Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Encyclopedia
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (SSLYBY) is an indie pop
band from Springfield, Missouri
. Their first full-length album Broom
, independently released in 2005, received good reviews from Spin Magazine and they are now signed with Polyvinyl Record Co.
. The band's name refers to Boris Yeltsin
, the first President of Russia (1990–1999).
."
After Will and Philip's high school bands broke up (Wharf and Thinking Version, respectively), the two started playing together on Weller Street. The band has given several different explanations for the origin of their name:
. From 2002 to 2004, the group played local shows in Springfield and made a few trips to play in Columbia, Missouri. During this time they recorded demos at home and in their dorm rooms. The group's first release was a split EP with their friends Gwyn and Grace in February 2004.
In Fall 2004 the group began recording their first full length album, Broom
, at Knauer's house on Weller street. Knauer's house is featured in much of the band's art work, including pictures on various blogs, their website, the artwork for Broom, and the music video for Broom's opening track, Pangea.
Broom was released in March 2005. It was seen as an indie success, and received favorable press in Spin Magazine and internet buzz from blogs like You Ain't No Picasso and Bars and Guitars as well as a favorable review in Pitchfork.http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/22372-broom Shortly after releasing Broom, SSLYBY released a split record with Michael Holt
, formerly of the San Francisco cult band the Mommyheads
, on Catbird Records
(a label started by the blog
site Catbirdseat) in 2005.
In February 2006, the band went on their first national support tour with Catfish Haven (from the Secretly Canadian
label). While on that tour, the band met a representative from Polyvinyl Record Co.
and a booking agent. Also on the same tour, the group recorded the first session for the popular music website Daytrotter
.
On April 27, 2006 the band's song "Oregon Girl" was featured on an episode of The OC, although the band still had no record label at the time. The group signed to Polyvinyl Records in June 2006 and re-released Broom
in October 2006. Because the original version of the album was recorded by the band with their own equipment (including a Boss digital
multitrack recorder
using only Shure
SM57
and SM58
microphones), it was not professionally mastered
to the same level as most industry-standard releases. The lo-fi
sound drew many critics and listeners to the band, and the remaster keeps most of that sound intact, although the difference between the two releases is evident even to the untrained ear.
music festival in Moscow, Russia, just three months after the death of Boris Yeltsin
.
The group returned to Springfield to record their highly anticipated follow up to Broom
. Unable to record at the Weller house because of noise complaints, the band moved their home recording studio to Knauer's aunt's house in Springfield.
Pershing
was released on April 8, 2008 on Polyvinyl Records. Preorder copies of the album featured bonus material including extra songs (via download), stickers, posters, and Airheads. The album spawned three music videos: "Think I Wanna Die" directed by Grammy-nominated director Israel Anthem and featuring members of the band Eisley
, and "Modern Mystery" and "Glue Girls", both directed by Brook Linder.
Pershing received a great deal of internet buzz, similar to Broom
and tracks were favorably reviewed and featured on numerous indie music blogs. The band was named the best new band in Missouri by the Boston Phoenix and Pershing was named the best album of 2008 by the blogs It's Hard to Find A Friend, The Stark Online, and The Power Pop Show. Blender Magazine ranked "Dead Right" as one of the top 200 songs of 2008.
Also in 2008: the group released a split EP with the Liverpool band Puzzle, licensed their song "Anne Elephant" to a Mastercard "Priceless" commercial, and made their network television performance debut on the Carson Daly Show.
In 2009 SSLYBY recorded a song for their hometown minor league baseball team, the Springfield Cardinals
.
of Death Cab for Cutie
and Beau Sorenson. Recording was done at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin in September 2009, at Walla's Portland studio in fall 2009, and in Springfield, MO in early 2010. Smart Studios mixed the album during February 2010, with mastering completed by SAE Digital Mastering Services on April 13, 2010. There are 12 tracks for a total length of 41:14. May 2010, Polyvinyl and the band confirmed the album would be called Let it Sway, and it was officially released on August 17, 2010.
Following the release of Let It Sway, SSLYBY appeared on the cover of CMJ magazine. The album reached #10 on CMJ's college radio charts and the band was pictured in the September 30 issue of Rolling Stone.
On October 22, 2010, NME.com debuted the music video for "Sink/Let It Sway" directed by Brook Linder. The band and Linder would pair up again in early 2011 to make a video for "Critical Drain", which premiered on MTV
.com.
On December 17, 2010 the band announced it was going on a US tour with Tokyo Police Club
and Two Door Cinema Club
in January and February 2011.
The band's latest album, Tape Club, a collection of b-sides and rarities, was released on October 18, 2011.
Interviews
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
band from Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
. Their first full-length album Broom
Broom (album)
Broom is a full-length album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released in the United States in 2005.-Track listing:# "Pangea" – 2:48# "I Am Warm & Powerful" – 2:39# "What'll We Do" – 2:16# "Travel Song" – 3:21...
, independently released in 2005, received good reviews from Spin Magazine and they are now signed with Polyvinyl Record Co.
Polyvinyl Record Co.
Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
. The band's name refers to Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...
, the first President of Russia (1990–1999).
Early Years (pre-2002)
Will Knauer and Philip Dickey were high school friends. Phil and Will were in different bands that both "tried to sound like NirvanaNirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
."
After Will and Philip's high school bands broke up (Wharf and Thinking Version, respectively), the two started playing together on Weller Street. The band has given several different explanations for the origin of their name:
I thought of it in high school right after Boris Yeltsin resigned. I saw an NBC news story about his wife.
Honestly, I can’t remember what I was thinking. We just thought it would be a good idea to have a really long band name.
Will's brother had to write a paper about Russian history and the name of the paper was Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.
Broom (2002-2006)
Phil and John Robert Cardwell met in 2002 during their freshman year of college and started writing together; many of their early collaborations ended up on BroomBroom (album)
Broom is a full-length album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released in the United States in 2005.-Track listing:# "Pangea" – 2:48# "I Am Warm & Powerful" – 2:39# "What'll We Do" – 2:16# "Travel Song" – 3:21...
. From 2002 to 2004, the group played local shows in Springfield and made a few trips to play in Columbia, Missouri. During this time they recorded demos at home and in their dorm rooms. The group's first release was a split EP with their friends Gwyn and Grace in February 2004.
In Fall 2004 the group began recording their first full length album, Broom
Broom (album)
Broom is a full-length album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released in the United States in 2005.-Track listing:# "Pangea" – 2:48# "I Am Warm & Powerful" – 2:39# "What'll We Do" – 2:16# "Travel Song" – 3:21...
, at Knauer's house on Weller street. Knauer's house is featured in much of the band's art work, including pictures on various blogs, their website, the artwork for Broom, and the music video for Broom's opening track, Pangea.
Broom was released in March 2005. It was seen as an indie success, and received favorable press in Spin Magazine and internet buzz from blogs like You Ain't No Picasso and Bars and Guitars as well as a favorable review in Pitchfork.http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/22372-broom Shortly after releasing Broom, SSLYBY released a split record with Michael Holt
Michael Holt (musician)
Michael Holt is a musician who lives in Toronto, Canada. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1968, and raised in New York City, where he learned to play the piano as a child...
, formerly of the San Francisco cult band the Mommyheads
Mommyheads
The Mommyheads are an American indie pop band who played from around 1987 through 1998, disbanded for a decade, and then reformed in 2008. Starting in New York City as the brainchild of singer Adam Cohen , the band produced a string of quirky and highly inventive releases on...
, on Catbird Records
Catbird Records
Catbird Records is an independent record label, formed in September 2005, in Columbus, Ohio. It is now based out of New York City. It was founded and is run by Ryan Catbird of music blog The Catbirdseat...
(a label started by the blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
site Catbirdseat) in 2005.
In February 2006, the band went on their first national support tour with Catfish Haven (from the Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
label). While on that tour, the band met a representative from Polyvinyl Record Co.
Polyvinyl Record Co.
Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
and a booking agent. Also on the same tour, the group recorded the first session for the popular music website Daytrotter
Daytrotter
Daytrotter is a website for the recording studio Horseshack, which hosts recording sessions with many popular and typically upcoming indie music acts, although it works with local bands in the Illinois area as well. The sessions can be compared to that of a radio station's lounge recordings, where...
.
On April 27, 2006 the band's song "Oregon Girl" was featured on an episode of The OC, although the band still had no record label at the time. The group signed to Polyvinyl Records in June 2006 and re-released Broom
Broom (album)
Broom is a full-length album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released in the United States in 2005.-Track listing:# "Pangea" – 2:48# "I Am Warm & Powerful" – 2:39# "What'll We Do" – 2:16# "Travel Song" – 3:21...
in October 2006. Because the original version of the album was recorded by the band with their own equipment (including a Boss digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
multitrack recorder
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
using only Shure
Shure
Shure Incorporated is an American corporation originally founded by Sidney N. Shure in Chicago, Illinois in 1925 as a supplier of radio parts kits. The company became a consumer and professional audio-electronics manufacturer of microphones, wireless microphone systems, phonograph cartridges,...
SM57
SM57
The Shure SM57 is a low impedance unidirectional dynamic microphone made by Shure Incorporated and commonly used in live sound reinforcement and studio recording. It is one of the best-selling microphones in the world; used extensively in amplified music and by every U.S. president since its...
and SM58
SM58
The Shure SM58 is a professional cardioid dynamic microphone, commonly used in live vocal applications. Produced since 1966 by Shure Incorporated, it has built an enviable reputation among musicians for its robust construction and technical performance, and is considered the industry standard for...
microphones), it was not professionally mastered
Audio mastering
Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
to the same level as most industry-standard releases. The lo-fi
Lo-fi music
Lo-fi is lower quality of sound recordings than the usual standard for music. The qualities of lo-fi are usually achieved by either degrading the quality of the recorded audio, or using certain equipment. Recent uses of the phrase have led to it becoming a genre, although it still remains as an...
sound drew many critics and listeners to the band, and the remaster keeps most of that sound intact, although the difference between the two releases is evident even to the untrained ear.
Pershing, Russian tour, and TV performances (2007-2009)
In July 2007, SSLYBY performed at the Afisha PicnicAfisha Picnic
The Afisha Picnic is a one-day outdoor festival held in Moscow, Russia every summer. It takes place on the territory of Kolomenskoye, a former tsar’s estate, now a state-owned historical, architectural and nature reserve museum, located only 10 km south-east of the city center...
music festival in Moscow, Russia, just three months after the death of Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...
.
The group returned to Springfield to record their highly anticipated follow up to Broom
Broom (album)
Broom is a full-length album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released in the United States in 2005.-Track listing:# "Pangea" – 2:48# "I Am Warm & Powerful" – 2:39# "What'll We Do" – 2:16# "Travel Song" – 3:21...
. Unable to record at the Weller house because of noise complaints, the band moved their home recording studio to Knauer's aunt's house in Springfield.
Pershing
Pershing (album)
Pershing is the second full length studio album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released through Polyvinyl Records on April 8, 2008. The anticipated followup to the group's acclaimed debut, Broom, Pershing is a Polyvinyl Record Co...
was released on April 8, 2008 on Polyvinyl Records. Preorder copies of the album featured bonus material including extra songs (via download), stickers, posters, and Airheads. The album spawned three music videos: "Think I Wanna Die" directed by Grammy-nominated director Israel Anthem and featuring members of the band Eisley
Eisley
Eisley is a rock band from Tyler, Texas, consisting of four siblings and their cousin , all of whom were born and live in Texas. Although the band's name translates to ice island in several Germanic languages, it was actually selected by the bandmates because of its link to the Star Wars saga...
, and "Modern Mystery" and "Glue Girls", both directed by Brook Linder.
Pershing received a great deal of internet buzz, similar to Broom
Broom (album)
Broom is a full-length album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released in the United States in 2005.-Track listing:# "Pangea" – 2:48# "I Am Warm & Powerful" – 2:39# "What'll We Do" – 2:16# "Travel Song" – 3:21...
and tracks were favorably reviewed and featured on numerous indie music blogs. The band was named the best new band in Missouri by the Boston Phoenix and Pershing was named the best album of 2008 by the blogs It's Hard to Find A Friend, The Stark Online, and The Power Pop Show. Blender Magazine ranked "Dead Right" as one of the top 200 songs of 2008.
Also in 2008: the group released a split EP with the Liverpool band Puzzle, licensed their song "Anne Elephant" to a Mastercard "Priceless" commercial, and made their network television performance debut on the Carson Daly Show.
In 2009 SSLYBY recorded a song for their hometown minor league baseball team, the Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
.
Let It Sway (2010-present)
Their third album under Polyvinyl was produced by Chris WallaChris Walla
Christopher Walla is an American musician and music producer, most notable for being the guitarist for the band Death Cab for Cutie. He is also a former DJ of KCWU, 88.1 The Burg...
of 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 ....
and Beau Sorenson. Recording was done at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin in September 2009, at Walla's Portland studio in fall 2009, and in Springfield, MO in early 2010. Smart Studios mixed the album during February 2010, with mastering completed by SAE Digital Mastering Services on April 13, 2010. There are 12 tracks for a total length of 41:14. May 2010, Polyvinyl and the band confirmed the album would be called Let it Sway, and it was officially released on August 17, 2010.
Following the release of Let It Sway, SSLYBY appeared on the cover of CMJ magazine. The album reached #10 on CMJ's college radio charts and the band was pictured in the September 30 issue of Rolling Stone.
On October 22, 2010, NME.com debuted the music video for "Sink/Let It Sway" directed by Brook Linder. The band and Linder would pair up again in early 2011 to make a video for "Critical Drain", which premiered on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
.com.
On December 17, 2010 the band announced it was going on a US tour with Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club is an indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It consists of vocalist and bassist David Monks , keyboardist Graham Wright, guitarist Josh Hook , and drummer Greg Alsop ....
and Two Door Cinema Club
Two Door Cinema Club
Two Door Cinema Club are an indie rock band from Bangor and Donaghadee, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed in 2007, the band is composed of band members: Sam Halliday , Alex Trimble and Kevin Baird...
in January and February 2011.
The band's latest album, Tape Club, a collection of b-sides and rarities, was released on October 18, 2011.
Members
- Philip Dickey - vocals, drums, guitar, songwriting
- Will Knauer - lead guitar, songwriting
- John Robert Cardwell - vocals, guitar, bass, drums, songwriting
- Jonathan James - bass, drums, backing vocals
Studio albums
- 2005 BroomBroom (album)Broom is a full-length album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released in the United States in 2005.-Track listing:# "Pangea" – 2:48# "I Am Warm & Powerful" – 2:39# "What'll We Do" – 2:16# "Travel Song" – 3:21...
(Generic Equivalent) - 2006 Broom (remastered)Broom (album)Broom is a full-length album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released in the United States in 2005.-Track listing:# "Pangea" – 2:48# "I Am Warm & Powerful" – 2:39# "What'll We Do" – 2:16# "Travel Song" – 3:21...
(Polyvinyl Record Co.) - 2008 PershingPershing (album)Pershing is the second full length studio album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released through Polyvinyl Records on April 8, 2008. The anticipated followup to the group's acclaimed debut, Broom, Pershing is a Polyvinyl Record Co...
(Polyvinyl Record Co.) - 2010 Let It SwayLet It SwayLet It Sway is the third full length studio album from indie pop/rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It was released through Polyvinyl Records on August 17, 2010.-Track listing:# "Back In The Saddle " – 4:28# "Sink/Let It Sway" – 3:05...
(Polyvinyl Record Co.)
Other releases
- 2004 Split CD Vol. 6 (with Gwyn and Grace) - Sew, Sew, Suck Your Toe (Generic Equivalent)
- 2004 Two People... Probably Talking About Me EP / Gwyn and Grace EP (Generic Equivalent)
- 2005 Someone Still Loves You Michael Holt (Catbird Records / CBR 001)
- 2006 'Haircuts' split cd w/Nathaniel Carroll (Things That Are True)
- 2006 Broom (re-released on Polyvinyl Records)
- 2007 Not Worth FightingNot Worth FightingNot Worth Fighting is an EP written and recorded by Springfield, Missouri indie rock band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin....
Single (Polyvinyl Records / PRC-134) - 2007 Pangea single (Polyvinyl Records)
- 2008 Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin/Puzzle (Polyvinyl Records)
- 2010 'Back To You' for Fast Forward World Cup Compilation (Indiecater Records)
- 2011 Tape Club (Polyvinyl Records)
Other projects
- Winter's BoneWinter's BoneWinter's Bone is a 2010 American independent drama film, an adaptation of Daniel Woodrell's 2006 novel of the same name. The film was written and directed by Debra Granik and stars Jennifer Lawrence...
soundtrack (Jonathan James recorded and mixed several songs) - Yawn
- The Current Group
- mrPunch
- Wharf
- Sweetwater Abilene
- The New Monsters Collective
- MC Migraine Head
- Top Dawgz
External links
- Official Website
- SSLYBY Youtube channel
- Music video for Pangea
- last.fm
- Pitchfork Review: Broom
- Aversion Review: Broom
- 2006 Daytrotter Session (Free Songs)
- 2008 Daytrotter Session (Free Songs)
Interviews