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I Am Spoonbender is an American/Canadian multimedia group formed in San Francisco[1] in early 1997 by composer/multi-instrumentalist/producer Dustin Donaldson, with Brian Jackson and cub guitarist Robynn Iwata (a.k.a. 'Cup', who joined halfway through the recording of the debut album Sender/Receiver, after abandoning the guitar for synthesizers).[2]
I Am Spoonbender | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Experimental music, krautrock, ambient, art rock, indie rock, progressive rock, electronic |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Members | Dustin Donaldson Robynn Iwata |
| Past members | Brian Jackson Marc Kate |
Their musical style has been favorably compared to Brian Eno, Can, and This Heat, and touches on elements of neo-psychedelia, ambient music, electronic music, tape music, psychedelic folk, synthpop, post-rock, post-punk, progressive, math rock, jazz, noise, pop, and musique concrete, with a distinctly experimental/avant-garde bent. Their sound has evolved over time and remains distinctive, making it difficult to place the group into a concise style or genre. Dustin Donaldson has noted that most of their influences are outside of music itself, although he has mentioned being inspired conceptually by Morton Subotnick, Wire, Laurie Anderson and Devo.[3]
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Current members
- Dustin Donaldson: synths, drums, vocals, production 1997-
- "Cup" (Robynn Iwata): synths, vocals 1997-
Current live members
- Kevin Farkas – 2nd drumset, synths
- Nolan Cook – bass and synths (The Residents, Dimesland)
- Drew Cook – bass and synths (Dimesland)
- MA'AT – perception management and subliminatexture
Past members
- Brian Jackson: bass, synths, 1997–2000
- Marc Kate: synths, 1998–2003
Past session members
- Dave Edwardson (Neurosis): bass on Shown Actual Size, Buy Hidden Persuaders
Past live members
- Chad Amory: bass, synths, 2000–2001
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| Sender/Receiver | CD/ 12" picture disc | 1999 | Gold Standard Laboratories (US), Mint Records (Canada) |
| Teletwin | 3-sided 12" EP, CD | 2000 | Little Army Records (US), Mint Records (Canada) |
| Plastic Lips | 7" single | 2000 | Contact (Japan) |
| Shown Actual Size | CD/12" EP | 2002 | Gold Standard Laboratories |
| Buy Hidden Persuaders | CD | 2004 | Mesmer Detector, Ltd (world) |
| Stereo Telepathy Academy | CD | 2006 | Helen Scarsdale Agency (world) |
Live appearances are rare. In addition to their own shows, I Am Spoonbender has performed on bills with Mogwai, Glenn Branca, Cibo Matto, The New Pornographers, Wire, Money Mark, Einstürzende Neubauten, Hot Hot Heat, Steven Stapleton, Mike Patton, Secret Chiefs 3, Man or Astro-man?, The Locust, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kid606, The Faint, Grandaddy, Trans Am, Pleasure Forever, Chrome, Ariel Pink, Notwist, Oneida, Tarentel, Fly Pan Am, Matmos, and Explosions in the Sky, among others.
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