Communist Daughter

History

Communist Daughter was founded in 2009 by singer and songwriter Johnny Solomon in Prescott, Wisconsin. Solomon moved from Saint Paul to Prescott in 2007 after the breakup of his marriage and his band Friends Like These due to addiction, mental health issues, and a spell in jail. There he took over the Boxcar restaurant, and began writing and recording under the Communist Daughter moniker, taking the name from a Neutral Milk Hotel song. He assembled a band of Twin Cities musicians: bass player Adam Switlick, formerly the guitarist with Friends Like These, keyboard player Jonathan Blaseg, and drummer Steve Yasgar, formerly of A Whisper in the Noise and Swiss Army. They recorded a four song demo that included the track "Not The Kid", and added singer Molly Moore whom Solomon met when she visited his restarurant. Communist Daughter signed to Grain Belt Records and began recording the debut album Soundtrack to the End. At this time they added guitar player Al Weiers formerly of Faux Jean and the Odd. Steve Yasgar left the band and they finished recording the album with drummer Christopher McGuire (12 Rods, Kid Dakota).

In March 2010 the single "Not The Kid" reached No. 1 on KCMP 89.3 The Current's charts. Steve Yasgar returned to the band, and keyboard player Lee VanLith, who played with Yasgar in A Whisper in the Noise, joined the band. Soundtrack to the End was released in April 2010 on Grain Belt Records.

In late 2010, after a performance at the CMJ Music Festival that Solomon described as a "disaster," Solomon put the band on hold and checked into rehab at Hazelden treatment facility in Center City, Minnesota, for treatment of alcohol and meth addiction and bipolar disorder. While he was in treatment, two songs from Soundtrack To The End ("Speed of Sound" and "Soundtrack to the End") were featured in Season 7 Episode 14 (P.Y.T.) of the ABC show Grey's Anatomy.

In 2011, after leaving treatment, Johnny moved back to Saint Paul. Steve Yasgar and Lee VanLith left the band in April 2011 and Ian Prince joined on drums. They remixed Soundtrack to the End for vinyl and rerecorded some of the drum tracks with Prince after some of the original tapes were lost. They then recorded the EP Something Wicked This Way Comes with a limited release in September 2011.

In 2012, Dan DeMuth replaced Ian Prince on drums, and keyboard and guitar player Dillon Marchus replaced keyboard player Jonathan Blaseg. In July they released Lions & Lambs and toured nationally, including the CMJ Music Festival and several dates with Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit.

In 2013 the band began efforts to record their second album with Kevin Bowe as a co-producer. The band was featured in Paste Magazine's Best of What's Next 20issue (#105) in August 2013.

In September 2013 singer Molly Moore and Johnny Solomon married.

The band continues working on a second album, and in March 2014 they played the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

In July 2014, Dan DeMuth left the band and Yasgar rejoined.

Musical style

The band's music has been described as folk rock, folk pop, and indie pop. Solomon's vocals have been compared with Andrew Bird.

Band members

Members of Communist Daughter are:

Former members

Albums

EPs

Music videos