Christopher Richard Farren (born April 29, 1986) is an American musician originally from Naples, Florida. He was born in Michigan, where he lived until the age of 7, before relocating to Florida with his family. He is known for his work in the bands Fake Problems and Antarctigo Vespucci and as a solo artist.[1]
Chris Farren | |
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![]() Chris Farren in 2020 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Chris Farren |
Born | April 29, 1986 |
Genres | indie rock, pop punk, punk, indie pop |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, keyboards, drum machine, piano |
Years active | 2007–present |
Labels | Polyvinyl, Big Scary Monsters |
Member of | Antarctigo Vespucci |
Formerly of | Fake Problems |
Career
editIn 2005, Farren formed the indie rock band Fake Problems with local friends in Naples. The band would release 3 studio albums and several EPs before officially breaking up in 2014, following guitarist Casey Lee's departure from the band in 2012.[2][3]
In 2014, Farren began selling a The Smiths parody t-shirt that featured a photo of actor Will Smith, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, and their two children Jaden and Willow. Following an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, in which Fallon gifted Farren's shirt to Will Smith, the shirt became fairly popular online.[4]
After the dissolution of Fake Problems, Farren would go on to release a collaborative EP with Jeff Rosenstock titled Soulmate Stuff as the band Antarctigo Vespucci. Since 2014, Antarctigo Vespucci has released 2 full-length albums and 2 EPs.[5][6]
Farren released an album of all-original Christmas songs titled Like A Gift From God Or Whatever in 2014, with tracks featuring other artists such as Sean Bonnette, Laura Stevenson, and Mae Whitman.[7]
In 2016, Farren released his debut solo album, Can't Die, through SideOneDummy Records.[8][9]
In 2018 and again in 2020, Farren would compose music for two episodes of the Cartoon Network cartoon, Craig of the Creek with the show's composer and Farren's frequent collaborator, Jeff Rosenstock.[10][11]
His second solo album, Born Hot, was released on October 11, 2019 on Polyvinyl Records.[12] In 2019, Farren announced The Born Hot Tour, his first headline tour as a solo musician. The tour began in January 2020 and concluded in February 2020 with a sold out concert in Los Angeles.[13][14]
Discography
editFake Problems
editStudio albums
edit- 2007: How Far Our Bodies Go (Sabot Productions)
- 2009: It's Great to Be Alive (SideOneDummy Records)
- 2010: Real Ghosts Caught on Tape (SideOneDummy Records)
EPs
edit- 2001: Too Much Like Home (For Documentation Only Records)
- 2004: From a Fashion Standpoint (For Documentation Only Records)
- 2005: Oh No! (self-released)
- 2006: Spurs & Spokes (Sabot Productions)
- 2006: Spurs & Spokes/Bull Matador (Sabot Productions)
- 2008: Viking Wizard Eyes Wizard Full Of Lies (Good Friends Records)
- 2013: Sugar EP (Fake Problems)
7" Singles
edit- 2009: Dream Team (SideOneDummy Records)
- 2010: Soulless (SideOneDummy Records)
- 2011: Songs For Teenagers (SideOneDummy Records)
- 2015: Strange Emotions: Holy Attitude (self-released)
Antarctigo Vespucci
editStudio albums
edit- 2015: Leavin' La Vida Loca (Quote Unquote Records)
- 2018: Love in the Time of E-Mail (Polyvinyl Records)
EPs
edit- 2014: Soulmate Stuff (Quote Unquote Records)
- 2014: I'm So Tethered (Quote Unquote Records)
Solo
editStudio albums
edit- 2014: Like A Gift From God Or Whatever (self-released)
- 2016: Can't Die (SideOneDummy Records)
- 2019: Born Hot (Polyvinyl Records)
- 2022: Death Don't Wait (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Polyvinyl Records)
- 2023: Doom Singer (Polyvinyl Records)
7" Singles
edit- 2015: Where U Are (Boyfriend Island Records)
- 2020: FALL IN LOVE2NIGHT / PHANTOM FRIEND (Polyvinyl Records)
Non-Album Singles
edit- 2014: Ducks Fly Together (Chris Farren+Grey Gordon Split)
- 2017: Be There 4 Ya (self-released)
- 2018: The Way That I Love U Has Changed (self-released)
References
edit- ^ Anthony, David. "Chris Farren Announced His Solo Debut With 'Say U Want Me'". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "Fake Problems". Spin. November 13, 2006. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "Listen to Fake Problems' New Seven-Inch, 'Strange Emotions'". www.vice.com. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "Chris Farren Is The Guy Behind The Smiths Parody T-Shirt". SF Weekly. June 18, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ "Jeff Rosenstock & Chris Farren's band Antarctigo Vespucci releasing debut LP (stream the new song "Losing My Mind")". BrooklynVegan. July 14, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew. "Antarctigo Vespucci sign to Polyvinyl, announce tour with Katie Ellen". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Farren, Chris. "Like A Gift From God Or Whatever". Bandcamp. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
- ^ "Chris Farren". SideOneDummy Records. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
- ^ Wade, Cameron (December 9, 2016). "Listen to an Exclusive Stream of Chris Farren's Debut Album, Can't Die". Paste Magazine.
- ^ Chris Farren [@chrisfarren] (April 9, 2018). "Hi! I co-wrote the music for tonight's episode of CRAIG OF THE CREEK "Escape From Family Dinner". Thank you @jeffrosenstock for having me and it was so nice to meet you! [...]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Chris Farren [@chrisfarren] (October 2, 2020). "YAH BABY I composed the music for the big Craig of the Creek half hour Halloween special with my bestie @jeffrosenstock and it's on the Cartoon Network app now! Awoooooooo" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Chris Farren [@chrisfarren] (August 13, 2019). "Born Hot October 11th @Polyvinyl You can pre-order it now on #EarlyBirdEdition vinyl, CD, tape, and absolutely merch items! [...]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Chris Farren [@chrisfarren] (October 3, 2019). "Very very excited to announce the Born Hot tour - my First full headline tour. OMG. [...]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Chris Farren [@chrisfarren] (February 16, 2020). "Thank you so much Los Angeles for a truly incredible night!!! Sodl Out Gig!! I performed perfectly!!!!!!! Look at this frickin video by @ChrisGraue!!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.