Washed Out
{{Short description|American singer-songwriter and record producer (born 1982)}}
{{About|the musician|the film|Washed Out (film){{!}}Washed Out (film)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Washed Out
| image = Washed Out 2016.jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = Washed Out performing in July 2016
| birth_name = Ernest Weatherly Greene Jr.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1982|10|3}}
| birth_place = Perry, Georgia, U.S.
| origin =
| genre = {{hlist|Chillwave{{cite web |last=Goble |first=Corban |url=http://www.pitch.com/music/article/20583841/rip-chillwave-the-top-10-chillwave-artists-and-where-they-are-now |title=R.I.P., chillwave: the top 10 chillwave artists, and where they are now |work=The Pitch |date=April 1, 2011}}|synth-pop{{cite magazine |last=Ugwu |first=Reggie |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/4624878/chillwave-hero-washed-out-masters-the-not-quite-concept-album-with-paracosm |title=Chillwave Hero Washed Out Masters the Not-Quite Concept Album With 'Paracosm' |magazine=Billboard |date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=April 8, 2017}}|dream pop{{cite web |last=Kloeppel |first=Geena |url=http://www.spin.com/2017/06/washed-out-mister-mellow-new-album/ |title=Washed Out Announces New Album Mister Mellow |work=Spin |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=July 14, 2017}}|bedroom pop{{cite web |last=Radford |first=Chad |url=http://www.clatl.com/music/article/13066510/washed-out-keyboardist-escapes-chillwave-with-dog-bite |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202074747/http://www.clatl.com/music/article/13066510/washed-out-keyboardist-escapes-chillwave-with-dog-bite |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |title=Washed Out keyboardist escapes chillwave with Dog Bite |website=Creative Loafing |date=February 28, 2012}}}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = {{hlist|Transparent|Mexican Summer|Sub Pop|Weird World|Mirror Universe Tapes|Stones Throw}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|EMA|Small Black}}
| website = {{URL|http://washedout.net}}
}}
Ernest Weatherly Greene Jr. (born October 3, 1982), known professionally as Washed Out, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Commonly associated with the chillwave genre in the 2010s, Pitchfork dubbed him "the godfather of chillwave".{{cite web |last=Kemp |first=Sophie |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/washed-out-purple-noon/|title=Purple Noon|publisher=Pitchfork. Condé Nast |access-date= August 10, 2020}}
Life and career
Ernest Weatherly Greene Jr. was born on October 3, 1982, in Perry, Georgia, and currently lives in Atlanta.{{cite web |last=Reges |first=Margaret |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/washed-out-mn0002136598 |title=Washed Out |publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation |access-date=February 6, 2013}}{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Wyatt |url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-161485-how-washed-out-became-the-poster-boy-of-electro-s-chillwave-movement-- |title=How Washed Out became the poster boy of electro's chillwave movement |work=Creative Loafing Atlanta |date=March 23, 2010 |access-date=December 20, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://thelepantoleague.blogspot.com/2009/07/washed-out-is-south-carolina-born-and.html|title=Washed Out|date=2009-07-27|website=The Lepanto League|access-date=2017-09-07}} After earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, he obtained a Master of Library and Information Science degree but was unable to find a job as a librarian. Greene moved back in with his parents and started producing songs in his bedroom studio,{{cite web |last=Oder |first=Norman |url=http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/community/libraryeducation/855989-272/story.csp |title=LJ Talks to Ernest Greene, Unemployed LIS Grad, Breakout Musician |work=Library Journal |date=October 22, 2009 |access-date=December 20, 2011}} as well as working on recordings of dance music with Bedroom, a local band.{{cite web|title=Washed Out - Biography|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/277847/washed-out/biography|publisher=billboardbiz|access-date=10 April 2013}} During 2008 he recorded lo-fi rock music under the name Lee Weather, but the following summer he found more success with his new project, Washed Out.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fredperry.com/subculture/article-washed-out|title=Washed Out Chillwave / dreampop from the US|website=www.fredperry.com|language=en|access-date=2017-09-07}} He was soon discovered by a number of influential music bloggers after they found his music on his Myspace page.{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/36358-rising-washed-out/ |title=Rising: Washed Out |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=September 1, 2009 |access-date=December 20, 2011}} His first recordings have been described as "drowsy, distorted, dance pop-influenced tracks that brought to mind Neon Indian and Memory Tapes".
Greene's first two extended plays were released in August and September 2009. He held his debut New York City performance (his second live show ever) at Santos Party House. He has since performed at the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival{{cite web|author=Pitchfork, July 20, 2010 |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/7837-photos-pitchfork-music-festival-2010/ |title=Articles: Photos: Pitchfork Music Festival 2010 |publisher=Pitchfork |date=2010-07-20 |access-date=2011-12-20}} and his song "Feel It All Around" is used as the opening theme for the television series Portlandia.{{cite news|last=Cridlin|first=Jay|title=SoundBytes: LMFAO, Washed Out, Dan Aykroyd and more|url=https://www.tampabay.com/content/soundbytes-lmfao-washed-out-dan-aykroyd-and-more/2053647/|access-date=5 Feb 2018|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=February 29, 2012}}
File:Washed Out at Ogden Theatre(10.04.11)(2).jpg in Denver, 2011]]
In April 2011 it was announced that he had been signed to Sub Pop. His debut, Within and Without, then released on July 12, 2011. The album peaked at #26 on the Billboard 200 and #89 on the UK Albums Chart. He was chosen by Battles to perform at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas festival that they co-curated in December 2011 in Minehead, England.{{cite web|url=http://www.atpfestival.com/events/nightmare2011.php |title=ATP Nightmare Before Christmas |publisher=Atpfestival.com |access-date=2011-12-20}}
Washed Out's second album, Paracosm, was released on August 13, 2013. The first single was "It All Feels Right", followed by "Don't Give Up".{{cite news|url=http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/06/11/washed-out-it-all-feels-right-paracosm/ |title=Listen to Washed Out's Sunny New Single "It All Feels Right" |publisher=MTV |access-date=2013-06-11}} The same year, "New Theory" from Life of Leisure featured in-background on a scene from The Spectacular Now. In May 2014, he was reporting to be working on a third studio album, but he stated, "I'm figuring out the next step."{{Cite web|url=http://radio.com/2014/05/29/washed-out-interview-new-album-im-figuring-out-the-next-step/|title=Washed Out Talks Soundscape of New Album: 'I'm Figuring Out the Next Step'|date=29 May 2014|publisher=Radio.com|access-date=15 December 2016}}
On May 19, Washed Out announced dates for his "Get Lost" tour, taking place in July 2017. Subsequently, he released his third studio album, Mister Mellow, on June 30, 2017. The album was produced at Stones Throw Records with the help of Cole M.G.N.{{Cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/washed-out-mn0002136598/biography |title = Washed Out | Biography & History| website=AllMusic }}
In April 2018, Washed Out released a new single, "Face Up" as part of Adult Swim's Singles Series.{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/04/washed-out-returns-with-new-song-face-up-stream/|title=Washed Out returns with new song "Face Up": Stream|date=4 April 2018|access-date=8 August 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/04/washed-out-face-up/|title=Washed Out – "Face Up"|date=4 April 2018|website=Spin.com|access-date=8 August 2020}} The single was later included on his fourth album, Purple Noon (2020).{{cite web|url=http://www.subpop.com/releases/washed_out/full_lengths/purple_noon|title=Sub Pop - Purple Noon by Washed Out |website=Subpop.com|access-date=July 24, 2020}} In April 2020, Washed Out released a new single, "Too Late".{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/04/stream-washed-out-too-late-song-video/|title=Washed Out finds connection on new single "Too Late": Stream|website=Consequence of Sound|date=9 April 2020|access-date=8 August 2020}} On June 30, 2020, Washed Out announced that a new album called Purple Noon would be released on August 7, 2020. He also released a new single, "Time to Walk Away".{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/washed-out-announces-new-album-purple-noon-shares-new-song-listen/|title=Washed Out Announces New Album Purple Noon, Shares New Song|first=Evan|last=Minsker|website=Pitchfork.com|date=30 June 2020 |access-date=8 August 2020}}
During the Solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, Washed Out performed his music video for the song "Waking Up" in one take at Bandera, Texas. The performance was posted to his YouTube channel two months after the eclipse.{{Cite web |last=Gobeli |first=Abbie |date=2024-06-13 |title=Washed Out Shares “Waking Up (Solar Eclipse Performance)” |url=https://www.subpop.com/news/2024/06/13/washed_out_shares_waking_up_solar_eclipse_performance |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Sub Pop Records |language=en}}
In May 2024, Washed Out announced his fifth studio album, Notes from a Quiet Life, and released its first single, "The Hardest Part", the video of which was made with OpenAI's Sora.{{Cite web |last=Chelosky |first=Danielle |date=2024-05-02 |title=Washed Out Shares New Song “The Hardest Part” And Video Made With OpenAI’s Sora |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2261863/washed-out-shares-new-song-the-hardest-part-and-video-made-with-openais-sora/music/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Stereogum}}{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Wendy |date=2024-05-02 |title=Washed Out’s new music video was created with AI. Is it a watershed moment for Sora? |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-05-02/first-major-music-artist-uses-openai-sora-to-create-music-video |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Los Angeles Times}}
Musical style
Washed Out's style has been identified with the chillwave movement. He has said hip hop influences the way he writes songs.{{cite web |url=http://www.lifelounge.com.au/music/interview/interview-with-washed-out.aspx |title=Interview with Washed Out |website=Lifelounge.com.au|date=2010-11-19 |access-date=2011-12-20}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="10"| Peak chart positions |
---|
scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|US {{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/washed-out/chart-history |title=Washed Out - Billboard 200 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 20, 2020}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|AUS
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|NOR ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|NL ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|NZ ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|UK
|
scope="row" | Within and Without
|
| 26 || — || 5 || 6 || 20 || 36 || 80 || — || 89 || 12 |
scope="row" | Paracosm
|
| 21 || — || 3 || 5 || 7 || — || — || — || 101 || 21 |
scope="row" | Mister Mellow
|
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Mister Mellow" did not enter the Billboard 200 chart, but peaked at number 91 on the Top Current Album Sales chart.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/washed-out/chart-history/tcl/ |title=Washed Out - Top Current Album Sales |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 23, 2021}}}} || 8 || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Mister Mellow" did not enter the Rock & Alternative Albums chart, but peaked at number 22 on the Alternative Album Sales chart.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/washed-out/chart-history/ral | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413080036/https://www.billboard.com/music/washed-out/chart-history/ral | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 13, 2021 | title=Washed Out – Chart History: Alternative Album Sales | magazine=Billboard | access-date=April 12, 2021}}}} || 15 || — || — || 9 || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Mister Mellow did not enter the UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 36 on the UK Record Store Chart.{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/washed-out-mister-mellow/ | title=Mister Mellow - Washed Out - Official Chart history | publisher=Official Charts Company | access-date=August 23, 2024}}}} || — |
scope="row" | Purple Noon
| | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Purple Noon" did not enter the Billboard 200 chart, but peaked at number 18 on the Top Current Album Sales chart.}} || — || 35 || 33 || — || — || — || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Purple Noon did not enter the UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 20 on the UK Record Store Chart.{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/washed-out-purple-noon/ | title=Purple Noon - Washed Out - Official Chart history | publisher=Official Charts Company | access-date=August 23, 2024}}}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Purple Noon did not enter the UK Independent Albums Chart, but peaked at number 22 on the UK Independent Album Breakers Chart.}} |
scope="row" | Notes from a Quiet Life
|
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Notes from a Quiet Life" did not enter the Billboard 200 chart, but peaked at number 41 on the Top Current Album Sales chart.}} || 19 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
colspan="15" style="font-size:90%" |"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
=Extended plays=
=Singles=
==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}
=Guest appearances=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
scope="col"| Title
!scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Album |
---|
scope="row"| "You & I"
|rowspan="2"| 2010 | Adult Swim Singles Program 2010 |
scope="row"| "Belong"
| Kitsuné Maison Compilation 9{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kitsune-maison-compilation/id365405681 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427001259/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kitsune-maison-compilation/id365405681 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2010 |title=iTunes - Music - Kitsuné Maison Compilation 9 (Petit Bateau Edition) by Various Artists |publisher=iTunes |date=2010-04-20 |access-date=2011-12-20}} |
scope="row"| "Straight Back"
|rowspan="2"|2012 |
scope="row"| "Outta My System - Washed Out Remix"
| Outta My System: Remixez Y Friendz |
scope="row"| "Want"
| 2015 | Samantha |
scope="row"| "Forgive"
| 2018 |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://washedout.net}}
- [http://www.theblueindian.com/2009/09/01/qa-with-washed-out-a-k-a-ernest-greene/ Q&A with Washed Out (a.k.a. Ernest Greene)], The Blue Indian, September 1, 2009
- [http://www.supersweet.org/main.aspx?atype=1&aname=Music_Washed_Out&con=1&sc1=0&sc2=0 Interview with Ernest Greene, August 2010]
- [http://www.subpop.com/channel/blog/washed_out_sign_to_sub_pop_their_new_album_within_and_without_comes_out_july_12th/ Washed out signs with Sub Pop, April 2011]
- [https://www.npr.org/artists/114204564/washed-out Washed Out] at NPR Music
{{Washed Out}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Washed Out}}
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American synth-pop musicians
Category:Mexican Summer artists
Category:People from Perry, Georgia
Category:Record producers from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:University of Georgia alumni
Category:University of South Carolina alumni