Fences (band)

Fences is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Christopher Mansfield, guitarist Benjamin Greenspan, bassist and vocalist Lindsey Starr and drummer Elliott Garm Chaffee. They released their debut studio album Fences in 2010 and Lesser Oceans in 2015.

Fences
OriginSeattle, Washington
Genres
Years active2010–present
LabelsElektra
Members
  • Christopher Mansfield
  • Benjamin Greenspan
  • Lindsey Starr
  • Elliott Garm Chaffee
Websitefencesmusic.com

History

Christopher Mansfield was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, the youngest in a family of ten children. He attended Berklee College of Music.[1]

In 2009, his debut EP, Ultimate Puke, was discovered via Myspace by Sara Quin of popular Canadian indie band Tegan & Sara. Quin ended up producing, recording and adding vocals to his self-titled debut album, Fences, released on September 28, 2010.[2] Fences went on to make the SPIN magazine's year-end list of "Albums You May Have Missed" in 2010.[3]

Mansfield had also caught the attention of Seattle rapper Macklemore, who came across his performance from Songs for eating and drinking, a collective of Seattle musicians who dine together and share music written specifically for that event.

In late 2010 and early 2011, Fences toured in support of punk rock band Against Me! and in July 2011, the band toured with indie pop band Hellogoodbye. In August 2011, Mansfield collaborated with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on "Otherside" (Remix), and he also co-wrote "Ten Thousand Hours" from Macklemore’s 2012 album The Heist, along with the vocals of Fences bassist Lindsey Starr.[4]

In 2013, Fences was signed to Elektra Records. "When I heard Chris Mansfield's demos for this album, I knew I had to work with him," said Elektra president Jeff Castelaz. "The songs he and Fences cohort Benjamin Greenspan created for Lesser Oceans capture those moments that pass most of us by in our hectic lives."

On July 29, 2014, Mansfield released a new single titled "Arrows" in collaboration with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, along with the announcement of Lesser Oceans. The single reached number one on Billboard Magazine's Emerging Artists chart. Lesser Oceans was released on March 10, 2015, and features production by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, Jacquire King (Of Monsters and Men) and Ryan Lewis.

Personal life

Christopher Mansfield has openly mentioned his sobriety on his blog and Twitter account. In an interview with a Seattle publication, he discusses the time he spent in rehab, saying "I also came to terms with the fact I cannot drink like other people. I know I put a lot about it in the music of Fences and have an image of being that kind of person. The 'drunk tortured artist.' It is total bullshit! In reality, I was blowing any chances I may have of ever touring or recording a real record or meeting any goals short or long."[5]

Band members
  • Christopher Mansfield – vocals, guitar
  • Benjamin Greenspan – guitar, keyboard
  • Lindsey Starr – bass, vocals
  • Elliott Garm Chaffee – drums

Discography

Fences

Release date: September 28, 2010

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Boys Around Here"3:04
2."Girls With Accents"2:58
3."Hands"3:13
4."My Girl the Horse"4:31
5."Fires"3:17
6."The Same Tattoos"2:55
7."From Roses"2:57
8."Sadie"3:29
9."Your Bones"3:14
10."From Russia With..."2:26

Lesser Oceans

Release date: March 10, 2015

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Songs About Angels"3:02
2."The Lake"3:23
3."Dogs At the Table"3:08
4."Arrows" (featuring Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)3:55
5."Running Off the Gods"2:15
6."Sunburns"3:49
7."Dusty Beds"2:43
8."My Mountain Is Cold"4:02
9."Lesser Oceans"3:03
10."Temple Dreaming"4:20

FAILURE SCULPTURES

Release date: June 21, 2019

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."A MISSION"3:30
2."PAPER ROUTE"3:18
3."SAME BLUES"3:10
4."BRASS BAND"3:24
5."THE PARK"3:22
6."WOODEN DOVE"3:29
7."FAILURE SCULPTURES"4:47
8."LILLIA"3:14
9."WAR KID"3:24
10."GOD MUSIC"3:33

Bright Soil

Release date: September 15, 2023

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Hell"4:52
2."No One"3:19
3."Thin Legs"2:58
4."Bright Soil" (featuring Wesley Schultz)3:32
5."Werewolf Palm"3:17
6."Sioux City"3:10
7."Blue Floral"3:57
8."Sun Falls"3:20
9."Church Birds"2:56
10."Swim Team"3:48

Extended plays
  • Ultimate Puke (April 1, 2008)
  • To the Tall Trembling Trees (Jan 1, 2016)
  • Wide Eyed Elk Ensemble (April 30, 2021)

Singles
Year Song Album
2010 "Girls With Accents"[6] Fences
"The Same Tattoos (Sabzi Remix)"[7]
2011 "Marketplace"[8] Non-album singles
2014 "Arrows" (featuring Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)[9] Lesser Oceans
"Songs About Angels"[10]
2016 "Buffalo Feet"[11] To the Tall Trembling Trees
2021 "Globe"
(with Billy Strings)		 Non-album single

References
  1. Barry Walters (2010-09-09). "Fences, 'Fences' (Onto/ADA)". spin.com. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
  2. JESS GITNER (2010-11-18). "Fences: Even In Hope, Forever Bummed". npr.org. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
  3. Goodman, William (13 December 2010). "10 Best Albums You Might Have Missed This Year". spin.com. Spin. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  4. Megan Buerger (2014-07-28). "Exclusive: Fences Teams Up with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on New Single 'Arrows'". billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
  5. Grandy, Eric (2009-11-19). "Bad Boy Gone Good Chris Mansfield Gets His Shit Together with Fences". thestranger.com/. The Stranger. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  6. "Fences – Girls With Accents (Clean)" – via www.discogs.com.
  7. "Fences – The Same Tattoos (Sabzi Remix)" – via www.discogs.com.
  8. "Fences / Mansions – Fences / Mansions" – via www.discogs.com.
  9. "Fences Feat. Macklemore – Arrows" – via www.discogs.com.
  10. "Fences – Songs About Angels" – via www.discogs.com.
  11. "Fences Announces New EP 'To The Tall Trembling Trees'". July 22, 2016.
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