The Uprights
The Uprights is the one man solo project of Jake Witt,(featured independent artist on Barsuk Records' website 2002). Influences: The flaming Lips, Postal Service, Radiohead.
The Uprights sound is a mix of melodic, driven, lush electro-rock and sparse ambient soundscapes using guitar, synths, electronics and vocals. The Uprights blend the intimacy and emotion of a singer/ song-writer with electronic beats and samples creating the dynamic instrumentation of a full, high-energy band.
The Upright's latest release "It's Electric" has been critically acclaimed as "underground pop as pretty as you'll hear.http://www.the-uprights.com
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
With the disbanding of Jake's previous project The Whip, he began work on The Uprights in the summer of 2003. After attempting to incorporate other musicians into The Uprights, Jake realized that this material could be just as effective as a one man act. (Jake is also a contol freak and wanted the freedom to write and build all aspects of the music and blend varying styles). The Uprights attempt to utilize technology to push the traditional role of the singer/songwriter into new territory.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
The Uprights have toured extensively around the Midwest, as well as having toured through Northern Europe. The Uprights have played with acts such as Don Caballero (Touch and Go), and Stylex (Action Driver) have been the subject of national coverage in The Stranger, City Beat and the Cincinnati Enquirer and can be heard on KEXP FM and WOXY 97X internet radio. The Uprights Recently relocated from Cincinnati, OH to Seattle, WA and can be seen playing at venues like The Crocodile Cafe and Rendezvous.
Your musical influences
The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, Postal Service, Enon,Devo, Kraftwerk, Styrofoam, Morr Musik, The Unicorns, John vanderslice, Built to Spill, Aqueduct, Death cab For Cutie, My Bloody Valentine, Of Montreal,M83,Stereolab, Sigur Ros, Electro, IDM
What equipment do you use?
laptop, sampler, toys, multi-speed tape machines, Keyboards, Reason 2.5,
Anything else?
I also play drums in Seattle based band Romance. Check out our Soundclick page.
I also play keys and vocals with Matthew Shaw
http://www.mattshaw.us
