The Polyphonic Spree

The Polyphonic Spree is a self-described "choral symphonic pop" group from the Dallas, Texas area.

The group was founded by Tim DeLaughter and has had from 13 to 27 members. The three original members, Tim DeLaughter, Mark Pirro and Brian Wakeland were members of the band Tripping Daisy before their guitarist Wes Berggren died from a drug overdose in 1999.

DeLaughter ran Good Records, a record shop in Dallas, Texas.

In 2000, the then non-existent band was formed for a 30-minute support of Grandaddy. Gradually, the band took shape through various contacts. 30 minutes of music were written and rehearsed by the 13 original members and the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. The band grew to its present size, floating somewhere near 25 members. The setlist of the first Spree show, titled "The Beginning Stages of The Polyphonic Spree", along with a 10th piece entitled "A Long Day" (fully formed from 11-year-old samples of the voice of Tim DeLaughter) was recorded and distributed to skeptical venues that would not host the enormous band. Eventually, demand for the Spree's music on CD became so great that the album saw commercial release.

In 2003, they were dropped by their record label, 679 Recordings, citing "lack of record sales," but have recently found a new deal on Hollywood Records and have released their sophomore album, "Together We're Heavy" in Japan on June 30th, Europe on July 12th and North America on July 13th of 2004.

The Polyphonic Spree generally consists of a 10-person choir, a pair of keyboardists, as well as a percussionist, bassist, guitarist, flautist, trumpeter, trombonist, violinist, French horn player, theremin player, and an electronic effects person. DeLaughter is musical director and contributes lead vocals. From their inception, The Polyphonic Spree wore white robes, giving the image of purity, hope, and happiness — along the way making scores of people think that they were a religious cult. However, on recent tours promoting their second album, "Together We're Heavy," they sported multicoloured robes.

The Polyphonic Spree was featured on the television program Scrubs on April 20 2004, in the episode "My Choosiest Choice of All" (3-19); and on the television program Las Vegas on November 29 2004, in the episode "Silver Star" (2-10). The Polyphonic Spree was also featured on the soundtrack of the film Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind written by Charlie Kaufman, directed by Michel Gondry and starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.

Discography

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The Beginning Stages of... (2002)

• Section 1 (Have A Day / Celebratory)
• Section 2 (It's The Sun)
• Section 3 (Days Like This Keep Me Warm)
• Section 4 (La La)
• Section 5 (Middle Of The Day)
• Section 6 (Hanging Around The Day Part 1)
• Section 7 (Hanging Around The Day Part 2)
• Section 8 (Soldier Girl)
• Section 9 (Light & Day / Reach For The Sun)
• Section 10 (A Long Day)

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Together We're Heavy (2004)

• Section 11 (A Long Day Continues / We Sound Amazed)
• Section 12 (Hold Me Now)
• Section 13 (Diamonds / Mild Devotion To Majesty)
• Section 14 (Two Thousand Places)
• Section 15 (Ensure Your Reservation)
• Section 16 (One Man Show)
• Section 17 (Suitcase Calling)
• Section 18 (Everything Starts At The Seam)
• Section 19 (When The Fool Becomes A King)
• Section 20 (Together We're Heavy)

External links

• Official The Polyphonic Spree Site (http://www.thepolyphonicspree.com/) (Flash site.)
• The Polyphonic Spree's Page at New Music Express (http://www.nme.com/artists/99971.htm)
• Polyphonic Spree's In-Studio Performance at KEXP Radio (http://www.kexp.org/aspnet_client/KEXPViewMediaGroup.aspx?rID=105&pID=528&fID=539&artist=JR)
• Quest For The Rest (game) (http://www.questfortherest.com/)
• Together We're Heavy (http://www.togetherwereheavy.com/) (Flash site.)
• Interview with Tim (http://earlash.com/ft.php?featid=66)