Mary Timony
Encyclopedia
Mary B. Timony is an American independent
singer-songwriter
, guitarist, keyboardist, and violist
. She was a member of the bands Helium
and Autoclave
, and currently plays in Wild Flag
.
in Washington, D.C., where she played guitar in the jazz band and also studied viola
.
In 1990-91 Timony played guitar and shared lead vocals in the Washington, D.C.-based all-female band Autoclave
. She later relocated to Boston
, where she graduated from Boston University
with a degree in English literature and formed the band Helium
in the summer of 1992, recording two albums and three EPs with the group between 1994 and 1997. Helium disbanded in 1998, whereupon Timony embarked on her solo career, recording albums in 2000 and 2002 (Mountains and The Golden Dove).
In the mid 2000s, Timony moved back to D.C. In 2005, Timony joined with drummer Devin Ocampo; her album Ex Hex, released on the Lookout! Records
label, features the two performing together as a duo. In the same year, she contributed vocals to Team Sleep
's self-titled album on the tracks "Tomb of Liegia" and "King Diamond."
Her most recent album, The Shapes We Make, was released on the Kill Rock Stars
label on May 8, 2007. A music video
for "Sharp Shooter" was produced by the art collective Paper Rad
.
In early 2009, Mary Timony formed a new band, Pow Wow, with Jonah R. Takagi and Winston H. Yu. As of June 2009 the group added T. J. Lipple and changed its name to Soft Power.
In September 2010, Mary Timony and members of Sleater-Kinney
, The Minders
, and Quasi
announced that they were working on a new album under the moniker Wild Flag
. It was released on Merge Records
on September 13, 2011.
Timony's music is often heavy and dark, frequently using drones, beats, and modal
melodies reminiscent of European Medieval music
. She uses a number of alternate guitar tunings, most prominent of which is DADGAE, which allows for the execution of melodic passages.
Her brother, Patrick Timony, is the keyboard player for the band The Picture is Dead
.
There is a reference to Mary Timony in the lyrics to the song "Your Bruise" by the American indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie
, from their 1998 debut album Something About Airplanes
.
of the band Sleater-Kinney
, in a duo called The Spells. In 2000, she recorded a six-song CD with Anna Johansson and Erin Maclean, entitled Green 4.
In 1995, Timony recorded the song "All Dressed Up In Dreams" with Stephen Merritt, on The 6ths
album Wasps' Nests. She also recorded vocals for a one-off alt-country project called Lincoln '65. This project's sole output was a 7" single released by Slow River Records in 1996, labeled simply Lincoln '65, and contained two tracks, "Dreams" and "Jellyfish".
Timony collaborated with Team Sleep
on Tomb of Liegia and King Diamond on their 2005 self-titled album.
All Over Me as lead singer/guitarist of the fictional girl rock band Coochie Pop, along with another real-life singer/guitarist, Leisha Hailey
. They performed the Helium song "Hole in the Ground" in the movie.
Combined CD of 10" and 7" originally released 1991
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, guitarist, keyboardist, and violist
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
. She was a member of the bands Helium
Helium (band)
Helium was an American alternative rock band formed in the summer of 1992. Originally calling themselves "Chupa", its founding members were Mary Lou Lord, Jason Hatfield , Shawn King Devlin and Brian Dunton...
and Autoclave
Autoclave (band)
Autoclave was a post-punk band, based in Washington, D.C.. They were on local label Dischord Records. Formed in the summer of 1990, the group consisted of vocalist and bassist Christina Billotte, lead guitarist Mary Timony, guitarist Nikki Chapman, and drummer Melissa Berkoff.The group broke up in...
, and currently plays in Wild Flag
Wild Flag
Wild Flag is an American four-piece group based in Portland, Oregon and Washington, D.C.. The group consists of Carrie Brownstein , Mary Timony , Rebecca Cole and Janet Weiss...
.
Biography
Timony attended the Duke Ellington School of the ArtsDuke Ellington School of the Arts
The Duke Ellington School of the Arts is a high school located at 35th Street and R Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C., and dedicated to arts education. One of the high schools of the District of Columbia Public School system, it is named for the American jazz bandleader and composer Edward...
in Washington, D.C., where she played guitar in the jazz band and also studied viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
.
In 1990-91 Timony played guitar and shared lead vocals in the Washington, D.C.-based all-female band Autoclave
Autoclave (band)
Autoclave was a post-punk band, based in Washington, D.C.. They were on local label Dischord Records. Formed in the summer of 1990, the group consisted of vocalist and bassist Christina Billotte, lead guitarist Mary Timony, guitarist Nikki Chapman, and drummer Melissa Berkoff.The group broke up in...
. She later relocated to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, where she graduated from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
with a degree in English literature and formed the band Helium
Helium (band)
Helium was an American alternative rock band formed in the summer of 1992. Originally calling themselves "Chupa", its founding members were Mary Lou Lord, Jason Hatfield , Shawn King Devlin and Brian Dunton...
in the summer of 1992, recording two albums and three EPs with the group between 1994 and 1997. Helium disbanded in 1998, whereupon Timony embarked on her solo career, recording albums in 2000 and 2002 (Mountains and The Golden Dove).
In the mid 2000s, Timony moved back to D.C. In 2005, Timony joined with drummer Devin Ocampo; her album Ex Hex, released on the Lookout! Records
Lookout! Records
-History:Larry Livermore and David Hayes formed the label in 1987. From the start, Lookout released punk rock records, but over time expanded its scope to include various types of pop rock, reggae fusion, acoustic rock, pop punk, and indie rock...
label, features the two performing together as a duo. In the same year, she contributed vocals to Team Sleep
Team Sleep
Team Sleep is an American experimental alternative rock group led by singer/guitarist Chino Moreno, better known for fronting the Sacramento-based band Deftones....
's self-titled album on the tracks "Tomb of Liegia" and "King Diamond."
Her most recent album, The Shapes We Make, was released on the Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
label on May 8, 2007. A music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Sharp Shooter" was produced by the art collective Paper Rad
Paper Rad
Paper Rad is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania/Providence, Rhode Island art collective that makes comics, zines, video art, net art, MIDI files, paintings, installations, and are in a variety of bands...
.
In early 2009, Mary Timony formed a new band, Pow Wow, with Jonah R. Takagi and Winston H. Yu. As of June 2009 the group added T. J. Lipple and changed its name to Soft Power.
In September 2010, Mary Timony and members of Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney was an alternative rock band from Portland, Oregon that formed in 1994. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off ramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a...
, The Minders
The Minders
The Minders is a band closely associated with The Elephant Six Collective. Started by Martyn Leaper in Denver, Colorado in 1996, the band's original members included Leaper on guitars and vocals, Rebecca Cole on drums, Jeff Almond on guitar, and Marc Willhite on bass.Leaper formed the Minders in...
, and Quasi
Quasi
Quasi is an American indie rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1993 by ex-husband and wife Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss . Since 2007 the group has been a trio, following the addition of bassist Joanna Bolme.-History:In 1990 , Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat...
announced that they were working on a new album under the moniker Wild Flag
Wild Flag
Wild Flag is an American four-piece group based in Portland, Oregon and Washington, D.C.. The group consists of Carrie Brownstein , Mary Timony , Rebecca Cole and Janet Weiss...
. It was released on Merge Records
Merge Records
Merge Records is an independent record label based in Durham, North Carolina. It was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan. It began as a way to release music from their band Superchunk and music created by friends, and has expanded to include artists from around the world and records...
on September 13, 2011.
Timony's music is often heavy and dark, frequently using drones, beats, and modal
Musical mode
In the theory of Western music since the ninth century, mode generally refers to a type of scale. This usage, still the most common in recent years, reflects a tradition dating to the middle ages, itself inspired by the theory of ancient Greek music.The word encompasses several additional...
melodies reminiscent of European Medieval music
Medieval music
Medieval music is Western music written during the Middle Ages. This era begins with the fall of the Roman Empire and ends sometime in the early fifteenth century...
. She uses a number of alternate guitar tunings, most prominent of which is DADGAE, which allows for the execution of melodic passages.
Her brother, Patrick Timony, is the keyboard player for the band The Picture is Dead
The Picture is Dead
The Picture is Dead is an indie rock band from Washington D.C. The band consists of Bryan Cornell , Sam Serafy , Patrick Timony , and James Wolf . Darryl Dardenne once played with the band, but as of June 2006, is not part of the lineup. They have opened for Bardo Pond, Mary Timony Band, and...
.
There is a reference to Mary Timony in the lyrics to the song "Your Bruise" by the American indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
, from their 1998 debut album Something About Airplanes
Something about Airplanes
Something About Airplanes is the debut studio album by indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie, released August 18, 1998 on Barsuk Records. A remastered anniversary version of the album was released on November 25, 2008....
.
Side projects
In addition to her work with Autoclave, Helium, and the Mary Timony Band, Timony has occasionally collaborated or recorded with other groups. In 1999, Timony recorded a four-song vinyl EP with Carrie BrownsteinCarrie Brownstein
Carrie Rachel Brownstein , is an American musician, writer, and actress, best known as a guitarist and vocalist in the now-defunct Portland, Oregon-based band Sleater-Kinney...
of the band Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney was an alternative rock band from Portland, Oregon that formed in 1994. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off ramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a...
, in a duo called The Spells. In 2000, she recorded a six-song CD with Anna Johansson and Erin Maclean, entitled Green 4.
In 1995, Timony recorded the song "All Dressed Up In Dreams" with Stephen Merritt, on The 6ths
The 6ths
The 6ths is a band created by Stephin Merritt, also the prime mover behind The Magnetic Fields, The Gothic Archies and Future Bible Heroes.One story has it that the band was conceived when Merritt, observing that there was no tribute album dedicated to him, decided to make one himself...
album Wasps' Nests. She also recorded vocals for a one-off alt-country project called Lincoln '65. This project's sole output was a 7" single released by Slow River Records in 1996, labeled simply Lincoln '65, and contained two tracks, "Dreams" and "Jellyfish".
Timony collaborated with Team Sleep
Team Sleep
Team Sleep is an American experimental alternative rock group led by singer/guitarist Chino Moreno, better known for fronting the Sacramento-based band Deftones....
on Tomb of Liegia and King Diamond on their 2005 self-titled album.
Films
Timony had a role in the 1997 independent filmIndependent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
All Over Me as lead singer/guitarist of the fictional girl rock band Coochie Pop, along with another real-life singer/guitarist, Leisha Hailey
Leisha Hailey
Leisha Hailey is an American actress and musician most widely known for playing Alice Pieszecki in the Showtime Networks production The L Word...
. They performed the Helium song "Hole in the Ground" in the movie.
Mary Timony
- Ex HexEx HexEx Hex was the third solo album from Mary Timony. It was released April 19, 2005 on Lookout! Records.-Track listing:# On the Floor# Friend to J.C.# Silence# In the Grass# Return to Pirates# Hard Times are Hard# 9x3# W.O.W.# Moon Song# Harmony...
2005
-
- Lookout! RecordsLookout! Records-History:Larry Livermore and David Hayes formed the label in 1987. From the start, Lookout released punk rock records, but over time expanded its scope to include various types of pop rock, reggae fusion, acoustic rock, pop punk, and indie rock...
- The Golden DoveThe Golden DoveThe Golden Dove was the second solo album from Mary Timony. It was released May 21, 2002 on Matador Records.-Track listing:# Look a Ghost in the Eye# The Mirror# Blood Tree# Dr. Cat# The Owl's Escape# Musik and Charming Melodee# 14 Horses...
2002
- The Golden Dove
- Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- MountainsMountains (Mary Timony album)Mountains was the first solo album from Mary Timony. It was released March 7, 2000 on Matador Records.-Track listing:# Dungeon Dance# Poison Moon# I Fire Myself# The Bell# Painted Horses# The Hour Glass# 13 Bees# The Golden Fruit...
2000
- Mountains
- Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- Lookout! Records
The Spells
- The Age of Backwards E.P.The Age of Backwards E.P.The Age of Backwards E.P. was the only release by the short-lived band The Spells, a collaboration between Carrie Brownstein and Mary Timony.-Track listing:# "The Age of Backwards"# "Octaves Apart"# "Number One Fan"# "Can't Explain [The Who]"...
1999
-
- International Pop Underground (K RecordsK RecordsK Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
)
- International Pop Underground (K Records
Mind Science of the Mind
- Mind Science of the Mind 1996
-
- Epic RecordsEpic RecordsEpic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
- Epic Records
Helium
- The Magic CityThe Magic City (Helium album)The Magic City was the final album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released September 9th, 1997 on Matador Records.-Track listing:#"Vibrations" - 2:46#"Leon's Space Song" - 2:59#"Ocean of Wine" - 4:04#"Aging Astronauts" - 3:08...
1997
-
- Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- No Guitars E.P.No GuitarsNo Guitars was an EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released April 8, 1997 on Matador Records. The title is ironic, as the EP features plenty of guitar-playing.-Track listing:# "Silver Strings"# "Dragon #2"...
1997
- No Guitars E.P.
- Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- Superball+ E.P.Superball E.P.Superball+ was an EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released September 12, 1995 on Matador Records-Track listing:# "Superball"# "What Institution Are You From?"# "Lucky Charm"# "#12 l'Enfant"# "I Am a Witch"-Personnel:...
1995
- Superball+ E.P.
- Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- The Dirt of LuckThe Dirt of LuckThe Dirt of Luck was the first full length album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released in April 1995 on Matador Records and was produced by Adam Lasus -Track listing:...
1995
- The Dirt of Luck
- Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- Pirate PrudePirate PrudePirate Prude was the debut EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released April 5, 1994 on Matador Records. Its subject matter concerns prostitution.-Track listing:# "Baby Vampire Made Me" - 5:50# "Wanna Be a Vampire Too, Baby" - 2:23...
(EP) 1994
- Pirate Prude
- Matador RecordsMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
- Matador Records
Autoclave
- AutoclaveAutoclave (album)Autoclave is the debut and only album from the American indie rock band Autoclave. It was released by Dischord Records in 1991. The album was remastered at and reissued in 2002 by Dischord and Mira Records .-Track listing:#"Go Far" - 3:04#"I'll Take You Down" - 3:48#"It's Not Real Life" - 1:56#"Dr...
2002
Combined CD of 10" and 7" originally released 1991
-
- Dischord RecordsDischord RecordsDischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label specializing in the independent punk music of the D.C.-area music scene. The label is co-owned by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, who founded Dischord in 1980 to release Minor Disturbance by The Teen Idles...
- Dischord Records
External links
Interviews
- Mary Timony interview from Ink 19 (April 2003)
- Mary Timony interview by Jenny Tatone, from Kitty Magik site
- Lazy-i Interview: May 2005