Jonathan Segel
Encyclopedia
Jonathan SegelJonathan Segel (b. September 3, 1963 in Marseilles, France
) is an American composer
and multi-instrumentalist. He has played with Camper Van Beethoven
, Sparklehorse
, Eugene Chadbourne
, and Dieselhed
.
and Tucson, Arizona
. Jonathan went to college at the University of California, Santa Cruz
where he studied under Peter Elsea and experimental music pioneer Gordon Mumma
. In Santa Cruz he hooked up with Camper Van Beethoven
, apparently for life. He moved to San Francisco in 1989, where he worked with many bands including his own Hieronymus Firebrain and Jack & Jill, moved to Los Angeles in 1997 to work for Dane Davis at Danetracks, a film sound post production facility, then back to Oakland, California
in 2001, where received a master's degree
in music composition at Mills College
, studying with Fred Frith
, Pauline Oliveros
, Alvin Curran
and Joelle Leandre
. He is the son of Irwin H. Segel, a Professor of Biochemistry
at University of California, Davis
and author of Biochemical Calculations.
Today he performs improvising acoustic/digital solo (or with others as Chaos Butterfly), in a revived Camper Van Beethoven and as a rock and roll bandleader
in his eponymous band.
Segel has been an occasional contributor to music from the Big City Orchestra
over the past few decades.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) is an American composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and multi-instrumentalist. He has played with Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
, Sparklehorse
Sparklehorse
Sparklehorse was an American indie rock band led by the singer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous.-History:Sparklehorse's first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot featuring Bob Rupe of the Silos and Cracker, was a modest college radio success...
, Eugene Chadbourne
Eugene Chadbourne
Eugene Chadbourne is an American improvisor, guitarist and banjoist. Highly eclectic and unconventional, Chadbourne's most formative influence is free jazz. He has also been a reviewer for Allmusic and a contributor to Maximum RocknRoll.Chadbourne started out playing rock and roll guitar, but...
, and Dieselhed
Dieselhed
Dieselhed was a San Francisco-based band, originally from Arcata, California.-Early career:Dieselhed formed in 1989 in the San Francisco Bay Area playing a blend of country, punk, and pseudo-classic rock. Drummer Heifetz spread his time between Dieselhed and the genre-bending experimentalists Mr....
.
Biography
Segel grow up in Davis, CaliforniaDavis, California
Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
. Jonathan went to college at the University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university; one of ten campuses in the University of California...
where he studied under Peter Elsea and experimental music pioneer Gordon Mumma
Gordon Mumma
Gordon Mumma is an American composer. He cofounded Ann Arbor's Cooperative Studio for Electronic Music with Robert Ashley, was a musician with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and was a member of the Sonic Arts Union with Ashley, Alvin Lucier, and David Behrman...
. In Santa Cruz he hooked up with Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
, apparently for life. He moved to San Francisco in 1989, where he worked with many bands including his own Hieronymus Firebrain and Jack & Jill, moved to Los Angeles in 1997 to work for Dane Davis at Danetracks, a film sound post production facility, then back to Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
in 2001, where received a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in music composition at Mills College
Mills College
Mills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...
, studying with Fred Frith
Fred Frith
Fred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
, Pauline Oliveros
Pauline Oliveros
Pauline Oliveros is an American accordionist and composer who is a central figure in the development of post-war electronic art music....
, Alvin Curran
Alvin Curran
Composer Alvin Curran , is the co-founder, with Frederic Rzewski and Richard Teitelbaum, of Musica Elettronica Viva, and a former student of Elliott Carter. Curran's music often makes use of electronics and environmental found sounds....
and Joelle Leandre
Joëlle Léandre
Joëlle Léandre is a double bassist, vocalist, and composer active in new music and free improvisation....
. He is the son of Irwin H. Segel, a Professor of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
at University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public teaching and research university established in 1905 and located in Davis, California, USA. Spanning over , the campus is the largest within the University of California system and third largest by enrollment...
and author of Biochemical Calculations.
Today he performs improvising acoustic/digital solo (or with others as Chaos Butterfly), in a revived Camper Van Beethoven and as a rock and roll bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
in his eponymous band.
Segel has been an occasional contributor to music from the Big City Orchestra
Big City Orchestra
Big City Orchestra is a long running art/anti-art group based generally in California. They have an ever rotating cast of musician and nonmusician members...
over the past few decades.
Discography
A comprehensive Segel Discography can be found here and there on the Magnetic Records site.Solo, as Hieronymus Firebrain or Jack & Jill
Playing guitar, singing.- Storytelling (1988)
- Acoustic Music Project benefit for Open Hand (1990)
- Hieronymus Firebrain "Hieronymus Firebrain" (1991)
- Dr. Firebrain's Plane Crash Tape, Vol.1 (1993)
- Hieronymus Firebrain "There" (1994)
- Hieronymus Firebrain "Here" (1994)
- Pushing the Norton -- the Ace Cafe Compilation(1994)
- Jack & Jill "Chill and Shrill" (1995)
- Jack & Jill "Fancy Birdhouse" (1997)
- Scissors and Paper (2000)
- Edgy Not Antsy (2003)
- Honey (2007)
With Camper Van Beethoven
Playing violin, guitar, keyboards, singing.- Telephone Free Landslide VictoryTelephone Free Landslide VictoryTelephone Free Landslide Victory is a 1985 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Independent Projects. It featured the band's best known song, "Take the Skinheads Bowling".-About:...
(1985) - II & IIIII & IIIII & III is a 1986 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-a-Tent and Rough Trade. It was the band's second album.After releasing their debut album, original drummer Anthony Guess left the band, and guitarist Greg Lisher joined...
(1986) - Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven (album)Camper Van Beethoven is a 1986 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-A-Tent. With the six then CVB members joined in the studio by acid-folk eccentric Eugene Chadbourne, the album is arguably the zenith of the band's musical experimentation, with surreal lyrics, backwards,...
(1986) - Our Beloved Revolutionary SweetheartOur Beloved Revolutionary SweetheartOur Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart is a 1988 album by Camper Van Beethoven, released on Virgin Records. It was the band's first major-label album, and was produced by Dennis Herring, the first time the band had used an outside producer....
(1988) - Vampire Can Mating OvenVampire Can Mating OvenVampire Can Mating Oven is an EP released in 1987 by the alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven. The EP includes satirical liner notes relating false stories behind the songs...
(1987) - The Virgin Years (1993) (by Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker)
- Camper VantiquitiesCamper VantiquitiesCamper Vantiquities is a 1993 rarities compilation album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on I.R.S. It included the earlier EP Vampire Can Mating Oven and a number of other unreleased tracks, compiled by bassist Victor Krummenacher a few years after the band split up...
(1993) Rarities Compilation - Camper Van Beethoven Is Dead. Long Live Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven Is Dead. Long Live Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven Is Dead. Long Live Camper Van Beethoven is a 2000 rarities compilation album by Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-A-Tent Records. This album stands as the first product of the members of CVB beginning to collaborate again...
(2000) Rarities Compilation - Cigarettes & Carrot Juice: The Santa Cruz Years (2002) Box Set. Includes Telephone Free Landslide VictoryTelephone Free Landslide VictoryTelephone Free Landslide Victory is a 1985 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Independent Projects. It featured the band's best known song, "Take the Skinheads Bowling".-About:...
, II & IIIII & IIIII & III is a 1986 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-a-Tent and Rough Trade. It was the band's second album.After releasing their debut album, original drummer Anthony Guess left the band, and guitarist Greg Lisher joined...
, Camper Van BeethovenCamper Van Beethoven (album)Camper Van Beethoven is a 1986 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-A-Tent. With the six then CVB members joined in the studio by acid-folk eccentric Eugene Chadbourne, the album is arguably the zenith of the band's musical experimentation, with surreal lyrics, backwards,...
, Camper VantiquitiesCamper VantiquitiesCamper Vantiquities is a 1993 rarities compilation album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on I.R.S. It included the earlier EP Vampire Can Mating Oven and a number of other unreleased tracks, compiled by bassist Victor Krummenacher a few years after the band split up...
, & Greatest Hits Played Faster, a bonus live disc. - Tusk (2002)
- New Roman TimesNew Roman TimesNew Roman Times is an album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released October 12, 2004 on Pitch-A-Tent Records. It is the band's first studio album of new material since they released Key Lime Pie in 1989 before dissolving in 1990....
(2004) - In the Mouth of the Crocodile - Live in SeattleIn the Mouth of the Crocodile - Live in SeattleIn The Mouth of the Crocodile - Live In Seattle is a 2004 live album by Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-A-Tent Records. It captures a performance by the group at the Crocodile Cafe, February 16, 2004.-Track listing:...
(2004) Live Album - Discotheque CVB: Live In ChicagoDiscotheque CVB: Live In ChicagoDiscotheque CVB: Live In Chicago is a 2004 live album by Camper Van Beethoven recorded at Metro Chicago on October 29, 2004. A selection of other tracks from this concert was released as an Internet-only download entitled Seven Hillbilly Punk Ska Classics.-Track listing:#"Eye of Fatima "#"Eye of...
(2005) Live Album - Look at All the Love We FoundLook at All the Love We FoundLook at All the Love We Found is a tribute album by various artists dedicated to Sublime, released on June 21, 2005 . The title comes from a lyric in the song "S.T.P." on Sublime's Robbin' the Hood album.-Track listing:...
(2005) Sublime Tribute
With Eugene Chadbourne
Playing violin, mandolin, slide guitar, keyboards, toys...- Camper Van Chadbourne (1987)
- Eddie Chatterbox Double Trio Love Album (1988)
- Eugene Van Beethoven's 69th Sin-Funny (1991)
- Used Record Pile (1999)
- Revenge of Camper Van Chadbourne (1999)
- PsyCHADelidoowop (2001)
With Chaos Butterfly
- Live at Studio Fabriken, Gothenburg, SE - with Biggi Vinkeloe (2005)
- threelivingthings (2005)
- Radio (2005)
Electronic/electro-acoustic Projects
- Non-Linear Accelerator (2003)
- Rauk (2005)
- Amnesia/Glass Box (2005)
- Summerleaf (2006)
- Underwater Tigers (2007)
Improvisations
- Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
/Joelle LeandreJoëlle LéandreJoëlle Léandre is a double bassist, vocalist, and composer active in new music and free improvisation....
/Jonathan Segel "Tempted to Smile" (2003) - Jonathan Segel/Shoko Hikage "Gen" (2003)
- various artists/Jon Raskin + Myles Boisen "Music + One" (2006)
Other Projects
Playing violin, guitar.- "A Love Restrained" by Granfaloon Bus (1992)
- "Dieselhed" by DieselhedDieselhedDieselhed was a San Francisco-based band, originally from Arcata, California.-Early career:Dieselhed formed in 1989 in the San Francisco Bay Area playing a blend of country, punk, and pseudo-classic rock. Drummer Heifetz spread his time between Dieselhed and the genre-bending experimentalists Mr....
(1994) - Dent "Stimmung" (1995)
- "BaltimorePearlCrescentWhiteAdmiralSisterMeadowPaintedGodWillVisitYou" by the Lords of Howling (1997)
- Dent "Verstärker" (1998)
- "The Way You Shine" by The Shimmers (2006)
- "Stimoceiver" by The Artichoke Project (2008) with John KruthJohn KruthJohn Kruth is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist best known for his highly energetic “Banshee Mandolin” style of playing. He is also proficient on guitar, banjo, harmonica and various flutes. Kruth is also a music journalist and author....
- "Toast" by the Electric Chairmen (John Kruth) (1996)
- "MoonDog Girl" by the Noodle Shop (John Kruth, Elliott SharpElliott SharpElliott Sharp is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, and performer.A central figure in the avant-garde and experimental music scene in New York City since the late 1970s, Sharp has released over eighty-five recordings ranging from blues, jazz, and orchestral music to noise, no wave rock,...
, Atilla EnginAtilla EnginAtilla Engin is a Turkish American fusion jazz musician. From 1974 to 2001 he was active in Denmark as a musician and educator; he organized music festivals and represented Denmark as a musical ambassador...
and Jonathan Segel) (1999) - ""Splitsville" by John Kruth" (2008) with Clyde Wrenn
- "The Container" by the Container (1998)
- Clyde Wrenn "Long Day's Journey into Night" (1999)
- Clyde Wrenn "The Blue Cliff Record" (2001)
Also Appears On
- Yo "Once in a Blue Moon" (1986)
- Frontier Wives "Rockinghorse Violins" (1987)
- Spot 1019Spot 1019Spot 1019 is a "little rock combo" hailing from San Francisco, California. The four-piece band specializes in rock tinged with country, blues and punk and had three releases on Frontier Records in the late 1980s, none of which achieved widespread popularity...
"This World Owes me a Buzz" (1987) - Young Fresh FellowsYoung Fresh FellowsThe Young Fresh Fellows are an American alternative rock group that was formed in 1981 in Seattle, Washington, by Scott McCaughey and Chuck Carroll; Tad Hutchison, Chuck Carroll's first cousin, joined for the recording of the group's debut album in 1983....
"the Men Who Loved Music" (1987) - Walkabouts "Cataract" (1988)
- Overwhelming Colorfast "Overwhelming Colorfast" (1991)
- Big City OrchestraBig City OrchestraBig City Orchestra is a long running art/anti-art group based generally in California. They have an ever rotating cast of musician and nonmusician members...
"Greatest Hits and Test Tones" (1998) + various other BCO releases - Loud Family "Days for Days" (1998)
- Magnet "Sharkbait" (1999)
- SparklehorseSparklehorseSparklehorse was an American indie rock band led by the singer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous.-History:Sparklehorse's first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot featuring Bob Rupe of the Silos and Cracker, was a modest college radio success...
"Distorted Ghost" (1999) - Alison Faith Levy "My World View" (2000)
- Victor KrummenacherVictor KrummenacherVictor Krummenacher is an American musician and bass guitarist who is a founding member of alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven. He also helped form CVB offshoots Monks of Doom and Camper Van Chadbourne and has pursued a solo career as a singer-songwriter...
"Bittersweet" (2000) - Mike Levy "Fireflies" (2000)
- ld beghtol and the New Criticism "Tragic Realism" (2006)
- Mossyrock "I know I'm Not Wrong EP" (2007)
- Victor KrummenacherVictor KrummenacherVictor Krummenacher is an American musician and bass guitarist who is a founding member of alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven. He also helped form CVB offshoots Monks of Doom and Camper Van Chadbourne and has pursued a solo career as a singer-songwriter...
"Patriarch's Blues" (2008)
Film Soundtracks
- The Invisibles directed by Noah Stern (1999)
- Bunny directed by Mia Trachinger (2000)
- Kickin' Chicken directed by Joy Phillips (2001)
- 100% Human Hair directed by Ann Kaneko (2001)
- Love Will Travel directed by Teddi Bennett (2002)
- Bill's Run directed by Richard Kassebaum (2004)
External links
- Magnetic Motorworks is Segel's Official Site, the site of his own record label, Magnetic, and the official site of some of his associates and collaborators.
- Jonathan Segel collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - [ AllMusic] guide information
- Material Press, publisher of scores