A.W. (musician)

John-Allison Weiss (born April 13, 1987) is a Los Angeles-based indie pop singer, songwriter, and performer known sometimes by their collective band's stage name A.W. To date, they have released three full-length albums and several EPs. Their most recent LP, New Love, was released on October 2, 2015 through SideOneDummy Records.

John-Allison Weiss
Born (1987-04-13) April 13, 1987
Grosse Pointe, Michigan, US
OriginAthens, Georgia, US
GenresIndie pop
Occupation(s)Songwriter, performer
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, bass guitar, piano
Years active2007–present
LabelsSideOneDummy Records, No Sleep Records
Websitelistentoaw.com

Biography

Weiss began playing music as a teenager in their hometown of Flowery Branch, Georgia.[1] Inspired by the emotional tumult of young relationships, they began writing songs, adopting a DIY ethic that would stay with them throughout their career. Weiss released their first EP, An Eight-Song Tribute to Feeling Bad and Feeling Better, in 2007, while attending the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.[2] They followed it up with a full-length concert album, Live at Sidewalk NYC, a year later.

In late 2009, Weiss turned to the newly launched Kickstarter crowd-funding platform to try raising the money for their first studio LP, ...Was Right All Along. Their campaign allowed them to reach their funding goal within the first day and triple it just days later. The Kickstarter success led to some high-exposure press, with The New York Times and Wired magazine essentially labeling them as a sort of poster child for the new era of Internet promotion.[3] A.W. capitalized on the attention with countless tours, interviews, and a panelist slot at the industry's SXSW conference in Austin alongside Kickstarter founder Yancey Strickler.[4] They kept themself busy over the next two years by focusing on their songwriting and touring.

In 2011, Weiss recorded their second studio album, Say What You Mean, as well as a companion acoustic record called Sideways Sessions in Brooklyn, New York. Both albums were released on No Sleep Records in 2013. The label released an EP titled Remember When the following year.

In May 2015, Weiss signed with SideOneDummy Records and announced plans to release a third studio album later that year. New Love was released on October 2, 2015, produced by Forrest Kline of electro-pop band Hellogoodbye and Bradley Hale of indie rock band Now, Now.[5]

A.W. performing at LoveLoud 2018

In 2017, shortly after the release of their single "Runaway," Weiss came out as non-binary, officially changing their project name to A.W. and assuming "they/them" pronouns. They discussed the transition on the podcast Queery, hosted by comedian Cameron Esposito, for which Weiss also provides the theme music with their song "Who We Are."[6]

Associated acts

During their time in Brooklyn, New York, Weiss frequently played shows with Jenny Owen Youngs, Bess Rogers, Field Mouse, and more. They have toured with acts such as Candy Hearts, Anthony Raneri, Tim Barry, State Champs, Matt Pryor, and The Front Bottoms. They have supported artists like Laura Jane Grace, The Wonder Years, Chuck Ragan, and Relient K. In 2012, A.W. supported Lou Reed on his European tour, during which they also contributed backing vocals in Reed's band.[7] In 2013, Daytrotter released a vinyl 12" featuring Tegan and Sara on side A and Weiss on side B.[8] In 2015, Weiss contributed backup vocals to The Front Bottoms album Back on Top and The Wonder Years album No Closer to Heaven. Weiss has also contributed backup vocals to songs with Chris Farren, Reggie and the Full Effect, and more. A.W.'s touring band is led by musical director and guitarist Peter Recine[9] and includes Liam McCormack of Yellowbirddd on bass and Eric Downs on drums.

Discography

Studio LPs
TitleLabelYear
...Was Right All AlongSelf-Released2009
Say What You MeanNo Sleep Records2013
New LoveSideOneDummy Records2015

EPs
TitleLabelYear
An Eight-Song Tribute to Feeling Bad & Feeling BetterSelf-released2007
Winter Mix TapeSelf-released2007
The Only Girl at an All Boys Pool PartySelf-released2008
& The Way She Likes ItSelf-released2008
I Was an IslandSelf-released2011
Remember WhenNo Sleep Records2014

Other Releases
TitleLabelYear
Live At Sidewalk NYCSelf-Released2009
The Teenage YearsSelf-Released2012
Making It Up 7"No Sleep Records2012
Say What You Mean: Sideways SessionsNo Sleep Records2013
Tegan & Sara / Allison WeissDaytrotter2013
"The Same" (Acoustic)Everyone Is Gay2015

Music Videos
  • Let Me Go (2009)
  • I'm Ready (2009)
  • Fingers Crossed (2010)
  • Making It Up (2013)
  • Wait for Me (2013)
  • Golden Coast (2015)
  • Who We Are (2015)
gollark: Here in the United UK Kingdom of England, it's still somethingorother.
gollark: Well, that should make space travel easier, we can just send cars to bits of the US.
gollark: Huh, the Moon has an atmosphere and human-habitable temperature. Guess we can get them to colonise that instead of Mars then.
gollark: t!weather venus
gollark: t!weather galsreim

References
  1. "Allison Weiss". billboard.com.
  2. Archives, The Red And Black. "When a band loves a woman: Allison Weiss". redandblack.com.
  3. Walker, Rob (August 5, 2011). "The Trivialities and Transcendence of Kickstarter" – via NYTimes.com.
  4. "Kickstarter at SXSW". kickstarter.com.
  5. https://sideonedummy.com/blog/article/allison-weiss-joins-s1d
  6. Esposito, Cameron. "21 - AW". Feral Audio. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  7. "Lou Reed Kicks off Kunstrasen". 3songsbonn.com. June 30, 2012.
  8. "Tegan & Sara / Allison Weiss Vinyl 12" (New) from Daytrotter Studio, 2013 at Wolfgang's". Wolfgang's.
  9. "NEW LOVE INTERVIEWS: PETER RECINE, GUITARIST / MD". allisonw.com.
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