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Roommate (band)
Encyclopedia
Roommate is a band from Chicago, IL.
and started recording music in his apartment. In 2001, he relocated to Chicago
and self-released the Celebs EP. In 2004, Roommate re-emerged as a live band. Work on the full-length Songs the Animals Taught Us began soon thereafter, and the album was self-released in the summer of 2005. A wide release on the Plug Research label followed in the spring of 2006 and was supported with a European tour and a few shows around the United States. Production on the New Steam EP began in late 2006 and the band recorded steadily through the completion of its second full-length album. We Were Enchanted was released in April 2008 on Plug Research and Shrug Records and supported with shows in the Netherlands and the American Midwest. For several years members of the live band changed based on availability, playing instruments such as musical saw
, banjo
, violin
, theremin
, Buchla
Music Box, and bassoon
, as well as hand percussion
and traditional rock instruments. In early 2008, however, the live band stabilized into a consistent four-piece line-up with a smaller range of instruments. Lambert is responsible for the band's lyrics and basic song structures, but all participants actively contribute to live and recorded arrangements.
Occasional and past participants include Daniel Schneider (guitar), Anton Hatwich (bass), Justin Petertil (guitar), Mercedes Landazuri (banjo, heartstrings), Evelyn Weston (musical saw), Katherine Young (bassoon), Devin Davis (drums, theremin), Amy Cimini (viola), Tim Daisy (drums), Jim Duffy (drums), Tom Comerford (guitar), Cody Hennesy (guitar, programming), and Dewayne Slightweight (bells, vocals).
During a short tour in The Netherlands in May 2008, Lambert played with Bart de Kroon (guitar, banjo, Moog), Melvin Wevers (bass) and Sebastiaan Janssen (drums) from Dutch singer Pien Feith's band.
History
Roommate began as a solo music project of Kent Lambert in 2000. He had just moved from Iowa City to BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and started recording music in his apartment. In 2001, he relocated to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and self-released the Celebs EP. In 2004, Roommate re-emerged as a live band. Work on the full-length Songs the Animals Taught Us began soon thereafter, and the album was self-released in the summer of 2005. A wide release on the Plug Research label followed in the spring of 2006 and was supported with a European tour and a few shows around the United States. Production on the New Steam EP began in late 2006 and the band recorded steadily through the completion of its second full-length album. We Were Enchanted was released in April 2008 on Plug Research and Shrug Records and supported with shows in the Netherlands and the American Midwest. For several years members of the live band changed based on availability, playing instruments such as musical saw
Musical saw
A musical saw, also called a singing saw, is the application of a hand saw as a musical instrument. The sound creates an ethereal tone, very similar to the theremin...
, banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
, Buchla
Buchla
Buchla & Associates, Inc. is a manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, notably synthesizers and unique MIDI controllers. The 200e Electric Music Box and Lightning III are currently in production.-Buchla Music Box :...
Music Box, and bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
, as well as hand percussion
Hand percussion
Hand percussion is a term used to indicate a percussion instrument of any type from any culture that is held in the hand. They can be made from wood, metal or plastic and are usually either shaken, scraped or tapped with fingers or a stick...
and traditional rock instruments. In early 2008, however, the live band stabilized into a consistent four-piece line-up with a smaller range of instruments. Lambert is responsible for the band's lyrics and basic song structures, but all participants actively contribute to live and recorded arrangements.
Members
The current lineup includes:- Kent Lambert (KeytarKeytarA keytar is a relatively lightweight keyboard that is supported by a strap around the neck and shoulders, similar to the way a guitar is supported by a strap. Keytars allow players a greater range of movement compared to conventional keyboards, which are placed on stands...
, vocals, electronics) - Luther Rochester (BuchlaBuchlaBuchla & Associates, Inc. is a manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, notably synthesizers and unique MIDI controllers. The 200e Electric Music Box and Lightning III are currently in production.-Buchla Music Box :...
Music Easel, bells, vibes, MoogMoog synthesizerMoog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
, melodicaMelodicaThe melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
) - Seth Vanek (drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
) - Gillian Lisée (bassBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
), vocals
Occasional and past participants include Daniel Schneider (guitar), Anton Hatwich (bass), Justin Petertil (guitar), Mercedes Landazuri (banjo, heartstrings), Evelyn Weston (musical saw), Katherine Young (bassoon), Devin Davis (drums, theremin), Amy Cimini (viola), Tim Daisy (drums), Jim Duffy (drums), Tom Comerford (guitar), Cody Hennesy (guitar, programming), and Dewayne Slightweight (bells, vocals).
During a short tour in The Netherlands in May 2008, Lambert played with Bart de Kroon (guitar, banjo, Moog), Melvin Wevers (bass) and Sebastiaan Janssen (drums) from Dutch singer Pien Feith's band.
Discography
- Celebs EP, CD, self-released (December 2001, re-released with modified artwork by Fresh Produce in February 2006)
- "Duyster", various artists compilation, 2 x CD, Play it Again Sam (March 2005, released for the fifth anniversary of the Belgian radio program Duyster; Roommate's "RP (Forget the metaphors)" was selected for disc one, "Duyster.Classics")
- Songs the Animals Taught Us, CD, self-released (July 2005, re-released with modified artwork by Plug ResearchPlug ResearchPlug Research is an independent record label, based in Los Angeles, California, USA.-Artists:*Damon Aaron*Adventure Time*AmmonContact*Bilal*David Thomas Broughton*Calamalka*Camping*Chessie*Daedelus*Dntel*Thomas Fehlmann*Flying Lotus*Headset...
in April 2006) - New Steam EP, Plug Research - download only (February 2007)
- New Steam EP, 10" vinyl on Shrug Records (June 2007)
- We Were Enchanted CD, Plug ResearchPlug ResearchPlug Research is an independent record label, based in Los Angeles, California, USA.-Artists:*Damon Aaron*Adventure Time*AmmonContact*Bilal*David Thomas Broughton*Calamalka*Camping*Chessie*Daedelus*Dntel*Thomas Fehlmann*Flying Lotus*Headset...
(April 2008) - We Were Enchanted vinyl LP, Shrug Records (April 2008)
- Guilty Rainbow digital/vinyl, Antephonic Records (March 2011)