Biography

The High Violets combine swirling guitars, light vocals, and subtle electronic textures to create a calm, slightly grooving take on the classic early-'90s dream pop sound. The group formed after the 1998 breakup of the Bella Low, a fixture of Portland, Oregon's psychedelic indie rock scene. Guitarist/vocalist Clint Sargent, bassist/vocalist Violet Bianca Grace, and drummer Luke Strahota began playing gigs as the High Violets, but Grace was soon replaced by bassist Allen Davis, formerly of Echoplex. Classically trained violinist Kaitlyn ni Donovan then became the band's lead vocalist, in addition to contributing guitar, strings, and keyboards. The group self-released an EP, Dream Away, in 1999. After signing to Irish label Reverb Records, the High Violets' debut album, 44 Down, arrived in 2002. The group returned four years later with To Where You Are, which featured new bassist Aaron Overstreet. The High Violets toured across America in support of the album, including gigs at South by Southwest and Musicfest NW. Satellite Remixes followed in 2007, including an interpretation by electro-shoegazer Ulrich Schnauss. Bassist Colin Sheridan joined the band in time for its fourth album, Cinéma, which appeared on Comet Rock Records in 2010. In 2012, the band's songs began appearing on volumes of Saint Marie Records' Static Waves compilation series. The group's fifth full-length, Heroes & Halos, arrived on the label in 2016. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi