Stars Like Fleas

Stars Like Fleas is a Brooklyn-based band formed by multi-instrumentalist Shannon Fields and vocalist Montgomery Knott in the winter of 1998. Frequently compared to later Talk Talk and Robert Wyatt, their music blends avant-jazz and free improvisation with electronic textures and several overdubbed murmured vocal lines.[1]

Stars Like Fleas
OriginBrooklyn, New York, USA
GenresExperimental rock
Indie rock
Years active1998–present
LabelsHometapes, Praemedia, Talitres
WebsiteOfficial website
MembersShannon Fields
Montgomery Knott
Ryan Smith
Tianna Kennedy
Ryan Sawyer
Matt Lavelle
Shayna Dulberger
Laura Ortman
Sam Amidon
Jon Natchez
Shelley Burgon

History

The band started in 1998. On their albums and in live performances, Fields and Knott have recruited a host of other musicians, including members and ex-members of Other Dimensions in Music, TEST, No-Neck Blues Band, Papa M, Out Hud, Gold Sparkle Band, At the Drive-In, Beirut, Tall Firs, TV on the Radio, Celebration, Fiery Furnaces, The Silent League, and Mercury Rev.[2] In 2007 they did a Take-Away Show video session shot by Vincent Moon.

Members
  • Shannon Fields - producer
  • Montgomery Knott - vocals
  • Ryan Smith - piano, synthesizers, laptop, many other things
  • Ryan Sawyer - drums, percussion
  • Matt Lavelle - bass clarinet, flugelhorn, trumpet, cuica
  • Sam Amidon - fiddle, banjo, voice
  • Jon Natchez - reeds, brass, strings, keys, etc.
  • Gerald Menke - pedal steel, dobro resonator, guitars
  • Shelley Burgon - harp, laptop, baritone guitar
  • Tianna Kennedy - cello
  • Shayna Dulberger - bass
  • Laura Ortman - violin

Discography
  • Took the Ass for a Drive (1999; digitally re-released by File 13 2007, downloadable at iTunes)
  • Sun Lights Down on the Fence (2003, Praemedia)[3][4][5]
  • The Ken Burns Effect (2007, Talitres Records in Europe) (May 20, 2008 Hometapes, distribution via Absolutely Kosher/Misra)

References
  1. Couture, François. "Sun Lights Down on the Fence." Allmusic.
  2. Burns, Todd. "Sun Lights Down on the Fence." Stylus Magazine January 5, 2004.
  3. Sounds, Paths, Radios: Notes on Stars Like Fleas
  4. Stylus Magazine Review of Sun Lights Down on the Fence
  5. Pitchfork Review of Sun Lights Down on the Fence

Interviews
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