The New Pornographers Explained

The New Pornographers are a Canadian indie rock band, formed in 1997 in Vancouver. Presented as a musical collective and supergroup^[1] of singer-songwriters and musicians from multiple projects, the band has released nine studio albums to date. The band have received critical acclaim for their use of multiple vocalists and songwriters, as well as for the elements of power pop incorporated into their music.^[2] Pitchfork has described the band's sound as "peppy, gleeful, headstrong guitar pop",^[3] while Stereogum has retrospectively praised the band's debut album Mass Romantic as "one of the greatest and most immediate power pop albums ever rendered".

History

The New Pornographers' name was chosen by Carl Newman, who has said that he came up with it after watching a Japanese film called The Pornographers.^[4] The band has released nine albums to date: Mass Romantic (2000), Electric Version (2003), Twin Cinema (2005), Challengers (2007), Together (2010), Brill Bruisers (2014), Whiteout Conditions (2017), In the Morse Code of Brake Lights (2019), and Continue as a Guest (2023). A live album recorded on their 2006 tour is available only at concerts and on the band's website. In 2005, the band was the subject of Reginald Harkema's documentary film Better Off in Bed.^[5]

The New Pornographers' first four albums each placed in the top 40 on The Village Voices Pazz & Jop year-end poll of hundreds of music reviewers. From 2000 to 2006, either a New Pornographers' album or a solo album from one of the band's members ranked in the top 40 on the list each year.^[6] In 2007, Blender magazine ranked the New Pornographers' first album, Mass Romantic, the 24th best indie album of all time.^[7] In 2009, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the band's second studio album, Electric Version, No. 79 in the "100 Best Albums of the Decade".^[8]

All of the New Pornographers' original members were prominent within the Vancouver music scene prior to forming the band. Kathryn Calder, who is also Newman's niece, joined the band in 2005 largely as a live replacement for Neko Case, whose solo career often left her unavailable to perform with the band. Calder's first lead vocals for the band were on 2007's Challengers, singing the lead on "Failsafe" and sharing the lead with Newman on "Adventures in Solitude".

In 2009, the New Pornographers contributed a cover of the Destroyer song "Hey, Snow White" to the AIDS benefit album Dark Was the Night, produced by the Red Hot Organization. The band released their fifth album, Together, on May 4, 2010, on Matador Records. The album includes collaborations from St. Vincent, Beirut's Zach Condon, and Okkervil River's Will Sheff.^[9]

In 2012, the New Pornographers contributed a cover of the song "Think About Me" for the Fleetwood Mac tribute CD called Just Tell Me That You Want Me released by Hear Music. The band's sixth album, Brill Bruisers, was released on August 26, 2014.^[10] The album was their highest charting to date in the United States, peaking at #13 on the Billboard 200.

On January 26, 2017, the New Pornographers announced their seventh album, Whiteout Conditions, would be released on April 7. The album was preceded by the single "High Ticket Attractions".^[11] The album is the first to feature drummer Joe Seiders as a full-time member after replacing drummer Kurt Dahle in mid-2014. It is also the first New Pornographers album to not feature Dan Bejar.^[12] Newman, however, went on the record to note that Bejar's absence did not mean he had left the band entirely; telling Stereogum:

On November 29, 2018, A.C. Newman announced via Twitter that he had begun work on a future New Pornographers album.^[13] On August 2, 2019, the band announced via Twitter that it would release its new album, In the Morse Code of Brake Lights, on September 27, and released its first single from the album, "Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile".^[14] In a press release for the album, Dan Bejar is described as a "former (and possibly future) member" of the band. The new press photos for the band include vocalist/violinist Simi Stone, officially inducting her into the band after being an auxiliary touring member since 2015.

In July 2021, the band announced a North American tour where they would play Mass Romantic and Twin Cinema in full across simultaneous nights, as well as a reissue of Mass Romantic on vinyl. This announcement also confirmed the return of Bejar to the band, as well as the departure of both Thurier and Stone.^[15]

On January 9, 2023, A.C. Newman announced via Twitter that the band had moved to a new label, Merge Records, alongside announcing the band's ninth album Continue as a Guest, a single from the album, "Really Really Light", and a tour starting in April. The band's press photos confirmed Bejar's second departure from the group – although he has a co-writing credit on "Really Really Light".^{[16] [17]}

Members

Current members

Members' other projects in brackets

• Neko Case – vocals (solo artist, Maow, The Corn Sisters, Cub) (1997–present)
• John Collins – bass (the Evaporators, Destroyer, Thorsen) (1997–present)
• Carl Newman – vocals, guitar (solo artist (as A.C. Newman), Superconductor, Zumpano, Thee Crusaders) (1997–present)
• Todd Fancey – lead guitar, backing vocals (solo artist (as Fancey), Limblifter) (2003–present)
• Kathryn Calder – keyboards, backing vocals, guitar (solo artist, Immaculate Machine, Frontperson) (2005–present)
• Joe Seiders – drums, backing vocals (Beat Club) (2014–present)

Current touring musicians

• Nora O'Connor – backing vocals, percussion (The Flat Five) (2021–present)
• Adam Schatz – saxophone, synthesizer (Japanese Breakfast) (2023–present)^{[18] [19]}

Former members

• Fisher Rose – drums (Destroyer, A.C. Newman) (1997–1999)
• Kurt Dahle – drums, backing vocals (Limblifter, the Age of Electric) (1999–2014)
• Simi Stone – violin, backing vocals, percussion (solo artist, Suffrajett) (2019–2021; touring musician 2015–2019)^[20]
• Blaine Thurier – keyboards, synthesizer (independent filmmaker, Thee Crusaders) (1997–2021)
• Dan Bejar – vocals, guitar (Destroyer, Swan Lake, Hello, Blue Roses) (1997–2017, 2021–2022)

Former touring musicians

• Lindsay "Coco" Hames – backing vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar (The Ettes) (2014)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18.25em;"

Details	Peak chart positions
CAN [21]	AUS Hit. [22]	SCO [23]	UK [24]	UK Indie [25]	US [26]	US Indie [27]	US Rock [28]
Mass Romantic	Released: November 21, 2000 Label: Mint Formats: CD, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Electric Version	Released: May 6, 2003 Label: Mint/Matador Formats: CD, LP	—	—	—	—	—	196	12	—
Twin Cinema	Released: August 23, 2005 Label: Mint/Matador Formats: CD, LP	—	—	—	—	—	44	5	—
Challengers	Released: August 21, 2007 Label: Matador Formats: CD, LP	—	—	—	156	13	34	4	10
Together	Released: May 4, 2010 Label: Matador Formats: CD, LP	14	16	—	168	18	18	2	5
Brill Bruisers	Released: August 26, 2014 Label: Matador Formats: CD, LP, cassette, streaming	14	3	94	132	32	13	2	3
Whiteout Conditions	Released: April 7, 2017 Label: Concord Records Formats: CD, LP, streaming	82	17	—	—	—	35	—	6
In the Morse Code of Brake Lights	Released: September 27, 2019 Label: Concord Records Formats: CD, LP, streaming	—	—	—	—	—	144	—	26
Continue as a Guest	Released: March 31, 2023 Label: Merge Records Formats: CD, LP, streaming	—	—	—	—	45	—	—	—
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

• Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) (2005)
• Live! (2006)
• LIVE from SoHo (iTunes Exclusive) (2008)

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"

Year	Peak chart positions						Album
CAN Rock [29]	AUT [30]	US AAA [31]	US Rock Air [32]	MEX Air [33]	UK
"Letter from an Occupant"[34]	2002	—	—	—	—	—	139	Mass Romantic
"High Art, Local News"	2005	—	—	—	—	—	—	Twin Cinema
"Twin Cinema"[35]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Use It"		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Sing Me Spanish Techno"		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Challengers"[36]	2007	—	—	—	—	—	—	Challengers
"My Rights Versus Yours"[37]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"The Spirit of Giving"[38]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Myriad Harbour"[39]	2008	—	—	—	—	—	—	Challengers
"Mutiny, I Promise You"[40]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Hey, Snow White"[41]	2009	—	46	—	—	—	—	Dark Was the Night
"Your Hands (Together)"[42]	2010	43	—	—	—	16	—	Together
"Crash Years"[43]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Togetherness"[44]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Moves"[45]	2011	—	—	—	—	—	—	Together
"Up in the Dark"[46]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Brill Bruisers"[47]	2014	24	—	—	—	—	—	Brill Bruisers
"War on the East Coast"[48]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Dancehall Domine"[49]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Champions of Red Wine"[50]	2015	—	—	—	—	—	—
"High Ticket Attractions"[51]	2017	27	—	5	49	—	—	Whiteout Conditions
"This Is the World of the Theatre"[52]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Whiteout Conditions"[53]		—	—	24	—	—	—
"Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile"[54]	2019	—	—	12	—	—	—	In the Morse Code of Brake Lights
"The Surprise Knock"[55]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"One Kind of Solomon"[56]		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Really Really Light"[57]	2023	—	—	24	—	—	—	Continue as a Guest
"Angelcover"		—	—	–	—	—	—
"Pontius Pilate's Home Movies"		—	—	–	—	—	—
"—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Contributions with non-LP songs

• (2002) – "Your Daddy Don't Know"
• Matador at Fifteen (2004) – "Graceland"
• Dark Was the Night (2009) – "Hey, Snow White"
• (2011) - "Hey, Snow White"
• (2012) – "Think About Me"

Other contributions

• Queer as Folk (2000) – "Mass Romantic"
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) – "Letter from an Occupant"
• Men with Brooms (2002) – "Mass Romantic"
• CBC Radio 3 Sessions, Vol. 1 (2004) – "The Fake Headlines"
• (2004) – "Mass Romantic"
• The Office (Season 2, Episode 7: "The Client") (2005) – "Use It"
• Weeds (2005) – "The Laws Have Changed"
• Waiting... (2005) – "Electric Version"
• Gilmore Girls (2004) – "The Laws Have Changed"
• Gilmore Girls (2005) – "Twin Cinema"
• The Hour (Main Title Theme Season 3) (2006) – "Use It"
• Chuck (Season 1, Episode 2: "Chuck Versus the Helicopter") (2007) – "Challengers"
• Heroes (Season 2, Episode 6: "The Line") (2007) – "All for Swinging You Around"
• Rock Band (2007) – "Electric Version", "Use It", "All of the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth" (DLC)
• University of Phoenix commercial (2007) – "Bleeding Heart Show"
• Stone of Destiny (2008) – "Mutiny, I Promise You"
• NBA playoffs (2008) – "Use It"
• Numb3rs (2008) – "Challengers"
• Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Series 2, Episode 2) (2008) – "Adventures in Solitude"
• Management (2009) – "Adventures in Solitude", "All the Old Showstoppers"
• Ugly Betty (2010) – "Adventures in Solitude"
• The Good Wife (Season 2, Episode 13) (2011) – "Testament to Youth in Verse"
• Amazon Kindle commercial – "Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk"
• T-Mobile commercial (2011) – "Moves"
• Hyundai commercial (Canada) – "Moves"
• Go On (opening credits) (2012) – "Moves"
• Between (Season 1, Episode 1) (2015) – "Moves"
• Speechless (Season 1, Episode 22: "M-A-- MAY-JAY") (2017) – "Dancehall Domine"
• Blindspot (Season 3, Episode 1) – "The Bleeding Heart Show"
• Daybreak (Season 1, Episode 9) – "Adventures in Solitude"

See also

• Canadian rock
• List of bands from British Columbia
• Music of Vancouver

External links

• Official site
• Matador Records label website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bracy . Timothy and Elizabeth . The 10 Best New Pornographers Songs . Stereogum . October 11, 2013 . Stereogum Media . 9 January 2023.
2. Web site: Wolk . Douglas . The New Pornographers, 'Twin Cinema' (Matador) . SPIN Magazine . SPIN . 9 January 2023.
3. Web site: Juzwiak . Rich . The New Pornographers: Mass Romantic . Pitchfork . Pitchfork Media . 9 January 2023.
4. News: The New Pornographers: Canadian Blockbuster . Handler. Shane . November 1, 2005 . September 27, 2007 . Glide Magazine . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071014111806/http://www.glidemagazine.com/Articles/47784/The-New-Pornographers:-Canadian-Blockbuster.html . October 14, 2007.
5. "Harkema's road rockumentary inspired by the Rolling Stones". Edmonton Journal, July 22, 2005.
6. Web site: Pazz & Jop awards from . robertchristgau.com . July 25, 2009.
7. Web site: 100 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums of all time, No. 30 – No. 21, from . Blender.com . November 15, 2007 . July 25, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080409014151/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2981 . April 9, 2008 .
8. News: Rolling Stone lists Top 100 of decade . CBC News . December 10, 2009. October 2, 2010.
9. Web site: Lindsay. Andrew. The New Pornographers reveal album details. Stereokill.net. February 22, 2010. October 1, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528224325/http://stereokill.net/2010/02/the-new-pornographers-reveal-album-details/. May 28, 2010.
10. Web site: The New Pornographers Announce New Album Brill Bruisers, Share Title Track, Tour . . June 10, 2014 . May 14, 2016 . Gordon . Jeremy.
11. Web site: Helman. Peter. The New Pornographers – "High Ticket Attractions". Stereogum. January 27, 2017. January 26, 2017.
12. Web site: New Pornographers Announce 'Whiteout Conditions' LP, Release 'High Ticket Attractions' Single . Spin.com . February 4, 2017 . January 27, 2017 . Jeff . Giles.
13. ACNewman . 1068318040775897089 . Hey, working on a new @TheNewPornos album everybody..
14. The New Pornographers Announce New Album, Share Lead Single . . August 2, 2019 . Claire . Shaffer . October 30, 2021.
15. Web site: Minsker . Evan . The New Pornographers Announce Mass Romantic Reissue, Full Album Tour . July 13, 2021 . . July 14, 2021.
16. ACNewman . 1612444171570233345 . A few things: 1) ⁦@TheNewPornos⁩ signed to ⁦@mergerecords! 2) New LP 'Continue as a Guest' out 3/31! 3) New song 'Really Really Light' available today! 4) New tour starts in April! 5) Can you buy tickets? Probably! I'll post a link soon, or if not me, someone!.
17. Web site: Monroe . Jazz . The New Pornographers Announce Album, Share Song: Listen . Pitchfork . January 9, 2023 . Pitchfork Media . 9 January 2023.
18. News: Walters . Grant . Concert Preview: The New Pornographers at Newport Music Hall . 22 May 2023 . Columbus Underground . 8 May 2023.
19. News: Japanese Breakfast expand their palate; play songs from . 22 May 2023 . www.thecurrent.org . en.
20. Web site: AC Newman on the last bit of the New Pornographers' 'Brill Bruisers' tour from . nuvo.net . July 14, 2015 . Katherine . Cohen . July 18, 2015.
21. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the new pornographers|chart=all}} US Billboard Charts]. . July 14, 2009 .
22. Peaks on the ARIA Hitseekers chart:
    • Together: Web site: ARIA Report: Issue 1280. http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20140915000119/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20140915-0953/ARIA1280.pdf. dead. September 15, 2014. ARIA. November 7, 2023.
    • Brill Bruisers: Web site: ARIA Report: Issue 1054. http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100517060223/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20100511-1124/Issue1054.pdf. dead. May 17, 2010. ARIA. November 15, 2023.
    • Whiteout Conditions: Web site: ARIA Report: Issue 1418. http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20170508032533/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20170508-0001/Issue1418.pdf. dead. May 8, 2017. ARIA. November 17, 2023.
23. Peaks on the Scottish Albums chart:
    • "Brill Bruisers": Web site: Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100. January 30, 2023. Official Charts Company.
24. Web site: UK Chartlog: Nadanuf – Michael Nyman. zobbel.de . July 14, 2009 .
25. Peaks in UK Independent Albums Chart:
    • Challengers: Web site: Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50. January 30, 2023. Official Charts Company.
    • Together: Web site: Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50. January 30, 2023. Official Charts Company.
    • Brill Bruisers: Web site: Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50. January 30, 2023. Official Charts Company.
    • Continue as a Guest: Web site: Continue as a Guest – The New Pornographers. Official Charts Company. November 7, 2023.
26. The New Pornographers – Chart History: Billboard 200 . Billboard . June 3, 2021.
27. The New Pornographers – Chart History: Independent Albums . Billboard . May 3, 2022.
28. The New Pornographers – Chart History: Rock Albums . Billboard . May 3, 2022.
29. The New Pornographers – Chart History: Canada Rock . Billboard . June 3, 2021.
30. Web site: The New Pornographers – Austrian Charts. austriancharts.at/ . June 3, 2021.
31. The New Pornographers – Chart History: Triple A Airplay . Billboard . June 3, 2021.
32. The New Pornographers – Chart History: Rock Airplay . Billboard . June 3, 2021.
33. The New Pornographers – Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay . Billboard . June 3, 2021.
34. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1283384|pure_url=yes}} Letter from an Occupant > Overview ]. Allmusic . April 16, 2009 .
35. Web site: New New Pornographers: 'Twin Cinema' . Stereogum . May 2, 2005 . June 3, 2021.
36. Web site: Challengers by The New Pornographers on Apple Music. Apple Music. June 3, 2021. June 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605070938/https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/challengers/272045841. dead.
37. Web site: The New Pornographers – "My Rights Versus Yours" . Stereogum . May 29, 2007 . June 3, 2021.
38. Web site: The Spirit of Giving - EP by The New Pornographers on Apple Music. Apple Music. June 3, 2021. June 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210604140409/https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-spirit-of-giving-ep/269018203. dead.
39. Web site: New New Pornographers – "Myriad Harbour" . Stereogum . February 14, 2008 . Amrit . Singh . June 3, 2021.
40. Web site: New New Pornographers – "Mutiny, I Promise You" . Stereogum . September 29, 2008 . Brandon . Stosuy . June 3, 2021.
41. Web site: New New Pornographers – "Hey, Snow White" . Stereogu . February 6, 2009 . Brandon . Stosuy . June 3, 2021.
42. Web site: Your Hands (Together) by The New Pornographers on Apple Music. Apple Music. June 3, 2021. June 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210604055009/https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/your-hands-together/382070733. dead.
43. Web site: Crash Years - Single by The New Pornographers on Apple Music. Apple Music. June 3, 2021. June 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210604133400/https://music.apple.com/us/album/crash-years-single/359472440. dead.
44. Web site: Matador - The New Pornographers . Matador . June 3, 2021.
45. Web site: The New Pornographers – "Moves" . Stereogum . February 7, 2011 . Amrit . Singh . June 3, 2021.
46. Web site: Up in the Dark by The New Pornographers on Apple Music. Apple Music. June 3, 2021. June 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210604133402/https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/up-in-the-dark/451508507. dead.
47. Web site: Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations . All Access Music Group . https://web.archive.org/web/20140727124426/http://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases . July 27, 2014 . dead .
48. Web site: War on the East Coast by The New Pornographers on Apple Music. Apple Music. June 3, 2021. June 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605072443/https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/war-on-the-east-coast/920745872. dead.
49. Web site: The New Pornographers – "Dancehall Domine" . Stereogum . October 1, 2014 . Chris . Deville . June 3, 2021.
50. Web site: The New Pornographers – "Champions Of Red Wine" . Stereogu . June 3, 2021 . May 28, 2015 . Tom . Breihan.
51. Web site: The New Pornographers Announce New Album Whiteout Conditions, Share "High Ticket Attractions" . Spin.com . January 29, 2017 . January 27, 2017 . Anna . Gaca.
52. Web site: The New Pornographers – "This Is the World of the Theater" . Stereogum . June 3, 2021 . February 24, 2017 . Peter . Helman.
53. Web site: Whiteout Conditions by The New Pornographers on Apple Music . Apple Music . June 3, 2021.
54. Web site: Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile by The New Pornographers on Apple Music . Apple Music . June 3, 2021.
55. Web site: The New Pornographers Share New Song "The Surprise Knock": Listen . Stereogum . June 3, 2021 . August 23, 2019 . Tom . Breihan.
56. Web site: The New Pornographers – "One Kind of Solomon" . Stereogum . June 3, 2021 . September 13, 2019 . Tom . Breihan.
57. NME . The New Pornographers announce new album 'Continue as a Guest' and share single 'Really Really Light' . Geraghty . Hollie . January 10, 2023 . January 31, 2023 . en-GB.