LaMontagne has received a nomination from the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards for Best New Touring Artist, theBRIT Awardsfor International Breakthrough Act, theMOJO Awardsfor Best New Act, and was given the title of Best Voice in 2006 byEsquire.

In 2011, Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs received twoGrammy Awardnominations, and they were awarded the Grammy for theBest Contemporary Folk AlbumforGod Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise.

Personal life

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In 2009, LaMontagne paid $1.05 million for a 103-acre farm inAshfield, Massachusetts,the former residence of U.S. AmbassadorWilliam C. Bullitt,where he lives with his wife, Sarah Sousa, and their two children in the farmhouse built in 1830.[46] Sousa is a published poet via Red Mountain Press and their sons are budding artists.[47]LaMontagne refers to himself as a "very private person" and rarely gives interviews.[48][49]

Discography

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Main article:Ray LaMontagne discography

Studio albums

References

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  1. ^Martin, Gavin (September 2004). "Ray LaMontagne: Troubled Soul and Backwaters Blues from Camerga-Shy Maine Man".UNCUT.
  2. ^ab"Ray LaMontagne: Looking for trouble".The Independent.May 1, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon December 5, 2008.
  3. ^Burnham, Emily (January 6, 2012)."The famous faces of Maine".Bangor Daily News.RetrievedJanuary 27,2015.
  4. ^"Ray LaMontagne: Man of Maine, or not?".Mainetoday.May 22, 2014.RetrievedJune 27,2020.
  5. ^"RAY LAMONTAGNE: Centered by Solitude".American Songwriter.September 2006.
  6. ^abWilliamson, Nigel (September 2004). "Old School, New Class".The Times.
  7. ^"One to Watch: Ray LaMontagne".The Fly.September 2004.
  8. ^"Q&A Ray LaMontagne". SoundSpike. June 2011.
  9. ^ab"Ray LaMontagne: Biography".AllMusic.
  10. ^SeeTroublealbum liner notes.
  11. ^"TheBillboard200 ".Billboard.September 17, 2005.
  12. ^"Ray Lamontagne Profile".Archived fromthe originalon September 2, 2006.Last accessed October 15, 2006
  13. ^"Austin City Limits – Ray LaMontagne".Austin City Limits. Archived fromthe originalon November 20, 2010.RetrievedOctober 26,2010.
  14. ^"Music from Rescue Me S2E12".Tunefind.RetrievedJune 27,2020.
  15. ^"Travelers Insurance dog commercial (very funny)".YouTube. February 5, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on November 11, 2021.RetrievedApril 22,2020.
  16. ^"Internet Movie Database – The Town".IMDB.RetrievedDecember 22,2010.
  17. ^"From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans".Fromthebigappletothebigeasy.Last accessed October 15, 2006
  18. ^"Warren Haynes Presents: The X-Mas Jam".Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2010.Last accessed October 15, 2005
  19. ^"Dylan Earns First No. 1 Album Since 1976".Billboard.Last accessed October 9, 2006
  20. ^"RCA Records Official website".Last accessed October 10, 2006
  21. ^Hasty, Katie (June 3, 2008).Ray LaMontagne Works Against The 'Grain'Billboard.Retrieved on June 4, 2008.
  22. ^"Ray LaMontagne Tour Dates".Idiomag. February 1, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon July 20, 2009.RetrievedFebruary 5,2009.
  23. ^"Ray LaMontagne Letterman Appearance".YouTube.RetrievedAugust 16,2009.
  24. ^"Ray LaMontagne".Columbia Records UK. Archived fromthe originalon June 13, 2011.RetrievedOctober 26,2010.
  25. ^Light, Alan (April 30, 2014)."In Ray LaMontagne's 'Supernova,' Hints of the '60s".The New York Times.RetrievedAugust 14,2014.
  26. ^"David Gray and Ray Lamontagne Concert | Nashville on the Move of Benchmark Realty".Nashville on the Move of Benchmark Realty.August 12, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 31,2018.
  27. ^Andrew HamppRay LaMontagne Goes 'Supernova': The Folk Singer Talks New AlbumBillboard,May 2, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  28. ^Ray LaMontagne Goes 'Supernova': The Folk Singer Talks New AlbumBillboard,May 2, 2014
  29. ^Emily WhiteRay LaMontagne's 'Supernova' Shines At No. 1 On Top Rock Albums ChartBillboard,May 8, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014
  30. ^"Ray LaMontagne Taps Black Keys' Dan Auerbach for May 8 'Supernova' - DC Music News Feed - Direct Current".Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 14,2014.
  31. ^"News".Ray LaMontagne. September 16, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2018.RetrievedOctober 14,2014.
  32. ^Serba, John (July 23, 2014)."Ray LaMontagne storms off Meijer Gardens stage".Michigan Live.
  33. ^Kaczmarczyk, Jeffrey (July 24, 2014)."Ray LaMontagne's profane past".Michigan Live.
  34. ^Mincher, Chris (April 29, 2014)."Ray LaMontagne melds his folky formula with throwback psych-rock".The A.V. Club.RetrievedApril 29,2014.
  35. ^abRay LaMontagne On World CafeNPR,April 5, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  36. ^Ray Lamontagne: Ouroboros ReviewPaste Magazine,March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  37. ^Ray LaMontagne gets psychedelic on new album, ‘Ouroboros’Boston Globe,March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  38. ^Tolbert, Patrick (September 20, 2016)."Ray LaMontagne cancels Austin show due to gun laws".KXAN.RetrievedSeptember 20,2016.
  39. ^Smith, Jay (March 2, 2018)."Ray LaMontagne Brings 'Part Of The Light' To Summer".Pollstar.RetrievedMarch 28,2018.
  40. ^Khan, Andy."Ray LaMontagne Announces New Album 'Monovision' & Shares Single".JamBase.RetrievedMay 29,2020.
  41. ^Siroky, Mary (May 30, 2024)."Ray LaMontagne Announces New Album, 2024 Tour Dates".Consequence.RetrievedSeptember 17,2024.
  42. ^Davies, Lucy (2004)."Ray Lamontagne Trouble Review".BBC.
  43. ^Jurek, Thom."Ray LaMontagne: Till the Sun Turns Black (review)".Allmusic.
  44. ^Hoard, Chris (August 21, 2006)."Ray LaMontagne: Till the Sun Turns Black (review)".Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2007.
  45. ^Hermes, Will (April 29, 2014)."Supernova (review)".Rollingstone.Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 3,2016.
  46. ^Vallette, David A. (January 26, 2009)."Vacant Ashfield farmhouse sold to songwriter Ray LaMontagne for more than $1 million".The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts).RetrievedMarch 3,2016.
  47. ^"Ray LaMontagne, Gossip in the Grain, Exclaim.ca interview".Archived fromthe originalon December 29, 2008.
  48. ^Hull, McKayla (June 2, 2018)."Shedding Little 'Light:' The very private Ray LaMontagne finds touring difficult".Entertainer Magazine.Phoenix AZ.RetrievedSeptember 9,2020.
  49. ^Huxley, Phill (March 5, 2005)."Ray LaMontagne @ Rescue Rooms 03/03/05".BBC.
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