The Last Bison

The Last Bison, formerly known as Bison, is an indie folk band that formed in Chesapeake, Virginia. The Last Bison originally dubbed their sound "mountain-top chamber music" combining elements of alternative indie-folk with classical sensibilities. Their first album Quill was released independently in September 2011 and received critical praise noting the band's complex arrangements, refined lyrics and vocal harmonies.[3]

The Last Bison
The Last Bison at the NorVa Theater
The Last Bison at the NorVa Theater
Background information
OriginChesapeake, Virginia
GenresIndie folk,[1] indie rock, folk rock, roots rock
Years active2010–present
LabelsAntiFragile,[2] Universal
Websitewww.thelastbison.com

History

The band initially received airplay on WROX-FM in Norfolk, Virginia.[4][5] James Steele, the station's program director, stated that "Switzerland", the first single from their debut album, prompted the biggest audience response of any tune in his five years at the station.[6] The band was signed to Universal Republic records in 2012, and released 3 projects with the label: the Inheritance EP, the Inheritance album, and the Sleigh Ride EP. The option to continue for another album cycle with Republic was not renewed, and in February 2014 the band became independent. In April 2014 The Last Bison began recording their third full-length album, VA, which was released independently in September 2014. They released an EP, Dorado, in 2015.

Ben Hardesty's (vocals and guitar) songwriting bears sonic resemblance to groups such as Fleet Foxes, Mumford and Sons and The Decemberists.[7] Folkhive stated "Dare I say that [The Last] Bison is to folk what Arcade Fire is to indie rock? Boasting 7 members and a sound seemingly born on the tree covered mountain tops of Virginia [The Last] Bison lays down expansive and yet imminently listenable folk with an original feel I've not experienced in quite some time".[8] The band incorporates traditional folk instruments with a reed organ, percussion and classical strings. Independent Clauses stated "[The Last] Bison's debut album Quill uses the seriousness of Fleet Foxes' grounded sound as a framework, layering strings, bells and more on top. "Iscariot" and "The Woodcutter's Son" have a darkly pastoral bent that recalls pre-The King Is Dead Decemberists."[9] The Last Bison has headlined the Norva Theatre in Norfolk[10] as well as performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.[11] The Daily Press said of Bison's live performance, "The stars of [the] show did not disappoint. Bison skillfully performed complex arrangements and delivered songs with passion and sensitivity [...] [The Last] Bison is a unique musical outfit that creates an unusual energy on stage."[12]

Name change

According to an e-mail sent out by the band on July 20, 2012, they officially changed their name from Bison to The Last Bison to avoid confusion with an identically named band.

Members
  • Ben Hardesty – lead guitar, vocals, percussion[13]
  • Amos Housworth – cello, bass guitar

Previous members
  • Jay Benfante – percussion
  • Teresa Totheroh – violin
  • David Solomon – percussion
  • Dan Hardesty – banjo, mandolin, guitar, backing vocals
  • Annah Housworth – bells, percussion, backing vocals
  • Jonathan Smalt – percussion
  • Andrew Benfante – reed organ, keyboards, guitar

Discography
  • Quill (2011, independent)
Recorded in two days live at Minimum Wage Recording in Richmond, Virginia and released September 2011.
Recorded in July 2012 at Fairfax Recording in Van Nuys, California. The Inheritance EP was released in October 2012. The full length came out in March 2013 and was a mix of re-recorded songs from Quill as well as brand new songs.[14]
  • Sleigh Ride (2013, Universal Republic)
Recorded at Minimum Wage Recording in Richmond and released November 2013.
  • VA (2014, independent)
Recorded in the Wigwam A-Frame on site at Triple R Ranch and at Parroco Production in Chesapeake. The full-length album was released September 2014.
  • Dorado (2015, independent)
Songs for Dorado were taken from the writing and recording sessions for the VA album.[15]
Tracked at COLLECTOR studios in Norfolk, VA in the summer of 2016[17]

References
  1. Monger, James Christopher. "The Last Bison – Biography & History". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  2. "The Last Bison".
  3. McDonald, Sam. "Bison: Called a hit with Hampton Roads Listeners". The Daily Press. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  4. McDonald, Sam. "Bison and other local bands play to big crowd at 96X event in Hampton". The Daily Press. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  5. Maisey, Jeff. "Bison's Mountain Top Chamber Music, Eclectic Chesapeake band rides Switzerland to success". Veer Magazine. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  6. McDonald, Sam. "Bison, a folk band from Chesapeake is attracting a herd of fans". The Daily Press. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  7. Carradini, Stephen. "Bison's folk-pop focuses on unique arrangements". Independent Clauses. Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  8. Samantha (22 January 2012). "bison: quill: switzerland". Retrieved 2012-02-02.
  9. Carradini, Stephen (24 December 2011). "Bison's folk-pop focuses on unique arrangements". Independent Clauses. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  10. Feber, Eric. "Chesapeake band headlines NorVa Thanksgiving food drive". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  11. McDonald, Sam. "Bison to play Hampton Fundraiser". The Daily Press. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  12. McDonald, Sam. "Bison and other local bands play to big crowd at 96X event in Hampton". The Daily Press. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  13. "Transmission Publicity".
  14. "Bison on Episode 74 of The Collision Podcast". The Collision Podcast. Retrieved 2012-06-27.
  15. "The Last Bison - 'Dorado' (EP stream) (Premiere)". Pop Matters. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  16. Kress, Bryan (August 22, 2018). "The Last Bison Announce New Album & Debut 'Cold Night'". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  17. "Last Bison". Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
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