Sixpence None the Richer (also known as Sixpence) is an American alternative rock band that formed in New Braunfels, Texas, and eventually settled in Nashville, Tennessee. They are best known for their songs "Kiss Me" and "Breathe Your Name" and their covers of "Don't Dream It's Over" and "There She Goes".
Sixpence None the Richer | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sixpence None the Richer performing in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New Braunfels, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1992–2004, 2007–present |
| Labels | |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | sixpencenonethericher |
The band received two Grammy Award nominations, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Kiss Me" and Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album for Sixpence None the Richer (1997).[1]
The name of the band is inspired by a passage from the book Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis discussing how children buying gifts for their parents with the parents' money means the parents are "None the Richer" monetarily but yet clearly there is value in the act (mirroring the Christian God/human dynamic, and notably pointing out the responsibilities of the child/humans to have humility about their offerings).[2][3][4]
History
Formation and early years (1992–1996)
Guitarist/songwriter Matt Slocum met Leigh Nash in the early 1990s and recorded a demo, circulated as "The Original Demos", with bassist T.J. Behling at Verge Music Works recording studio in Dallas, and eventually an album, The Fatherless and the Widow, for the independent label REX Music in 1993. After adding more members, the band toured in support of The Fatherless and The Widow. The band released This Beautiful Mess in 1995.
Into the mainstream (1997–2004)
In 1997, the group signed to Steve Taylor's label Squint Entertainment and released a self-titled album, which slowly began garnering attention from a wider audience in the mainstream industry.
In 1998, "Kiss Me" was released as a single, propelling Sixpence None the Richer into the national pop spotlight. The next year, the band followed up "Kiss Me" with a cover of The La's' "There She Goes". Sixpence appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and numerous morning talk shows.
The band had a follow-up album ready to release, but their label Squint Entertainment started to fall apart, leaving the band in limbo for several years. Finally, Squint Entertainment folded, and the album, Divine Discontent, was released in October 2002.
On February 26, 2004, Matt Slocum announced that the group had disbanded.
First Reunion and Lost in Transition (2007–2016)
In November 2007, Sixpence None the Richer reunited. They released the EP My Dear Machine on the website NoiseTrade in 2008, the band's first official release since The Best of Sixpence None the Richer in 2004.
In October 2008, they released a Christmas album titled The Dawn of Grace.
Sixpence signed to Credential Recordings and played a headline slot at the 2009 Greenbelt Festival in the UK. According to Nash, the band began recording a new album in January 2010.[5][better source needed] The album, Lost in Transition, was released on August 7, 2012.
On November 12, 2016, the band performed at the Love Love Rock Festival in Taipei, Taiwan, playing the hits "Don't Dream It's Over", "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes".[6][better source needed]
Second Reunion and Rosemary Hill (2023-present)
In September 2023, Leigh Nash released a single, The Tide, that additionally credited Sixpence None the Richer, making it their first new song in 11 years. Additionally, Matt and Leigh announced a new tour with 10,000 Maniacs, playing songs from both bands,[7] but in January 2024, Matt and Leigh left the tour early, noting the duo "had other commitments arise".[8][9]
In January 2024, it was announced that drummer Dale Baker was returning to the band and that they had signed a management deal with Deep South Entertainment with plans to re-release their self-titled album on vinyl.[10] In June, they announced a new 25th Anniversary tour with all the original members for the first time since Baker left.[11] In August 2024, they announced a new single, We are Love, and a new EP, Rosemary Hill, to be released in October 2024.[12]
Band members
Current members
- Leigh Nash – vocals (1992–2004, 2007–present)
- Matt Slocum – guitar, cello (1992–2004, 2007–present)
- Justin Cary – bass (1997–2004, 2008–present)
- Dale Baker – drums (1993–2001, 2024–present)
Former members
- T. J. Behling – bass (1992–1993)
- Mark Couvillion – guitars (1992–1993)
- Tess Wiley – guitars, vocals (1994–1996, 2008)
- James Arhelger – bass (1993–1994)
- Joel Bailey – bass (1994)
- J. J. Plasencio – bass (1995–1997)
- Sean Kelly – guitars (1997–2004)
- Jerry Dale McFadden – keyboards (2001–2004)
- Rob Mitchell – drums (2001–2004, 2012–2017)
- Jason Lehning – keyboards (2012–2013)
Timeline
Discography
- The Fatherless and the Widow (1994)
- This Beautiful Mess (1995)
- Sixpence None the Richer (1997)
- Divine Discontent (2002)
- The Dawn of Grace (2008)
- Lost in Transition (2012)
Awards and nominations
 |
| Year | Awards | Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Dove Awards | This Beautiful Mess | Best Alternative/Modern Rock Album | Won |
| 1998 | Sixpence None the Richer | Nominated | ||
| Recorded Music Packaging of the Year | Nominated | |||
| "Love" | Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Billboard Music Video Awards | "Kiss Me" | Best New Artist Clip, Contemporary Christian | Nominated | |
| 1999 | Grammy Awards | Sixpence None the Richer | Best Rock Gospel Album | Nominated |
| Teen Choice Awards | "Kiss Me" | Choice Music: Love Song | Nominated | |
| Dove Awards | Short Form Music Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Billboard Music Awards | Top Hot 100 Airplay Track | Nominated | ||
| Top Adult Top 40 Track | Nominated | |||
| Top Soundtrack Single | Won | |||
| Themselves | Top Hot 100 Artist - Duo/Group | Nominated | ||
| Top Adult Top 40 Artist | Nominated | |||
| 2000 | Grammy Awards | "Kiss Me" | Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated |
| APRA Music Awards | Most Performed Foreign Work | Nominated | ||
| Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards | Themselves | Favorite Band | Nominated | |
| Dove Awards | Group of the Year | Won | ||
| 2001 | Young Hollywood Awards | "Kiss Me" | Best Song | Won |
| BMI Pop Awards | "There She Goes" | Award-Winning Song[13] | Won | |
| 2003 | Dove Awards | "Breathe Your Name" | Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song of the Year | Won |
| Divine Discontent | Best Alternative/Modern Rock Album | Nominated | ||
| Themselves | Group of the Year | Nominated | ||
| BDSCertified Spin Awards | "Kiss Me" | 600,000 Spins | Won | |
| 2006 | 700,000 Spins | Won |
References
External links
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