The Polyphonic Spree found their expansive way to a new age with the heavy robed theatrics of this uplifting symphonic amazement. Group mastermind Tim DeLaughter had formed the group in the wake of his former band Tripping Daisy: "The whole thing was an experiment at the beginning. It was an idea of a sound that I had been thinking about since Tripping Daisy. I wondered what it would sound like with 10 voices instead of one, and what would it sound like with a flute and horns. I thought one day I’d have this hybrid of symphonic and rock and we’ll make this sound. After Tripping Daisy, I decided to do something that I always wanted to do. I wasn’t trying to make a band, I was trying to experience what it would sound like. A friend booked us on show opening for Grandaddy and Bright Eyes, we had two weeks to put the group together ... I called some friends and family over. I had been writing on the piano because I was bored with guitar. We were storing the piano for a friend. I wanted a symphonic approach, and after a few improv sessions in my living room we played a 30 minute set ... I had thirteen people. After that show, I had everybody come up asking to be part of it...I had really taken myself out of music, I’d gone through a dark time – one of my best friends and guitar player of Tripping Daisy died through a drugs overdose. I didn’t know what the hell was going on musically around me. When my child was born, it kind of brought in life again for me and I started seeing things a lot differently. That’s when I got the nerve to start The Polyphonic Spree – I knew that what we were doing was really good, it would find a place eventually ... [My experiences with Tripping Daisy taught me] vision, perseverance, push through and enjoy. It’s not an easy task. [There are] many levels, but I have help. It is not just me...[The songwriting process is] all over the place. I used to only write and create melodies, sometimes improvising lyrics… Other times I write the lyrics right then and then create the rest. Melody is important to me, but these days I’m writing off of beats. Sometimes I play bass to create or I play the drums. It just depends ... I didn’t want the audience to identify the members by what they’re wearing, so I thought the robes would look cool and cover everybody up...We’ve had pretty much everything you can think of, except for a tuba. I had a tuba player for a day, but he didn’t come back."
The band recorded their debut album 'The Beginning Stages of...' as a demo and released it on their own independent label Good Records before getting distribution through Warner subsidiary 679 Recordings. As the group was touring to support the record, they were dropped from 679 for lack of sales. DeLaughter demures: “It’s expensive to operate this group – they looked at how much they spent on tour support and how many records they sold, and it wasn’t adding up. They’re just doing their book work ... We fluctuate from time to time. The truth is we had 28 people for a long time. The average though is around 22. We just let it flow. It works ... The first record was done by a band that was three months old, it was just a demo. We went in to make that record for promoters because we couldn’t get shows – people wouldn’t book us, they thought it was a logistical nightmare! The difference between the new record and that record is now you have a band that’s been together for four-and-a-half-years that’s realising what it’s all about. It’s much thicker, it’s a pretty broad record. It’s more theatrical, it’s kind of a musical, a rock opera- we’re feeling what we’re about.”
Even as the band lost their distribution, they found their breakthrough success when the song "Light and Day / Reach For the Sun" was featured in various advertisements, sports specials, television programs, and even a motion picture. 'Together We're Heavy' was recorded for Hollywood Records with the production team of Eric Drew Feldman, Jeff Levison, & The Speekers and features Tim DeLaughter on lead vocal, guitars, percussion, tubular bells, piano, organ, samples, and various noises; Ryan Fitzgerald on acoustic & electric guitars, and banjo; Joe Butcher on pedal steel; Evan Hisey on keyboards, organ, and synthesizers; Jesse Hester on piano and vocals; Mark Pirro on electric bass; Rick Nelson on double bass, violin, and viola; Bryan Wakeland on drums and percussion; Audrey Easley on flute, piccolo, whistle, and electronic wind instruments; Louis Schwadron on french horn; Toby Halbrooks on Theremin; James Reimer on trombone and glockenspiel; Logan Keese on trumpet flugelhorn; and Jennifer Jobe, Jennie Kelley, Jessica Jordan, Julie Duncanville, Kelly Repka, and Michael Turner on lead, backing, & choir vocals. The album charted at number one on the Billboard Heatseekers album chart.
http://www.thepolyphonicspree.com/
Hold Me Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_E5GIraoHA
He started the day with a mood and a shake.
He was finally arranged.
And someone said with a cold, hard chest, "You're a mess!"
He woke up at nights.
He thought he was twice.
He was moving away
cause everyone thinks that it goes away with age.
Hold me now.
Don’t start shaking.
You keep me safe.
Don't ever think you're the only one
when times are tough in your new age.
Hold me now.
Don’t start shaking.
You keep me safe.
Don't ever think you're the only one
when times are tough in your new age.
You better be cool at the time.
He’s walking along with his soul in his lungs.
Ya stare at him long you can find a new song.
Everyone thinks they've got a new phrase.
But you're still miles away.
You're still miles away.
I said, "You're still miles away."
Hold me now. Don't start shaking.
You keep me safe.
Don't ever think you're the only one
when times are tough in your new age.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6h8ud_polyphonic-spree-hold-me-now_news
Polyphonic Spree Hold Me Now by Saklas
'Two Thousand Places
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHySBlLBn7E
'Together We're Heavy'
full album:
"Section 11 (A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed)" - 8:32
"Section 12 (Hold Me Now)" - 4:30
"Section 13 (Diamonds/Mild Devotion to Majesty)" - 4:55
"Section 14 (Two Thousand Places)" - 5:19
"Section 15 (Ensure Your Reservation)" - 1:39
"Section 16 (One Man Show)" - 4:58
"Section 17 (Suitcase Calling)" - 8:48
"Section 18 (Everything Starts at the Seam)" - 1:54
"Section 19 (When the Fool Becomes a King)" - 10:38
"Section 20 (Together We're Heavy)" - 6:30
"Bonus Section 1 (The Best Part)" (Japanese release only)
"Bonus Section 2 (Mercury Tea)" (Japanese release only)
"Bonus Section 3 (Working Out the Kinks)" (Japanese release only)
The Best Part live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXhZwT4n3t4
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