Still Flyin'

The band is based on the song "Never Gonna Touch the Ground", a song that Rawls wrote and performed in a prior band, Je Suis France.{{cite web |url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/2009/04/track-by-track-guide-to-%E2%80%98never-gonna-touch-the-ground%E2%80%99-by-still-flyin%E2%80%99s-sean-rawls/ |title=[Track By Track] Still Flyin – 'Never Gonna Touch The Ground' {{!}} The Line Of Best Fit |website=www.thelineofbestfit.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610103719/http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/2009/04/track-by-track-guide-to-%E2%80%98never-gonna-touch-the-ground%E2%80%99-by-still-flyin%E2%80%99s-sean-rawls/ |archive-date=2010-06-10}} After moving to San Francisco, Rawls recorded the song, which took on a life of its own resulting in the creation of Still Flyin'. The chorus of the song, "Still Flyin', never gonna touch the ground" was the source of the band's name as well as its debut album and title track.

In 2004, Sean Rawls, a veteran of bands Masters of the Hemisphere and Je Suis France moved from Athens, GA to San Francisco, CA. Upon arriving in San Francisco Rawls asked just about everybody he knew Blackman, Guy (2009-01-30). [http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/music/staying-cool-with-a-highfive-attitude/2009/01/29/1232818613863.html "Staying Cool With a High-Five Attitude"]. The Age to join his new project. Most of the friends he had in San Francisco were fellow musicians he had met through his prior bands, and many of them joined Rawls to form Still Flyin'.

The band played its first live show at the Hemlock Tavern in San Francisco in November, 2004. Shortly thereafter they embarked on a tour of the US West Coast opening for Architecture in Helsinki.Seltenrich, Nate (2009-05-06). [http://www.eastbayexpress.com/eastbay/still-flyin-is-still-smilin/Content?oid=1369644 "Still Flyin' is Still Smilin'"]. East Bay Express In August, 2006 they went on their first tour of Scandinavia, playing at the Emmaboda Festival [http://opticalatlas.com/index.php?s=aislers Opticatlas.com] in Sweden. During this tour they were joined onstage by Jens Lekman.[http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/106227-still-flyin-release-debut-album-on-moshi-moshi.html Hangout.altsounds.com] Still Flyin' returned to Scandinavia in 2007. In 2008 they performed in Australia's St Jerome's Laneway Festival, where they met Spiral Stairs. He curated [http://www.sledisland.com/sled-island-music-set-to-announce-2008-lineup-venues-and-visual-art-component.html Sled Island Press Release (2008-03-20)] the 2008 Sled Island Festival {{Cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/07/wire_mogwai_and.html|title=Wire, Mogwai, and the rest of the pics from Sled Island 2008|date=9 July 2008 }} in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and invited Still Flyin'. In early 2009 Still Flyin' toured Europe and returned to Australia to play St. Jerome's Laneway Festival once again. They played at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas in early spring and summer saw them touring Europe once again, where they performed at the Secret Garden Party[http://www.secretgardenparty.com/2009/html/ Secret Garden Party 2009 Band Lineup] festival in the UK.

Still Flyin' signed with Antenna Farm in 2006 and released 2 EP's. In 2008, the band signed with Ernest Jenning (US), London-based Moshi Moshi and Australian label Lost and Lonesome for the release of their first full-length record.

Still Flyin's sound is generally classified as reggaeHall, Nicholas (2009-05-05). [http://www.sfweekly.com/2009-05-06/music/still-flyin-hosts-the-reggae-pop-party "Still Flyin' Hosts the Reggae Pop Party"]. SF Weekly or rocksteady.{{Cite web |url=http://thedaysoflore.com/still-flyin-still-flyin/ |title=Still Flyin' … still flyin'! | the Days of Lore |access-date=2009-12-15 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716230851/http://thedaysoflore.com/still-flyin-still-flyin/ |url-status=dead }} However, the band has coined its own term to classify its sound and outlook: hammjamm,{{Cite web |url=http://thedaysoflore.com/still-flyin-still-flyin |title=Still Flyin' … still flyin'! | the Days of Lore |access-date=2009-12-15 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716230851/http://thedaysoflore.com/still-flyin-still-flyin/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://wearehunted.com/like/hammjamm_across_america/1540832/ |title=HAMMJAMM Across America // 1540832 |website=wearehunted.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718005932/http://wearehunted.com/like/hammjamm_across_america/1540832/ |archive-date=2011-07-18}}Chun, Kimberly (2009-04-15). [http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?catid=107&entry_id=8392 "Happy gang-bang Muzak? Still Flyin' and Papercuts keep close to home.".] San Francisco Bay Guardian which is loosely defined as "when a good time gets better" {{cite web |url=http://media.www.thelamron.com/media/storage/paper1150/news/2009/10/29/ArtsEntertainment/Still.Flyin.Hammjamm.Knightspot-3817980.shtml |title=Still Flyin' hammjamm KnightSpot – Arts & Entertainment |website=media.www.thelamron.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101125302/http://media.www.thelamron.com/media/storage/paper1150/news/2009/10/29/ArtsEntertainment/Still.Flyin.Hammjamm.Knightspot-3817980.shtml |archive-date=2009-11-01}} and with lifestyle ramifications involving "friends, beers, high fives, parties and enjoying life to the fullest".

Although the band started and is based in San Francisco, its members now stretch to all corners of the world.{{Cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12932-never-gonna-touch-the-ground/|title = Still Flyin': Never Gonna Touch the Ground|website = Pitchfork}} The band is made up of a "core" lineup with a long roster of "spiritual members", who join the band for live performances when geography permits.

Current Core Lineup:

Sean Rawls – vocals, guitar (Masters of the Hemisphere, Je Suis France)

Zach Moran – guitar

Phil Horan – drums (Maserati)

Maria Niubo – keys, vocals

Samuele Palazzi – bass (The Calorifer Is Very Hot, The Ian Fays)

Members on Past Recordings:

Yoshi Nakamoto – drums (The Aislers Set, Scenic Vermont, Poastal, Eux Autres)

Gabe Saucedo – vibraphone, saxophone, guitar, vocals (Red Pony Clock)

Bren Mead – percussion, guitar, bass, drums, vocals (Masters of the Hemisphere, Veteran, Summer Hymns)

Mark Monnone – bass (The Lucksmiths)

Mindy Schweitzer-Rawls – vocals

Marjan Esfandiari – vocals

Jaime Knight – vocals (Poundsign, Dear Nora)

Gary Olson – trumpet, vocals (The Ladybug Transistor)

Frank Jordan – saxophone (Bright Lights)

Isobel Knowles – trumpet, keys, vocals (Architecture in Helsinki, The Icypoles)

Alicia Vanden Heuvel – keys, vocals (The Aislers Set, Poundsign)

Drew Cramer – bass (Personal and the Pizzas, the Mantles)

Lizeth Santos – vocals

Becky Barron – vocals (Poundsign, Kids On A Crime Spree, Bright Lights)

Brian Girgus – bongos (lowercase, Track Star)

Adrian Finch – keys, percussion, saxophone, vocals (Masters of the Hemisphere, Night Moves Gold, Dances With Wolves, Elf Power, Summer Hymns)

Past Live Performers:

Wyatt Cusick – bass, guitar (Track Star, The Aislers Set)

Carrie Jedlicka – keys, vocals

Ice Bergeron – reverb tank (Je Suis France, Peace Goat)

OJ Hammond – guru (Je Suis France, Excalibrah)

Ake Stromer – saxophone (Love Is All, James Ausfahrt)

Tara Shackell – trombone, vocals (Architecture in Helsinki, The Icypoles)

Gus Franklin – percussion (Architecture in Helsinki, Sheahan Drive, The Smallgoods)

Anna Storakers – vocals

Brody Railton – reverb tank

Josephine Olausson – vocals (Love Is All, Girlfrendo)

Richard Baluyut – guitar (Versus)

Markus Gorsch – bongos (Love Is All, Girlfrendo, Glenn und Glenn)

Jens Lekman – guitar, vocals (Jens Lekman)

Rawls's songwriting is influenced by a lot of popular music. Of note are the songs mentioned in the lyrics to H-O-T-T-C-H-O-R-D: Electric Avenue, Funkytown, All Night Long, Walk of Life, Turn to Stone and What a Fool Believes.Broder Van Dyke, Michelle (2009-06-11). [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/10/NST5180UOJ.DTL "Still Flyin'"]. SF Gate In addition, Rawls is a fan of the music of Talking Heads, Konono N°1, Kraftwerk, Christopher Cross and many others.

When asked in interviews about influences, Rawls has consistently mentioned Matthew McConaughey,{{Cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/culture-clash-extra-still-flyin|title = Culture Clash Extra – Still Flyin'| date=10 April 2009 }}http://www.thecmuwebsite.com/ssq/stillflyin.html {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/break-it-down-still-flyin/6062546|title = News}} whom the band regards as a lifestyle role model.

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.takeyourshoesoffyoudontneedtheminthesky.com}}
• [http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/still-flyin-concert/20030840-3738154.html Still Flyin' Daytrotter Session]

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Category:Musical groups established in 2004

Category:Indie pop groups from San Francisco