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Fleet Foxes

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Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes performing in Copenhagen, 2008.
Fleet Foxes performing in Copenhagen, 2008.
Background information
OriginSeattle, Washington, U.S.
GenresIndie folk, baroque pop, folk rock, psychedelic folk, progressive rock
Years active2006–2012 (hiatus)
LabelsSub Pop (U.S.)
Bella Union (UK)
Arts & Crafts México
MembersRobin Pecknold
Skyler Skjelset
Casey Wescott
Christian Wargo
Morgan Henderson
Past member(s)Nicholas Peterson
Craig Curran
Joshua Tillman
WebsiteFleetFoxes.com

Fleet Foxes is an American indie folk band that started in Seattle, Washington.[1] It is signed to the Sub Pop and Bella Union record labels. The band became well-known in 2008 for their second EP, Sun Giant, and their first album Fleet Foxes. Fleet Foxes' second studio album, Helplessness Blues, was released on 3 May 2011.

History

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Formation and early years

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Robin Pecknold and Skyler Skjelset both went to Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington, and became friends. They listened to Bob Dylan and Neil Young and began making music together.[2]

First they took the name "The Pineapples", but another band in the area had the same name. Pecknold then decided upon "Fleet Foxes".[3] Pecknold became the principal songwriter, both singing and playing guitar, while Skjelset played lead guitar.[4] The producer Phil Ek and he helped them record their first demo in 2006, the Fleet Foxes EP.[5] By late 2006, Seattle journalists began to notice the band.[5]

They became popular by doing local concerts. They started making their first album in early 2007. They recorded in the studio with producer Ek. They recorded most of their tracks at home because they did not have a lot of money.[2]

Rise to prominence

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Fleet Foxes became popular through word of mouth exposure. By late 2007, their songs had been played over 250,000 times on their Myspace site.[6] They got a record deal with Sub Pop (a subsidiary record label of Warner Music) on 18 January 2008.[6] Robin's sister, Aja Pecknold, became band manager.[7] The band's frontman, Robin Pecknold, says that they got most of their success and popularity from people sharing their music illegally online.[8]

The band recorded their second EP, Sun Giant, at Bear Creek Studio and performed overdubs and mixed at Seattle's Avast! Recording Co.[9] Fleet Foxes began a tour with the band Blitzen Trapper on 28 February 2008.[10] The band's performances, first at the SXSW festival in March 2008, and then the Sasquatch! festival in May 2008, got them the most attention from the public.[3]

Sun Giant was released internationally on 8 April 2008. It was well received by the press.[11] After this, Christian Wargo joined the band on guitar and J. Tillman joined the band on drums.[12] Their first full length album, Fleet Foxes, was released on 3 June 2008.[13] The album achieved similar critical success as the previous EP. On 24 June 2008, Fleet Foxes went to No. 1 on the College Music Journal Radio 200 Chart.[14]

In Europe, Fleet Foxes sold over 200,000 copies in the five months following its release.[15] The album received good reviews from critics. In Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, tickets for their concerts sold out.[15][16] By the end of 2008, it had sold over 408,000 copies in North America and over 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[17]

They went on a worldwide tour in 2008 and 2009.

Second album

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The band started practicing their new songs in February 2009. Recording did not start until April 2010. Many of the vocal tracks were recorded in one take.

The album, Helplessness Blues, was released on 3 May 2011. The cover was illustrated by the Seattle artist Toby Liebowitz and painted by Christopher Alderson.[18] The album features new band member Morgan Henderson on upright bass and woodwind instruments.[19]

On 18 January 2012, drummer J. Tillman announced that he had left the band.[20]

Helplessness Blues was nominated for Best Folk Album at the 2012 Grammy Awards, on 12 February 2012.

The band went on hiatus from 2013 to 2016.

Third album

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On May 18, 2016, Robin Pecknold said on his Instagram account that Fleet Foxes were working on new music.

Their third album, called Crack-Up, was released on June 16, 2017. It was released on Nonesuch Records, a new label for the band.

They started playing concerts again on May 15, 2017.

Members

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Fleet Foxes performing at Hard Rock Calling 2009.
  • Robin Pecknold - lead vocals, guitar (2006–present)
  • Skyler Skjelset - guitar, mandolin, vocals (2006–present)
  • Casey Wescott - keyboards, mandolin, vocals (2006–present)
  • Christian Wargo - bass guitar, guitar, vocals (2008–present)
  • Morgan Henderson - upright bass, guitar, woodwinds, violin, percussion, saxophone (2010–present)

Former members

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  • Craig Curran - bass guitar (2006-2008)
  • Nicholas Peterson - drums, percussion, vocals (2006–2008)
  • Joshua Tillman - drums, percussion, vocals (2008–2012)

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales, and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
US
[21] 		AUS
[22] 		BEL
(FL)
[22] 		CAN
[23] 		FRA
[22] 		GER
[22] 		NLD
[22] 		NOR
[22] 		SWE
[22] 		UK
[24]
Fleet Foxes 36 90 12 — 78 51 39 14 16 3
Helplessness Blues
  • Released: May 3, 2011
  • Labels: Bella Union, Sub Pop
  • Format: CD, CS, LP, digital download
 4 6 2 8 54 11 5 1 3 2
Crack-Up
  • Released: June 16, 2017
  • Labels: Nonesuch
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
 9 10 9 16 144
[32]		 25 11 21
[33]		 18
[34]		 9
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Extended plays

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List of extended plays, with selected chart positions, sales, and certifications
Title EP details Chart peak positions
US
[21]
The Fleet Foxes
  • Released: September 5, 2006
  • Format: CD-R
 —
Sun Giant
  • Released: April 8, 2008
  • Labels: Bella Union, Sub Pop
  • Formats: CD, CS, LP, digital download
 174
The Shrine / An Argument – Live at the BBC
  • Released: December 13, 2011
  • Label: Bella Union
  • Format: 12-inch vinyl
 —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA
[36] 		US
Rock
[37] 		BEL
[38] 		JPN
[39] 		SCO
[40] 		UK
[41] 		UK Indie
[42]
"White Winter Hymnal" 2008 — — 62 — 35 77 4 Fleet Foxes
"He Doesn't Know Why" — — 74 — — — —
"Mykonos" 2009 30 — 18 — 12 51 28 Sun Giant (EP)
"Your Protector" — — — — 31 — 45 Fleet Foxes
"Helplessness Blues"/"Grown Ocean" 2011 — — 63 76 — — — Helplessness Blues
"Battery Kinzie"[43] — —[E] 75 — — — —
"Lorelai" — — 68 — — — —
"Third of May / Ōdaigahara" 2017 26 45 — — — — — Crack-Up
"Fool's Errand" — — 96 — — — —
"If You Need To, Keep Time on Me" — — — — — — —

Music videos

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Year Song
2008 "White Winter Hymnal"
"He Doesn't Know Why"
2009 "Mykonos"
2011 "Grown Ocean"
"The Shrine / An Argument"
2017 "Fool's Errand"

References

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  1. ↑ Matson, Andrew "Seattle's Fleet Foxes poised to sprint with new album", The Seattle Times, 30 April 2011, accessed 19 June 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Scaggs, Austin (13 November 2008). "Fleet Foxes' Perfect Harmony". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 29 November 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 James, McNair (13 June 2008). "On the hunt for meaning with Seattle band Fleet Foxes". The Independent. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  4. ↑ "Fleet Foxes Expand Seattle Sound", Seattle magazine
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Scanlon, Tom (22 September 2006). "Fleet Foxes sing it their way". Seattle Times. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lester, Paul (11 February 2008). "No 272: Fleet Foxes". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  7. ↑ "Interview With Fleet Foxes A&R Sue Busch", HitQuarters, 4 May 2009.
  8. ↑ Youngs, Ian (12 June 2009). "Entertainment | Bands 'better because of piracy'". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  9. ↑ Pecknold, Aja (18 January 2008). "It's Official: Fleet Foxes Sign with Sub Pop". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  10. ↑ Seling, Megan. "Billboard.com on Fleet Foxes". Billboard. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
  11. ↑ Phares, Heather. "Sun Giant EP Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  12. ↑ Mason-Campbell, Nilina (2 May 2008). "Fleet Foxes Add New Member, More Tour Dates". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 5 May 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  13. ↑ Phares, Heather. "Fleet Foxes Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  14. ↑ Shaer, Matthew (11 July 2008). "Let the light in: With their self-titled debut, Fleet Foxes are putting a new shine on folk music". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Swash, Rosie (17 November 2008). "Fleet Foxes' coup signals folk revival". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  16. ↑ Sauma, Luiza (7 December 2008). "Fleet Foxes: Are a hairy bunch of young folk-rockers inventing a new sound of Seattle?", The Independent. Retrieved on 19 January 2009.
  17. ↑ Paine, Andre (23 December 2008). "Fleet Foxes Go Gold In United Kingdom". Billboard. Retrieved on 29 January 2009.
  18. ↑ Alissa (31 January 2011). "Fleet Foxes Announce Second Album, Helplessness Bblues, Pre-Order Now". Sub Pop Records. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  19. ↑ Hay, Travis "Fleet Foxes add a Blood Brother for sixth member" Guerilla Candy, 17 April 2011
  20. ↑ Pelly, Jenn "J. Tillman Leaves Fleet Foxes, Other Members Form New Band Poor Moon" Pitchfork, 19 January 2012
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Fleet Foxes – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 Peak chart positions for singles in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden:
  23. ↑ "Fleet Foxes – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Fleet Foxes" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  25. ↑ "New Albums Notch Top Gold & Platinum Awards". Recording Industry Association of America. December 11, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Bella bash makes for happy Union". Music Week. August 10, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (Enter Fleet Foxes in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search) on August 1, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Gold & Platinum: Fleet Foxes". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  29. ↑ "I.B. Bad: The Indie Offensive". Hits. March 15, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  30. ↑ "The Top 20 rock singles and albums of 2011 revealed". Official Charts Company. January 17, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (Enter Helplessness in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search) on August 1, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums – SNEP (Week 25, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 27, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  33. ↑ "VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 25, 2017". VG-lista. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan - Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Click on "Veckans albumlista".
  35. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (June 25, 2017). "Lorde Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Melodrama'". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Fleet Foxes Album & Song Chart History - Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  37. ↑ "Fleet Foxes – Chart History: Rock Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Fleet Foxes (Flanders)". Ultratop. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  39. ↑ "Fleet Foxes – Chart History: Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  40. ↑ Peaks in Scotland:
  41. ↑ "Fleet Foxes - The Official Charts Company". Theofficialcharts.com. 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  42. ↑ Peaks on the UK Indie chart:
  43. ↑ Praxis Media. "Radio1 Rodos Greece ::: UK Forthcoming Singles ::: Charts, DJ Promos, Dance, Lyrics, Free Mp3 Samples Downloads". Radio1.gr. Archived from the original on 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  44. ↑ "Fleet Foxes – Chart History: Rock Digital Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 11, 2017.

Notes

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  1. ↑ United States sales figures for Fleet Foxes as of December 2013.[25]
  2. ↑ United Kingdom sales figures for Fleet Foxes as of August 2009.[26]
  3. ↑ United States sales figures for Helplessness Blues as of March 2013.[29]
  4. ↑ United Kingdom sales figures for Helplessness Blues as of January 2012.[30]
  5. ↑ "Battery Kinzie" did not enter the Rock Songs chart, but peaked at number 47 on the Rock Digital Songs chart.[44]

Other websites

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Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fleet_Foxes&oldid=8262383"