The High Violets are an American dream pop band from Portland, Oregon, United States.

The High Violets
OriginPortland, Oregon, United States
GenresShoegaze
Dream pop
Alternative rock
Years active1998–present
LabelsSaint Marie Records
Comet Rock Records
Reverb Records
MembersKaitlyn Ni Donovan - vocals, guitar
Clint Sargent - lead guitar, vocals
Colin Sheridan - bass guitar
Luke Strahota - drums
Past membersViolet Bianca Grace (vocals, bass)
Allen Davis (bass)
Aaron Overstreet (bass)
Websitethehighviolets.com

History

edit

The High Violets were formed in late 1998[1] after the breakup of Portland band The Bella Low[2] by former members Clint Sargent, Luke Strahota and Violet Bianca Grace. This lineup was short-lived however as Grace left after a few gigs. Sargent and Strahota then joined forces with Allen Davis of Echoplex. Soon after Sargent recruited Kaitlyn Ni Donovan to complete the line up. After self-releasing an EP entitled Dream Away, they signed to Irish label Reverb Records and released 44 Down in 2002.[3] Four years later, they followed up with the critically acclaimed To Where You Are, also on Reverb.[4][5][6] The group also performed at SXSW in 2006.[7] In 2007, they performed at NXNE and released a remix album, Satellite Remixes, which featured Ulrich Schnauss and Carmen Rizzo among others.[8] Although the band is currently on hiatus from touring and live performances they have been active in the studio. Their fifth full-length album Heroes and Halos, released April 1, 2016, was listed on PopMatters 10 Best Shoegaze and Dream pop Albums 2016.[9] In 2021 they released the B-Sides & Rarities album.[10]

Discography

edit
  • Dream Away EP (Self Released 2000)
  • 44 Down EP (Reverb Records, 2002)
  • Invitation EP (Self Released 2005)
  • To Where You Are (Reverb, 2006)
  • Satellite Remixes (Reverb, 2007)
  • Cinema (Comet Rock, 2010)
  • Heroes and Halos (Saint Marie Records, 2016)
  • B-Sides & Rarities (Comet Rock, 2021)

Compilations

edit

Song appearances in media

edit

The High Violets songs have been featured in various television shows, including:

The High Violets song Chinese Letter Remix (Ulrich Schnauss remix) was featured in the film and film soundtrack Water Wings.[11]

References

edit
  1. ^ The High Violets Set Sights on the Stars. The Portland Tribune, April 19, 2002. Accessed November 9, 2007.
  2. ^ The High Violets at Allmusic.com
  3. ^ Review of 44 Down. Pop Matters, August 15, 2002. Accessed November 9, 2007.
  4. ^ Weekly Picks, San Francisco Bay Guardian, April 18–24, 2007. Accessed November 9, 2007.
  5. ^ Review of To Where You Are. Spacelab. Accessed November 9, 2007.
  6. ^ Review of To Where You Are. Urb Magazine. Accessed November 9, 2007.
  7. ^ "Review of To Where You Are". Evilsponge.org. 2006-01-31. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  8. ^ Forkcast. Pitchfork Media, September 25, 2007. Accessed November 9, 2007.
  9. ^ "The 10 Best Shoegaze and Dream Pop Albums of 2016". Popmatters.com. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  10. ^ "The High Violets: B-Sides & Rarities". herecomestheflood.com. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Water Wings (2009)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 21 November 2020.