The High Violets
Country of origin:
U.S.A.
Type of music generally:
Ethereal shoegazer rock
Status:
Most recent release, Heroes and Halos (2016)
See also:
The High Violets siteWikipedia's entry on The High Violets
The High Violets's Facebook page
The High Violet's bandcamp site
The Ectophiles' Guide's page for vocalist Kaitlyn ni Donovan
Comparisons:
A little like Rose Chronicles, Chimera, Sully, 7=49-era The Moon Seven Times
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
This is dreamy, atmospheric, but with a lively beat and guitar work. Kaitlyn ni Donovan's gorgeous voice floats over it all, as occasionally does Clint Sargent's, and sometimes both. It seems pretty indie-ecto.
Hard to say what it reminds me of. Perhaps most strongly 7=49-era The Moon Seven Times with a contemporary indie flavour and a singer who stays on-key? (The last is for those of you bothered by that aspect of Lynn Canfield's vocals, which I quite like.)
Anyway, I'm certain that many ectophiles will like the High Violets. It's delightful listening. (Neile)I picked up both of their CDs, and that made the whole trip worthwhile, as Kaitlyn ni Donovan does almost all of the singing on those and the music and vocals are marvelous. Anyway, I highly recommend both 44 down and To Where You Are as ectolicious stuff. (stevev@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu)
Comments about live performance:
It's been maybe three years since I heard about the Portland band The High Violets, and I finally got to see them on Friday here in Eugene.
Unfortunately the live show was a little disappointing, partly because it seemed like kind of a short set, but mostly because Kaitlyn ni Donovan barely sang at all—I think I spotted her doing backing vocals for a bit, but the bassist and guitarist seemed to do almost all of the singing. (3/26/06, stevev@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu)
Recommended first album:
Either. 44 Down is more dreamy, to where you are is more pop/rock
Recordings:
- 44 Down (2002)
- to where you are (2006)
- Satellite Remixes (2007)
- Cinéma (2010)
- Heroes and Halos (2016)
44 Down
Release info:
2002—Reverb Records—RR08CDX
Availability:
Unknown
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for fans of dreamy, crunchy pop/rock
Group members:
Clint Sargent—guitar, vocals
Luke Strahota—drums
Allen Davis—bass
Kaitlyn ni Donovan—guitar, vocals
Produced by:
Allen Davis
Comments:
We have their debut disc and like it quite a lot. It hasn't had quite the same impact on me as Kaitlyn ni Donovan's solo work, but it is a different kind of music. Dreamy and crunchy at the same time. Atmospheric, but with a driving beat and a flowing energy. (Neile)
to where you are
Release info:
2006—Reverb Records—RR020CDX
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Clint Sargent—guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Kaitlyn ni Donovan—voice, guitars, keyboards
Aaron Overstreet—bass
Ben Nugent—drums
Guest artists:
Tony Lash, Mike Valentine—additional drums and percussion
Produced by:
Tony Lash and Jeff Saltzman
Comments:
I find myself more taken by the more recent release To Where You Are, which is catchier and more energetic than 44 down and so has occupied more of my listening time. (stevev@hexadecimal.uoregon.edu)Crunchier than their debut. to where you are is more earth-bound whereas 44 down was more stargazing. I like the direction they're taking as a band, the textures of the guitars set against Kaitlyn ni Donovan's ethereal vocals. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Cinéma
Release info:
2010—Comet Rock Records
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Clint Sargent—guitars, vocals, keyboards, piano
Kaitlyn ni Donovan—vocals, piano, violin
Colin Sheridan—bass guitar
Luke Strahota—drums
Guest artists:
Tony Lash—drums, additional guitars
Ben Nugent—drums
Jeff Stuart Saltzman—additional guitars, additional bass and keyboards
Justin Thorpe Name—additional guitars
Produced by:
Tony Lash, Jeff Stuart Saltzman, Justin Thorpe, Clint Sargent and Kaitlyn ni Donovan
Comments:
In line with their previous albums, and just as good. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Thanks for JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
