Spencer McGarry Season
Encyclopedia
Spencer McGarry Season is a project by songwriter Spencer McGarry to record and perform 6 albums in 6 different styles. The project was borne from both a wealth of material and indecision over what musical direction to take. Spencer decided to present his songs in the familiar format of a television series/DVD box set with albums titled Episode(s) 1-6, which he believed would surmount the problem of many disparate ideas.
In late 2005, Spencer formed a 3-piece rock band composed of drummer Avvon Chambers (who he had met in a previous band The Room Orchestra) and Stephen Black (aka Sweet Baboo) who he had met through the band JT Mouse. They self released a single (Leader of the Chain Gang) in May 2006 which led to the group playing the BBC’s inaugural Electric Proms
later that year and collaborating with the BBC’s concert orchestral on new music (which would be used as rough recordings for Episode 2).
In 2007 the band appeared on the compilation ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The 22 Of Us’ (Twisted By Design) which also featured Los Campesinos!
and Sweet Baboo. Earlier that year Spencer, Stephen Black and friends formed the label Businessman Records, with the initial limited edition release of the vinyl-only A Title Sparks Would Have Used single in September. The band spent the next year touring and recording, producing a free download-only single A Paler Shade of Wit the following September, compared favourably by The Guardian
to “…Television
covering ‘Like a Virgin’”.
The self-produced début album Episode 1 was released through Businessman Records at the end of 2008, with a national release in early 2009 along with the single "The Heat Was Hot".
). The album is said to be a mix of musicals, baroque pop and minimalist composition and features a 14-piece band of multi instrumentalists including additional singers Becky Wood and Sophie Cochrane and cellist Beth Gibson (who also play as the group Barefoot Dance Of The Sea), along with Katy Rowe (violin), Dan McGinn (Trumpet), Tina Hitchens (Flute) who is a co-founder of modern classical ensemble Cardiff New Music Collective, Avvon Chambers (drums) and Stephen Black (Bass). The album is expected to be released in early 2010.
Episode 2 has been received favourably by music journalists and critics alike. They have been featured as the Guardian Newspaper's Band of the Day http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/apr/13/spencer-mcgarry-season-new-band, and were cited as BBC Introducing's Tip of the Week http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/introducing/2010/04/tip_of_the_week_spencer_mcgarr.shtml.
song "Dear Brutus" on the album Blue Hands.
Spencer plays drums on the Sweet Baboo album Hello Wave.
The song The Unfilmable Life and Life of Terry Gilliam
from the Episode 1 album can be heard several times in the motion picture Colin
.
Episode 1 Era
The first album grouped Spencer’s simpler songs that took influence from a basic rock palette using only drums, bass and guitar and elementary arrangements.In late 2005, Spencer formed a 3-piece rock band composed of drummer Avvon Chambers (who he had met in a previous band The Room Orchestra) and Stephen Black (aka Sweet Baboo) who he had met through the band JT Mouse. They self released a single (Leader of the Chain Gang) in May 2006 which led to the group playing the BBC’s inaugural Electric Proms
BBC Electric Proms
The BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms was an October music festival in London run by the BBC for five years, 2006-2010...
later that year and collaborating with the BBC’s concert orchestral on new music (which would be used as rough recordings for Episode 2).
In 2007 the band appeared on the compilation ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The 22 Of Us’ (Twisted By Design) which also featured Los Campesinos!
Los Campesinos!
Los Campesinos! are a seven piece indie pop band from Cardiff, Wales, formed in early 2006 at Cardiff University. Although the band formed in Wales, none of its members are Welsh. They released their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster..., in February 2008 and followed this up by releasing a record...
and Sweet Baboo. Earlier that year Spencer, Stephen Black and friends formed the label Businessman Records, with the initial limited edition release of the vinyl-only A Title Sparks Would Have Used single in September. The band spent the next year touring and recording, producing a free download-only single A Paler Shade of Wit the following September, compared favourably by The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
to “…Television
Television (band)
Television was an American rock band, formed in New York City in 1973. They are best known for the album Marquee Moon and widely regarded as one of the founders of "punk" and New Wave music. Television was part of the early 1970s New York underground rock scene, along with bands like the Patti...
covering ‘Like a Virgin’”.
The self-produced début album Episode 1 was released through Businessman Records at the end of 2008, with a national release in early 2009 along with the single "The Heat Was Hot".
Episode 2 Era
Spencer began recording Episode 2 in January 2009 with producer Charlie Francis (High Llamas, R.E.M.R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
). The album is said to be a mix of musicals, baroque pop and minimalist composition and features a 14-piece band of multi instrumentalists including additional singers Becky Wood and Sophie Cochrane and cellist Beth Gibson (who also play as the group Barefoot Dance Of The Sea), along with Katy Rowe (violin), Dan McGinn (Trumpet), Tina Hitchens (Flute) who is a co-founder of modern classical ensemble Cardiff New Music Collective, Avvon Chambers (drums) and Stephen Black (Bass). The album is expected to be released in early 2010.
Episode 2 has been received favourably by music journalists and critics alike. They have been featured as the Guardian Newspaper's Band of the Day http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/apr/13/spencer-mcgarry-season-new-band, and were cited as BBC Introducing's Tip of the Week http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/introducing/2010/04/tip_of_the_week_spencer_mcgarr.shtml.
Other appearances
Spencer contributed vocals to the Hot PuppiesHot Puppies
The Hot Puppies are a Welsh band from Aberystwyth, now based in Cardiff, previously signed to Fierce Panda Records. They are:* Becky Wood - vocals* Beth Gibson - vocals/keyboards/theremin/cello* Luke "Dangerman" Taylor - guitar/vocals...
song "Dear Brutus" on the album Blue Hands.
Spencer plays drums on the Sweet Baboo album Hello Wave.
The song The Unfilmable Life and Life of Terry Gilliam
Terry Gilliam
Terrence Vance "Terry" Gilliam is an American-born British screenwriter, film director, animator, actor and member of the Monty Python comedy troupe. Gilliam is also known for directing several films, including Brazil , The Adventures of Baron Munchausen , The Fisher King , and 12 Monkeys...
from the Episode 1 album can be heard several times in the motion picture Colin
Colin (film)
Colin is a 2008 English zombie film which, after a successful run in a number of film festivals, went on to be shown at Cannes in 2009. Applauded for its success despite its low budget, the total cost of production was reportedly £45...
.