Pretty Balanced
Pretty Balanced was an American band based in Columbus, Ohio. Its unique sound is the result of a fusion of instruments often associated with chamber music, such as violin, cello, and piano, playing rock compositions, and often employing electronic production. Its members are Judith Shimer (also of The Sneaky Mister) on piano and cello, Forest Christenson (of Solarist, formerly The Liberty Tax, and Starving Goliath) on drums and violin, and Parker Ross (of El Jewbacabra) on bass.[1]
Pretty Balanced | |
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Pretty Balanced in 2007. Left to right: Forest Christenson, Judith Shimer, and Parker Ross. (photo by Noah A. Alloy) | |
Background information | |
Origin | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
Genres | Piano rock, baroque pop |
Years active | 2004–2010 |
Website | |
Members | Judith Shimer Forest Christenson Parker Ross |
Past members | John Siddall |
History
The band formed in 2004, while the members were attending Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center. The original lineup included John Siddall on bass, but he was replaced by Ross after leaving Columbus for college.
In 2005, the Pretty Balanced song "Simon's Sleeping" was featured on Projekt Records' compilation A Dark Cabaret, which sold nationally in Hot Topic stores.
In 2006, the band won second place in the Columbus Dispatch Battle of the Bands 3, winning $300 and five hours of recording time at John Schwab Recording.[2]
After the members graduated from high school in 2006, the band went on a partial-hiatus, but still played shows throughout the Eastern and Midwest United States, and performed in the UK in 2008 and 2009.
In early 2009 they changed their name to "The Alphabet", and in 2010 Judith announced the band's breakup on their blog.[3]
Discography
Studio albums:
- Icicle Bicycle, 2006
- Conical Monocle, 2008
- Scarlet Starlet, 2009 (as The Alphabet)
Other releases:
- Free Public Consumption, 2005 (Demo)
- Re-mix-a Spektor, 2005 (EP)
- The Tape Dust, 2005 (EP)
- i.B. ReLease, 2006 (Live concert recording)
Appears on
- A Dark Cabaret, 2005
See also
- Amanda Palmer
- List of dark cabaret artists
- Regina Spektor
- Evelyn, Evelyn
Notes and references
- Judith Shimer, "HISTORY OF THE BAND", Pretty Balanced, 2007. URL accessed 3-January-2008.
- The Columbus Dispatch, "NATURAL HIGH FROM FORT HAYES WINS BATTLE OF THE BANDS", The Columbus Dispatch, 2006-02-16. URL accessed 3-January-2008.
- http://thesneakymister.blogspot.com/2010/02/big-changes.html
External links
- Pretty Balanced on Myspace
- Pretty Balanced on Last.fm
- Forest Christenson and Solarist website
- Official free Pretty Balanced music download page