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RE: Alison Mosshart - Biographies |
Alison Mosshart (born November 23, 1978) began her foray into music at the age of thirteen, while still attending Junior High School. She began singing in a punk band called Discount in her home state of Florida, USA. On the back of moderate success the band toured England, resulting in Mosshart (aged fourteen) meeting Jamie Hince as the band struggled to find accommodation. Mosshart looked up to Jamie Hince, expressing her interest in writing songs and collaborating. Hince lent her a four track recorder, which she took with her on the remainder of the London tour. Mosshart seized the opportunity to mix approximately 20 tapes of music, which she would later present to Hince.
Mosshart began to show disinterest in Discount, feeling that the band restricted her to writing words for other people's songs. Discount broke up in 2000, and in same year Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince formed their band 'The Kills'. The group's initial thoughts were to incorporate more members, but decided in favour of maintaining the dynamic that Mosshart and Hince shared as a duo. Mosshart played guitar and wrote songs with Hince, with their live show consisting of both Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart on guitars and a drum machine backing track. Mosshart provides the majority of vocals with Jamie contributing on select songs.
Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince adopted stage names with the formation The Kills, disassociating themselves from previous work. The name Mosshart is most likely a combination of fashion model / friend, Kate Moss (who is also dating band-mate Jamie Hince) and Captain Beefheart, a favourite musician of hers.
The Kills gained great success and critical appraise in the UK music scene and abroad. In the early days The Kills were reluctant with the press, rarely granting interviews. Mosshart has expressed disillusionment with the music industry in general, saying "There's very little soul or art left in it. Real artists are seen as a total risk, because they can't be moulded. I try to keep out of it, mentally and emotionally, as much as I can." [1]
With the success of The Kills came comparisons to The White Stripes, a comparison Mosshart disapproved of. "It can't even offend me because it's so far away. Also, we're friends with them and we really like their band but we're coming from two different places. I think the only thing that they see is that it's two people in a band, a boy and a girl. I think the brain stops there." [2]
The Kills recorded their debut album 'Keep On Your Mean Side' at Toe Rag Studios in London, where the White Stripes had recorded their album Elephant. The recording process took only 2 weeks, utilising an 8-track recorder. 'Keep On Your Mean Side' saw release in April of 2003.
The Kills followed the album up with 'No Wow' in 2005. The album brought more success to the band, showcasing singles 'Love Is A Deserter' and 'The Good Ones'. 'The Good Ones' proved to be their first charting single, reaching number 23 in the UK Singles.
The Kills played a month of tour dates supporting Jack White's high profile band The Raconteurs in August 2006. The dates saw Mosshart on tour with future bandmates Jack White, Jack Lawrence and Dean Fertita.
The group's third album launched in March of 2008, boasting singles 'URA Fever', 'Cheap and Cheerful' and 'Last Day of Magic'. The album became The Kills most successful release so far, peaking at number 47 in the UK and charting highly across Europe. The inclusion of 'Sour Cherry' on US drama series 'Gossip Girl' made the song a cult hit. Mosshart has expressed great admiration of the TV show, stating "I love that show. I have friends on that show." [3]
Alison Mosshart's collaboration with Jack White began in September 2008, when White's band 'The Raconteurs' were having a troubled US tour. White had suffered a slipped disc and a severe case of bronchitis that hindered his voice. The band's setlist was changed to feature heavily on Brendan Benson's songs, resulting in the exclusion of fan favourites. To try to resolve the issue, the band invited Alison Mosshart to assist on the vocals of White's songs. Mosshart sung on the crowd favourites 'Steady As She Goes' and 'Solute Your Solutions'. White later commented that the experience re-energised the tour. Jack White suggested the recording of a 7-inch to Mosshart during a spare day in the tour, and the pair entered the studio with Jack Lawrence and Dean Fertita. The recording session resulted in four to five tracks being recorded, and marked the beginning of The Dead Weather.
Written by Ryan Mallen, July 13, 2009
[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/music-magazine/music-magazine-features/music-me/music-amp-me-alison-mosshart-of-the-kills-860344.html "Music & Me: Alison Mosshart of The Kills" by Charlotte Cripps
[2] http://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/kills-050525.shtml "Get Back to the Chaos with the Kills" by Andrew Phillips
[3] http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/alison-mosshart/3/ "Alison Mosshart" by Derek Blasberg | | |
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