Art in America (band)

The band was the first-known rock band featuring a pedal harp to appear on a major record label. Art in America was formed in 1980 by brothers Chris Flynn and Dan Flynn and sister Shishonee (real name Ruetenik). Harpist Shishonee, was formerly a member of the band The Trees Community. Joining Art in America was friend Jim Kuha. Originally called Father, the band's name was changed to 'Art in America' and under this name the group began opening for popular Irish & English pop artists such as U2 and Roxy Music. In 1983, the group released their first studio album under Sony Music/Pavilion Records.{{Cite web|url=https://musicbrainz.org/release/fd246d2f-f421-4d56-89ec-a034996a636f|title = Release "Art in America" by Art in America |website=MusicBrainz.org}} Produced by Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer producer Eddy Offord, the album contained their most popular song "Art in America"{{Cite web|url=https://www.furia.com/page.cgi?type=twas&id=twas0112|title=TWAS 112: Art in America, Eurogliders|website=Furia.com|access-date=20 May 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-magazine-rock-band-1191548|title = What Major Art Magazine Has an '80s Rock Band Named After It? Why, It's Art in America!|website=News.artnet.com|date = 5 January 2018}} which received airplay on MTV music television,Billboard 1983-04-30, p. 26 and radio stations throughout the United States. The songs were co-arranged by Steve Morse who also contributed a guitar solo for the song "Undercover Lover". The guest keyboardist on the album was Terry "T" Lavitz.{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/t-lavitz-mn0000006315/credits|title=T Lavitz | Credits|website=AllMusic}}

In hopes of a better deal in releasing a second album, the band moved to Los Angeles in 1985. However, the band found the pay to play gig situation in Los Angeles to be hostile and disappointing. The band still records music and loads to many internet sites for free song streaming, as well as album and singles for purchase.{{Cite web|url=http://www.artinamericamusic.com/our-story.html|title=Our Story|website=Art in America|access-date=2016-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729011312/http://www.artinamericamusic.com/our-story.html|archive-date=2016-07-29|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/art-in-america-mw0000087269|title=Art in America - Art in America | Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=AllMusic}}

In 2011 the band was contacted by producer David Hentschel{{Cite web|url=http://www.thekeyboard.co.uk/|title=David Hentschel : Record Producer, Composer|website=Thekeyboard.co.uk|access-date=20 May 2023}} to finally record a follow-up studio album. The album was first released in 2013, as The Hentschel Sessions and then re-released as Cloudborn with artwork and additional tracks in 2018.{{cite web |url=http://scottfrankfurtstudio.com/hentschell |title=Scott Frankfurt Studio {{!}} Art In America feat. David Hentschel |website=scottfrankfurtstudio.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202053228/http://scottfrankfurtstudio.com/hentschell |archive-date=2017-02-02}}{{Cite web|url=http://michiganradio.org/post/band-art-america-returns-after-30-years|title=The band Art in America returns after 30 years|website=Michiganradio.org|date=7 November 2013}}

• Chris Flynn – Vocals, Lead guitar – Fender Stratocaster – (1974),{{Cite web |url=http://www2.fender.com/experience/guitarchive/the-stratocaster-in-the-1970s-part-ii/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123091216/http://www2.fender.com/experience/guitarchive/the-stratocaster-in-the-1970s-part-ii/ |archive-date=2017-01-23 |url-status=dead }} Rickenbacker 330 12 string
• Shishonee Flynn – Lyon & Healy Pedal Harp, Koto, Tamboura
• Daniel Flynn – Drums – Fibes Drums, Gamelan bell tree, percussion
• Jim Kuha – Bass Rickenbacker 4001, Moog Taurus bass pedals,{{Cite web |url=https://www.moogmusic.com/legacy/moog-product-timeline |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-01-29 |archive-date=2017-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060607/https://www.moogmusic.com/legacy/moog-product-timeline |url-status=dead }} 12-string guitar – Ovation
• Garry Galloway – Keyboards Korg, Yamaha, Akai and Mellotron

• Art in America (1983) No. 176 on the US Billboard 200.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6910917/art-in-america/chart?f=305|title=Chart History - Art in America|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 23, 2016}}
• Cloudborn (2018) {{Cite web|url=https://lemonwire.com/2018/06/22/art-in-america-follows-up-1983-debut-more-than-30-years-later/#comment-338|title = Art in America follows up 1983 debut more than 30 years later|website=Lemonwire.com|date = 22 June 2018}}
• Art in America – Performing live at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on March 8, 1983 Wolfgang's Vault{{Cite web|url=https://www.wolfgangs.com/live-music-streaming/|title=Concert Streaming & Live Music Streaming|website=Wolfgangs.com|access-date=20 May 2023}}
• Art in America – Performing live at the Capitol Theater, Flint, Michigan{{Cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/811|title=Capitol Theatre in Flint, MI - Cinema Treasures|website=Cinematreasures.org|access-date=20 May 2023}} on May 8, 1983 King Biscuit Flower Hour{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Thomas-Dolby-Art-in-America-King-Biscuit-Flower-Hour-May-8-1983/release/7900729|title = Thomas Dolby / Art in America – King Biscuit Flower Hour (1983, Vinyl)|website = Discogs}}

• "Art in America" (1983) No. 23 on the US Mainstream Rock charts
• "Undercover Lover" (1983) No. 33 on the US Mainstream Rock charts

The cover for the self-titled debut (commissioned and painted by Ioannis){{Cite web|url=https://dangerousage.com/about/|title=IOANNIS – IOANNIS CLASSIC ROCK ARTIST|website=Dangerousage.com|access-date=20 May 2023}} is featured in the book 1000 Record Covers by Michael Ochs, and published by Taschen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.taschen.com/en/books/music/45425/1000-record-covers|title=TASCHEN Books: This is for the vinyl lovers: 1000 Record Covers.|website=Taschen.com|access-date=20 May 2023}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.muzieklijstjes.nl/1000RecordCovers.htm|title = 1000 record covers (Samengesteld door Michael Ochs) (Taschen 1996/2002)|website=Muzieklijstjes.nl}} In 2018, in a reprise of his participation with the group, Ioannis commissioned the cover for Cloudborn.

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Category:Progressive rock musical groups from Michigan

Category:American new wave musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1980