Wikipedia

The Six Parts Seven

The Six Parts Seven is an American post-rock band formerly based in Kent, Ohio.[1] The band was founded in 1995 by brothers Allen and Jay Karpinski (playing guitar and drums, respectively), who had earlier played with Old Hearts Club, a band of similar style including vocals. In 1998, Tim Gerak was added to the core member line-up, playing guitar and also credited with additional engineering on the band's later recordings.

The Six Parts Seven
The Six Parts Seven performing live in 2006.
The Six Parts Seven performing live in 2006.
Background information
OriginKent, Ohio, U.S.
GenresPost-rock
Years active1995–2008 (Hiatus)
LabelsSuicide Squeeze

Most of the group's music is instrumental, featuring multiple "clean" (undistorted) electric guitars, with electric bass and drums, as well as electric lap steel guitar, viola, and occasionally piano, vibraphone, or trumpet.[1][2] Rather than relying primarily on strummed chords, songs are generally built by combining single-note melodic lines.

The band has been through a plethora of line-up changes, and minor positions in the band have proved to be a revolving chair, while retaining the core force of the Karpinski brothers and Tim Gerak. Former vibraphonist Eric Koltnow left the band after the release of Everywhere and Right Here, as well as former lap steel player Ben Vaughan after the birth of his first child. Minor positions, such as the newly-added trumpet, have been filled by members of other bands from the Akron, Ohio area.

The Six Parts Seven's name is based on a quote from Virginia Governor William Berkeley in 1676, "How miserable that man is that governs a people where six parts of seven at least are poor, indebted, discontented and armed." A recent interview with another band member claims the name derives from a childhood game between brothers Jay and Allen.[3] Although its name is similar, The Six Parts Seven should not be confused with the British band Six by Seven.

The group has toured the United States several times and performed in March 2006 at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Since the early 21st century its music has been used frequently by National Public Radio's All Things Considered news program as transition music.[4] Group leader Allen Karpinski was interviewed about the group's music on the same program in September 2004.[5]

In 2024, the band released a collaborative album with Goodmorning Valentine, called Kissing Distance. It had originally been recorded in two weekends in 2006.[6][7]

Members

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Current

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  • Allen Karpinski - guitar, electric bass, keyboards
  • Jay Karpinski - drums
  • Tim Gerak - guitar, banjo, lap steel, samples
  • Mike Tolan - electric bass guitar, guitar, organ, banjo
  • Steve Clements - grand piano, keyboards
  • Jake Trombetta - electric lap steel guitar, guitar, piano
  • Jennifer Court - clarinet

Former

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  • Brad Visker - electric bass
  • Ben Vaughan - electric lap steel guitar
  • Eric Koltnow - vibraphone
  • Matt Haas - electric lap steel guitar
  • Mary Mazzer - electric lap steel guitar
  • Heather Wiker - viola

Discography

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Studio albums

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EPs

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Remix albums

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  • 2003 - Lost Notes from Forgotten Songs CD (Suicide Squeeze)

Unofficial releases

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  • 1995 - The Six Parts Seven Cassette
  • 2001 - Untitled EP (Solo Singles Series) CD (Troubleman Unlimited)

Compilations

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The Six Parts Seven: A Conversation with Allen Karpinski". WBRU. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  2. ^ Crock, Jason. "Six Parts Seven: Casually Smashed to Pieces". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  3. ^ "Muse: A one-part series on Six Parts Seven - Arts & Entertainment". 2007-09-08. Archived from the original on 2007-09-08. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  4. ^ "The Six Parts Seven". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  5. ^ "Six Parts Seven's Harmonic Rock". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  6. ^ "Six Parts Seven and Goodmorning Valentine Announce New LP "Kissing Distance," Share "Meditation in D"". FLOOD. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
  7. ^ Smith, Jonathan (2024-03-18). "Six Parts Seven / Good Morning Valentine "Kissing Distance"". Americana UK. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
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Reviews

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Listening

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