Colin Meloy

Colin Patrick Henry Meloy ( born October 5, 1974 in Helena, Montana, United States) is the lead singer and songwriter of the folk-rock band The Decemberists from Portland, Oregon. In addition to singing, he plays acoustic guitar, twelve-string guitar, electric guitar, bouzouki and percussion. In 2004 Meloy wrote a 160- page book about the third album by The Replacements Let It Be, as part of the 33 ⅓ series.

Personal

Meloy was born on October 5, 1974 in Helena, Montana. His sister is Maile Meloy, an author who frequently writes for The New Yorker. He first attended the University of Oregon before at the University of Montana - Missoula went, where he received his degree in Creative Writing. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Portland, where he met his future band members Jenny Conlee and Nate Query. Prior to founding The Decemberists, Meloy was the lead singer and songwriter of Happy Cactus and Tarkio, both indie / folk bands from Montana. On 24 February 2006, he got together with his wife Carson Ellis, who has the same birthday, son. With two and a half was diagnosed with autism in her son. Ellis is also a graphic designer for The Decemberists.

2011 he published his first novel Wildwood, which was illustrated by his wife.

Musical career

In 2005, Meloy completed his first solo tour to self-published EP Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey, which includes six Morrissey cover to promote his. There were produced only 1,000 copies and sold only during the tour. Meloy led a second solo tour in January 2006 and played there together with Laura Veirs and Amy Annelle. On this tour he sold an EP with covers of Shirley Collins. This tour later served as the basis for a live album.

Meloy contributed a bonus track online for Lavender Diamonds album Imagine Our ​​Love. He played a solo version of Oh No.

Another U.S. tour, he performed in April 2008. At the same time brought Meloy his first live album, Colin Meloy Sings Live!, The label Kill Rock Stars, on the market. Singer- songwriter Laura Gibson played before his performances. Sold As with previous EPs Meloy Colin Meloy Sings EP Sam Cooke, a collection of five Sam Cooke covers, only during the tour.

Solo discography

• Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey (2005)
• Colin Meloy Sings Shirley Collins ( 2006)
• Colin Meloy Sings Sam Cooke (2008)

• Colin Meloy Sings Live! (2008)

Meloy sang on the songs Cemetery Row and Twilight Distillery The Minus 5 s eponymous album from 2006. Meloy coverte also by Elliott Smith Clementine the song for a compilation of artists from Portland, Oregon, a children's foundation. Mid-2006, he contributed the track Lazy Little Ada for the Kill Rock Stars compilation The Sound the Hare Heard. In 2007, Meloy lent his voice to a character in the U.S. animated series Lil ' Bush. Together with Charlie Salas - Humara, he appeared in the music video for A Pillar of Salt by The Thermals. 2011 Colin Meloy had a guest appearance in the comedy series Portlandia as a band member of Echo Echo ( Ep 5/1).