Chris A. Cummings: Difference between revisions
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== Early career == |
== Early career == |
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Born in [[Toronto]], Cummings studied classical piano from age 7 to age 20, and wrote songs of his own as a 7-year-old which were preserved by his parents on cassette tape.<ref name=TFSint> |
Born in [[Toronto]], Cummings studied classical piano from age 7 to age 20, and wrote songs of his own as a 7-year-old which were preserved by his parents on cassette tape.<ref name=TFSint>{{cite web|url=http://thetfs.ca/2012/06/18/at-the-intersection-of-music-and-film-stands-mantlers-chris-cummings/|title=''Toronto Film Scene'' interview|website=Thetfs.ca|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> After studying Film Production at Toronto's [[York University]], Cummings started writing and recording songs in his late twenties.<ref name=AllMusicBio>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mantler-mn0000670843/biography|title=Mantler - Biography & History - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> His debut album, ''Doin' It All'' (Le Systeme Records) appeared in 2000.<ref name="allmusic.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/doin-it-all-mw0001255906|title=Doin' It All - Mantler - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> Produced by [[James Duncan (musician)|James Duncan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/stage/story.cfm?content=152340|title=Mantler piece|first=Benjamin|last=Boles|date=March 16, 2006|website=Nowtoronto.com|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> the album featured only [[Wurlitzer electric piano]], drum machine and voice, and was characterized by ''[[AllMusic|Allmusic]]'' as "fragile and highly evocative".<ref name="allmusic.com"/> |
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== The Tomlab years (2002–10) == |
== The Tomlab years (2002–10) == |
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Mantler's second album, ''Sadisfaction,'' was released on Germany's [[Tomlab]] label in October 2002.<ref> |
Mantler's second album, ''Sadisfaction,'' was released on Germany's [[Tomlab]] label in October 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/PopAndRock/mantler-sadisfaction''Exclaim!'':|title=''Sadisfaction'' review|website=Exclaim.ca|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> Although receiving little attention at the time, it did garner a [[Pitchfork Media|''Pitchfork'']] review, which, while noting the contrast of elements (the "defiantly tinny drum machine" versus the "ultra-naturalistic cool jazz trumpet" in the song "Hoped-For Chance"), ultimately felt that the album was weighed down by its "unrelieved gloom."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5093-sadisfaction/|title=Mantler: Sadisfaction Album Review - Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork.com|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> This was followed by his third album ''Landau'' (2004), which was called "casio pop of the highest order" by ''Almost Cool.'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.almostcool.org/mr/848/|title=Mantler - Landau - almost cool music review|website=Almostcool.org|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> while ''[[XLR8R]]'' called its "lounge-crooning soul" an "acquired taste."<ref>[http://www.xlr8r.com/reviews/mantler/landau ''XLR8R'': ''Landau'' review] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006095959/http://www.xlr8r.com/reviews/mantler/landau |date=October 6, 2014 }}</ref> |
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== ''Monody'' and Tin Angel (2010) == |
== ''Monody'' and Tin Angel (2010) == |
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After a lengthy gestation period, Mantler's fourth record, ''[[Monody (album)|Monody]],'' was released by [[Tomlab]] and UK-based [[Tin Angel Records]] in May 2010. Largely produced by longtime collaborator Zack G, the album also featured production contributions from Leon Taheny (Final Fantasy, [[Bruce Peninsula]]) and Jeremy Greenspan ([[Junior Boys]]), who named Cummings as "the best songwriter in Canada,"<ref> |
After a lengthy gestation period, Mantler's fourth record, ''[[Monody (album)|Monody]],'' was released by [[Tomlab]] and UK-based [[Tin Angel Records]] in May 2010. Largely produced by longtime collaborator Zack G, the album also featured production contributions from Leon Taheny (Final Fantasy, [[Bruce Peninsula]]) and Jeremy Greenspan ([[Junior Boys]]), who named Cummings as "the best songwriter in Canada,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/762741/under-the-influence-junior-boys-its-all-true/mp3s/|title=Under The Influence: Junior Boys It’s All True|date=July 22, 2011|website=Stereogum.com|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> as well as brass arrangements by [[Owen Pallett]].<ref name=ExcMonody>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/musicreviews/latestsub.aspx?csid1=142&csid2=870&fid1=45738|title=''Exclaim!'': ''Monody'' review|website=Exclaim.cxa|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> A mixture of solo, electronic-based and acoustic band recordings. the album was noted by ''The Line of Best Fit'' for not being "an album that was designed to leap out at the listener," but which did have some "buried musical treasures."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/mantler-monody-2-30559|title=Mantler – Monody|website=Thelineofbestfit.com|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> ''[[Exclaim!]]'' pronounced it to be "teeming with slow jams",<ref name=ExcMonody /> while ''NOW'' called it "outsider easy listening music" that was "both cool and uncool" and mentioned that Cummings had "long felt like a Toronto music scene secret".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/discs.cfm?content=174515|title=Mantler|first=Benjamin|last=Boles|date=April 15, 2010|website=Nowtoronto.com|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> |
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== Marker Starling (2012–present) == |
== Marker Starling (2012–present) == |
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Following an appearance at [[South by Southwest]] in 2010, Cummings shot the video for the song "Breaking Past the Day" in Austin, Texas with director Colin Medley.<ref> |
Following an appearance at [[South by Southwest]] in 2010, Cummings shot the video for the song "Breaking Past the Day" in Austin, Texas with director Colin Medley.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://torontoist.com/2011/07/sound_tracks_breaking_past_the_day_by_mantler/|title=Sound Tracks: "Breaking Past the Day" by Mantler|first=|last=Torontoist|date=July 20, 2011|website=Torontoist.com|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> |
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In 2011 Cummings was invited by [[TIFF Bell Lightbox]] to curate a film program for their Free Screen series, "Mantler's Visual Music", which included a live performance.<ref> |
In 2011 Cummings was invited by [[TIFF Bell Lightbox]] to curate a film program for their Free Screen series, "Mantler's Visual Music", which included a live performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUk7-YVIwig|title=The Free Screen: Mantler's Visual Music|first=|last=TIFF Originals|date=March 21, 2011|accessdate=November 30, 2018|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> |
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In 2012 Cummings opened for [[Yo La Tengo]] at the Toronto Underground Cinema as part of the [[Images Festival]].<ref name=TFSint /> In 2013 the video for the song "Author", directed by Álvaro Giron, was praised by music writer [[Carl Wilson (critic)|Carl Wilson]], who noted the song lyrics' "acrobatic" quality.<ref> |
In 2012 Cummings opened for [[Yo La Tengo]] at the Toronto Underground Cinema as part of the [[Images Festival]].<ref name=TFSint /> In 2013 the video for the song "Author", directed by Álvaro Giron, was praised by music writer [[Carl Wilson (critic)|Carl Wilson]], who noted the song lyrics' "acrobatic" quality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://backtotheworld.net/2013/01/29/carls-tuesday-musics-marker-starling-author/|title=Carl’s Tuesday Musics: Marker Starling, “Author”|date=January 29, 2013|website=Backtotheworld.net|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> |
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In 2015, Cummings released his first album under his new band name Marker Starling, Rosy Maze, which was praised by Matthew Horton in the NME for its "timeless quality." This was followed in 2016 by the all-covers record I'm Willing, which Peter Ellman in Exclaim! noted for its "mellow, Sunday afternoon […] feel." In 2017 Cummings' third album as Marker Starling, Anchors and Ampersands, was released, leading AllMusic's Tim Sendra to proclaim it "truly a treat for lovers of soft pop."<ref> |
In 2015, Cummings released his first album under his new band name Marker Starling, Rosy Maze, which was praised by Matthew Horton in the NME for its "timeless quality." This was followed in 2016 by the all-covers record I'm Willing, which Peter Ellman in Exclaim! noted for its "mellow, Sunday afternoon […] feel." In 2017 Cummings' third album as Marker Starling, Anchors and Ampersands, was released, leading AllMusic's Tim Sendra to proclaim it "truly a treat for lovers of soft pop."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/marker_starling-im_willing/|title=Marker Starling I'm Willing|website=Exclaim.ca|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> |
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== Collaborations == |
== Collaborations == |
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Cummings contributed arrangements and wurlitzer to the song "First and Last" on [[Maylee Todd]]'s 2013 album ''Escapology''.<ref> |
Cummings contributed arrangements and wurlitzer to the song "First and Last" on [[Maylee Todd]]'s 2013 album ''Escapology''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Maylee-Todd-Escapology/release/4504817|title=Maylee Todd - Escapology|website=Discogs|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> His wurlitzer also appears on [[Junior Boys]]' 2009 song "Hazel" from the album ''[[Begone Dull Care (album)|Begone Dull Care]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Junior-Boys-Begone-Dull-Care/release/1722644|title=Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care|website=Discogs|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> and [[Devon Sproule]]'s 2011 song "The Warning Bell" from the album ''I Love You, Go Easy''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Devon-Sproule-I-Love-You-Go-Easy/release/2906610|title=Devon Sproule - I Love You, Go Easy|website=Discogs|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> He also served as a musical director for the Canadia dell'Arte Theatre Troupe between 1998 and 2002.<ref name=AllMusicBio /> |
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His voice and lyrics were featured on four songs ("Try Though We Might", "Chain of Command", "Breaking Formation" and "One Human Minute") on Von Spar's Streetlife (2014). He contributed Wurlitzer backing to another Junior Boys track in their 2016 cover of Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love." On I'm Willing (2016) he performed duets with both Laetitia Sadier (of Stereolab) and Nina Savary. He contributed a song, "Deep Background" to Find Me Finding You by Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble (2017). He played keyboards in the bands Matias (2005-2010) and Hank (2007-present), for which he also provided string arrangements on the records The Luck of the Singers (2009) and Showers of Happiness (2015). |
His voice and lyrics were featured on four songs ("Try Though We Might", "Chain of Command", "Breaking Formation" and "One Human Minute") on Von Spar's ''Streetlife'' (2014). He contributed Wurlitzer backing to another Junior Boys track in their 2016 cover of Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love." On ''I'm Willing'' (2016) he performed duets with both Laetitia Sadier (of Stereolab) and Nina Savary. He contributed a song, "Deep Background" to ''Find Me Finding You'' by Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble (2017). He played keyboards in the bands Matias (2005-2010) and Hank (2007-present), for which he also provided string arrangements on the records ''The Luck of the Singers'' (2009) and ''Showers of Happiness'' (2015). |
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== Discography == |
== Discography == |
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=== Albums === |
=== Albums === |
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* ''Doin' It All'' (Le Systeme, 2000) |
* ''Doin' It All'' (Le Systeme, 2000) |
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Revision as of 14:00, 30 November 2018
Chris A. Cummings (born 29 May 1969), known professionally as Marker Starling (and formerly as Mantler), is a Canadian songwriter and musician.
Early career
Born in Toronto, Cummings studied classical piano from age 7 to age 20, and wrote songs of his own as a 7-year-old which were preserved by his parents on cassette tape.[1] After studying Film Production at Toronto's York University, Cummings started writing and recording songs in his late twenties.[2] His debut album, Doin' It All (Le Systeme Records) appeared in 2000.[3] Produced by James Duncan,[4] the album featured only Wurlitzer electric piano, drum machine and voice, and was characterized by Allmusic as "fragile and highly evocative".[3]
The Tomlab years (2002–10)
Mantler's second album, Sadisfaction, was released on Germany's Tomlab label in October 2002.[5] Although receiving little attention at the time, it did garner a Pitchfork review, which, while noting the contrast of elements (the "defiantly tinny drum machine" versus the "ultra-naturalistic cool jazz trumpet" in the song "Hoped-For Chance"), ultimately felt that the album was weighed down by its "unrelieved gloom."[6] This was followed by his third album Landau (2004), which was called "casio pop of the highest order" by Almost Cool.,[7] while XLR8R called its "lounge-crooning soul" an "acquired taste."[8]
Monody and Tin Angel (2010)
After a lengthy gestation period, Mantler's fourth record, Monody, was released by Tomlab and UK-based Tin Angel Records in May 2010. Largely produced by longtime collaborator Zack G, the album also featured production contributions from Leon Taheny (Final Fantasy, Bruce Peninsula) and Jeremy Greenspan (Junior Boys), who named Cummings as "the best songwriter in Canada,"[9] as well as brass arrangements by Owen Pallett.[10] A mixture of solo, electronic-based and acoustic band recordings. the album was noted by The Line of Best Fit for not being "an album that was designed to leap out at the listener," but which did have some "buried musical treasures."[11] Exclaim! pronounced it to be "teeming with slow jams",[10] while NOW called it "outsider easy listening music" that was "both cool and uncool" and mentioned that Cummings had "long felt like a Toronto music scene secret".[12]
Marker Starling (2012–present)
Following an appearance at South by Southwest in 2010, Cummings shot the video for the song "Breaking Past the Day" in Austin, Texas with director Colin Medley.[13] In 2011 Cummings was invited by TIFF Bell Lightbox to curate a film program for their Free Screen series, "Mantler's Visual Music", which included a live performance.[14] In 2012 Cummings opened for Yo La Tengo at the Toronto Underground Cinema as part of the Images Festival.[1] In 2013 the video for the song "Author", directed by Álvaro Giron, was praised by music writer Carl Wilson, who noted the song lyrics' "acrobatic" quality.[15] In 2015, Cummings released his first album under his new band name Marker Starling, Rosy Maze, which was praised by Matthew Horton in the NME for its "timeless quality." This was followed in 2016 by the all-covers record I'm Willing, which Peter Ellman in Exclaim! noted for its "mellow, Sunday afternoon […] feel." In 2017 Cummings' third album as Marker Starling, Anchors and Ampersands, was released, leading AllMusic's Tim Sendra to proclaim it "truly a treat for lovers of soft pop."[16]
Collaborations
Cummings contributed arrangements and wurlitzer to the song "First and Last" on Maylee Todd's 2013 album Escapology.[17] His wurlitzer also appears on Junior Boys' 2009 song "Hazel" from the album Begone Dull Care,[18] and Devon Sproule's 2011 song "The Warning Bell" from the album I Love You, Go Easy.[19] He also served as a musical director for the Canadia dell'Arte Theatre Troupe between 1998 and 2002.[2] His voice and lyrics were featured on four songs ("Try Though We Might", "Chain of Command", "Breaking Formation" and "One Human Minute") on Von Spar's Streetlife (2014). He contributed Wurlitzer backing to another Junior Boys track in their 2016 cover of Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love." On I'm Willing (2016) he performed duets with both Laetitia Sadier (of Stereolab) and Nina Savary. He contributed a song, "Deep Background" to Find Me Finding You by Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble (2017). He played keyboards in the bands Matias (2005-2010) and Hank (2007-present), for which he also provided string arrangements on the records The Luck of the Singers (2009) and Showers of Happiness (2015).
Discography
Albums
- Doin' It All (Le Systeme, 2000)
- Sadisfaction (Tomlab, 2002)
- Landau (Tomlab, 2004)
- Monody (Tomlab/Tin Angel/Blocks Recording Club, 2010)
- Rosy Maze (Tin Angel, 2015)
- I'm Willing (Tin Angel, 2016 - covers album)
- Anchors & Ampersands (Tin Angel, 2017)
EPs
- Childman (Tin Angel, 2009)
- I Guarantee You A Good Time (Tin Angel, 2011)
Compilations
- Fortune Smiled Again (Windbell, 2011)
References
- ^ a b "Toronto Film Scene interview". Thetfs.ca. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ a b "Mantler - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ a b "Doin' It All - Mantler - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Boles, Benjamin (March 16, 2006). "Mantler piece". Nowtoronto.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Exclaim!: "Sadisfaction review". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Mantler: Sadisfaction Album Review - Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Mantler - Landau - almost cool music review". Almostcool.org. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ XLR8R: Landau review Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Under The Influence: Junior Boys It's All True". Stereogum.com. July 22, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ a b "Exclaim!: Monody review". Exclaim.cxa. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Mantler – Monody". Thelineofbestfit.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Boles, Benjamin (April 15, 2010). "Mantler". Nowtoronto.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Torontoist (July 20, 2011). "Sound Tracks: "Breaking Past the Day" by Mantler". Torontoist.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ TIFF Originals (March 21, 2011). "The Free Screen: Mantler's Visual Music". YouTube. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Carl's Tuesday Musics: Marker Starling, "Author"". Backtotheworld.net. January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Marker Starling I'm Willing". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Maylee Todd - Escapology". Discogs. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care". Discogs. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Devon Sproule - I Love You, Go Easy". Discogs. Retrieved November 30, 2018.