the New Pornographers

The New Pornographers' name was chosen by Carl Newman, who has said that he came up with it because he was a fan of a Japanese film called The Pornographers. It was also an homage to The New Seekers and "The Pornographers," a track on bandmate Dan Bejar's first Destroyer album, We'll Build Them a Golden Bridge.{{cite news |last1=Rusty |first1=Brandon |title=New Pornographers Reveal True Origin Of Their Name |url=https://www.chartsattack.com/new-pornographers-reveal-true-origin-of-their-name/ |access-date=19 April 2025 |work=Chart Attack |date=10 May 2019}}{{cite news|url=http://www.glidemagazine.com/Articles/47784/The-New-Pornographers:-Canadian-Blockbuster.html |title=The New Pornographers: Canadian Blockbuster |last=Handler|first=Shane |date=November 1, 2005 |access-date=September 27, 2007 |publisher=Glide Magazine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014111806/http://www.glidemagazine.com/Articles/47784/The-New-Pornographers:-Canadian-Blockbuster.html |archive-date=October 14, 2007}} The band has released nine albums to date: Mass Romantic (2000), Electric Version (2003), Twin Cinema (2005), Challengers (2007), Together (2010), Brill Bruisers (2014), Whiteout Conditions (2017), In the Morse Code of Brake Lights (2019), and Continue as a Guest (2023). A live album recorded on their 2006 tour is available only at concerts and on the band's website. In 2005, the band was the subject of Reginald Harkema's documentary film Better Off in Bed."Harkema's road rockumentary inspired by the Rolling Stones". Edmonton Journal, July 22, 2005.

The New Pornographers' first four albums each placed in the top 40 on The Village Voice{{'}}s Pazz & Jop year-end poll of hundreds of music reviewers. From 2000 to 2006, either a New Pornographers' album or a solo album from one of the band's members ranked in the top 40 on the list each year.{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/index.php |title=Pazz & Jop awards from |publisher=robertchristgau.com |access-date=July 25, 2009}} In 2007, Blender magazine ranked the New Pornographers' first album, Mass Romantic, the 24th best indie album of all time.{{cite web |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2981 |title=100 Greatest Indie-Rock Albums of all time, No. 30 – No. 21, from |publisher=Blender.com |date=November 15, 2007 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409014151/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2981 |archive-date=April 9, 2008 }} In 2009, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the band's second studio album, Electric Version, No. 79 in the "100 Best Albums of the Decade".{{Cite news | title = Rolling Stone lists Top 100 of decade | publisher = CBC News | date = December 10, 2009| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/rolling-stone-lists-top-100-of-decade-1.787388 | access-date = October 2, 2010}}

All of the New Pornographers' original members were prominent within the Vancouver music scene prior to forming the band. Kathryn Calder, who is also Newman's niece, joined the band in 2005 largely as a live replacement for Neko Case, whose solo career often left her unavailable to perform with the band. Calder's first lead vocals for the band were on 2007's Challengers, singing the lead on "Failsafe" and sharing the lead with Newman on "Adventures in Solitude".{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

In 2009, the New Pornographers contributed a cover of the Destroyer song "Hey, Snow White" to the AIDS benefit album Dark Was the Night, produced by the Red Hot Organization. The band released their fifth album, Together, on May 4, 2010, on Matador Records. The album includes collaborations from St. Vincent, Beirut's Zach Condon, and Okkervil River's Will Sheff.{{Cite web| last = Lindsay| first = Andrew| title = The New Pornographers reveal album details| publisher = Stereokill.net| date = February 22, 2010| url = http://stereokill.net/2010/02/the-new-pornographers-reveal-album-details/| access-date = October 1, 2010| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100528224325/http://stereokill.net/2010/02/the-new-pornographers-reveal-album-details/| archive-date = May 28, 2010}}

In 2012, the New Pornographers contributed a cover of the song "Think About Me" for the Fleetwood Mac tribute CD called Just Tell Me That You Want Me released by Hear Music. The band's sixth album, Brill Bruisers, was released on August 26, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/55523-the-new-pornographers-announce-new-album-brill-bruisers-share-title-track-tour/ |title=The New Pornographers Announce New Album Brill Bruisers, Share Title Track, Tour |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=June 10, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2016 |last=Gordon |first=Jeremy}} The album was their highest charting to date in the United States, peaking at #13 on the Billboard 200.

On January 26, 2017, the New Pornographers announced their seventh album, Whiteout Conditions, would be released on April 7. The album was preceded by the single "High Ticket Attractions".{{cite web|last1=Helman|first1=Peter|title=The New Pornographers – "High Ticket Attractions"|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1921775/the-new-pornographers-high-ticket-attractions/music/|website=Stereogum|access-date=January 27, 2017|date=January 26, 2017}} The album is the first to feature drummer Joe Seiders as a full-time member after replacing drummer Kurt Dahle in mid-2014. It is also the first New Pornographers album to not feature Dan Bejar.{{cite web |title=New Pornographers Announce 'Whiteout Conditions' LP, Release 'High Ticket Attractions' Single |url=http://diffuser.fm/new-pornographers-whiteout-conditions/ |website=Spin.com |access-date=February 4, 2017 |date=January 27, 2017 |first=Jeff |last=Giles}} Newman, however, went on the record to note that Bejar's absence did not mean he had left the band entirely; telling Stereogum:

{{cquote|he [Bejar] was right in the middle of doing a Destroyer record... [w]hich was something we'd narrowly skirted for our whole career. I'm always amazed that we managed to. Sometimes we avoided Destroyer, sometimes Destroyer avoided us, but eventually we hit at the same time. It wasn't anything weird.{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1930395/qa-a-c-newman-on-canadian-healthcare-dan-bejar-and-the-new-pornographers-whiteout-conditions/franchises/interview/|title=Q&A: A.C. Newman On Canadian Healthcare, Dan Bejar, And The New Pornographers' Whiteout Conditions|website=Stereogum|last1=Leas|first1=Ryan|date=17 March 2017|access-date=13 April 2017}}}}

On November 29, 2018, A.C. Newman announced via Twitter that he had begun work on a future New Pornographers album.{{Cite tweet |user=ACNewman |number=1068318040775897089 |title=Hey, working on a new @TheNewPornos album everybody.}} On August 2, 2019, the band announced via Twitter that it would release its new album, In the Morse Code of Brake Lights, on September 27, and released its first single from the album, "Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-new-pornographers-falling-down-the-stairs-of-your-smile-866611/ |title=The New Pornographers Announce New Album, Share Lead Single |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 2, 2019 |first=Claire |last=Shaffer |access-date=October 30, 2021}} In a press release for the album, Dan Bejar is described as a "former (and possibly future) member" of the band. The new press photos for the band include vocalist/violinist Simi Stone, officially inducting her into the band after being an auxiliary touring member since 2015.

In July 2021, the band announced a North American tour where they would play Mass Romantic and Twin Cinema in full across simultaneous nights, as well as a reissue of Mass Romantic on vinyl. This announcement also confirmed the return of Bejar to the band, as well as the departure of both Thurier and Stone.{{cite web |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |title=The New Pornographers Announce Mass Romantic Reissue, Full Album Tour |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-new-pornographers-announce-mass-romantic-reissue-full-album-tour/ |date=July 13, 2021 |publisher=Pitchfork |access-date=July 14, 2021}}

On January 9, 2023, A.C. Newman announced via Twitter that the band had moved to a new label, Merge Records, alongside announcing the band's ninth album Continue as a Guest, a single from the album, "Really Really Light", and a tour starting in April. The band's press photos confirmed Bejar's second departure from the group – although he has a co-writing credit on "Really Really Light".{{Cite tweet |user=ACNewman |number=1612444171570233345 |title=A few things: 1) ⁦@TheNewPornos⁩ signed to ⁦@mergerecords! 2) New LP 'Continue as a Guest' out 3/31! 3) New song 'Really Really Light' available today! 4) New tour starts in April! 5) Can you buy tickets? Probably! I'll post a link soon, or if not me, someone!}}{{cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |title=The New Pornographers Announce Album, Share Song: Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-new-pornographers-announce-album-share-song-listen/ |website=Pitchfork |date=January 9, 2023 |publisher=Pitchfork Media |access-date=9 January 2023}}

On April 17, 2025, drummer Joe Seiders, who had been with the band since 2014, was arrested in California on child pornography charges, leading to the band to immediately fire him.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Scoop |title=New Pornographers Drummer Joseph Seiders Charged with Child Pornography |url=https://consequence.net/2025/04/new-pornographers-joseph-seiders-child-pornography/ |access-date=18 April 2025 |work=Consequence |date=17 April 2025 |language=en}}

Current members

Members' other projects in brackets

• Neko Case – vocals (solo artist, Maow, The Corn Sisters, Cub) (1997–present)
• John Collins – bass (the Evaporators, Destroyer, Thorsen) (1997–present)
• Carl Newman – vocals, guitar (solo artist (as A.C. Newman), Superconductor, Zumpano, Thee Crusaders) (1997–present)
• Todd Fancey – lead guitar, backing vocals (solo artist (as Fancey), Limblifter) (2003–present)
• Kathryn Calder – keyboards, backing vocals, guitar (solo artist, Immaculate Machine, Frontperson) (2005–present)

Current touring musicians

• Nora O'Connor – backing vocals, percussion (The Flat Five) (2021–present)
• Adam Schatz – saxophone, synthesizer (Japanese Breakfast) (2023–present){{cite news |last1=Walters |first1=Grant |title=Concert Preview: The New Pornographers at Newport Music Hall |url=https://columbusunderground.com/concert-preview-the-new-pornographers-at-newport-music-hall-gw1/ |access-date=22 May 2023 |work=Columbus Underground |date=8 May 2023}}{{cite news |title=Japanese Breakfast expand their palate; play songs from |url=https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2021/06/22/japanese-breakfast-are-expanding-their-palate-play-songs-from-jubilee |access-date=22 May 2023 |work=www.thecurrent.org |language=en}}

Former members

• Fisher Rose – drums (Destroyer, A.C. Newman) (1997–1999)
• Kurt Dahle – drums, backing vocals (Limblifter, the Age of Electric) (1999–2014)
• Simi Stone – violin, backing vocals, percussion (solo artist, Suffrajett) (2019–2021; touring musician 2015–2019){{cite web |url=https://www.nuvo.net/music/music_news/ac-newman-on-the-last-bit-of-the-new-pornographers/article_394036fc-6f2a-559c-826e-6f6003634c25.html |title=AC Newman on the last bit of the New Pornographers' 'Brill Bruisers' tour from |website=nuvo.net |date=July 14, 2015 |first=Katherine |last=Cohen |access-date=July 18, 2015}}
• Blaine Thurier – keyboards, synthesizer (independent filmmaker, Thee Crusaders) (1997–2021)
• Dan Bejar – vocals, guitar (Destroyer, Swan Lake, Hello, Blue Roses) (1997–2017, 2021–2022)
• Joe Seiders – drums, backing vocals (Beat Club) (2014–2025)

Former touring musicians

• Lindsay "Coco" Hames – backing vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar (The Ettes) (2014)

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• Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) (2005)
• Live! (2006)
• LIVE from SoHo (iTunes Exclusive) (2008)

• FUBAR: The Album (2002) – "Your Daddy Don't Know"
• Matador at Fifteen (2004) – "Graceland"
• Dark Was the Night (2009) – "Hey, Snow White"
• Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe (2011) - "Hey, Snow White"
• Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac (2012) – "Think About Me"

• Queer as Folk (2000) – "Mass Romantic"
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) – "Letter from an Occupant"
• Men with Brooms (2002) – "Mass Romantic"
• CBC Radio 3 Sessions, Vol. 1 (2004) – "The Fake Headlines"
• Prom Queen: The Marc Hall Story (2004) – "Mass Romantic"
• The Office (Season 2, Episode 7: "The Client") (2005) – "Use It"
• Weeds (2005) – "The Laws Have Changed"
• Waiting... (2005) – "Electric Version"
• Gilmore Girls (2004) – "The Laws Have Changed"
• Gilmore Girls (2005) – "Twin Cinema"
• The Hour (Main Title Theme Season 3) (2006) – "Use It"
• Chuck (Season 1, Episode 2: "Chuck Versus the Helicopter") (2007) – "Challengers"
• Heroes (Season 2, Episode 6: "The Line") (2007) – "All for Swinging You Around"
• Rock Band (2007) – "Electric Version", "Use It", "All of the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth" (DLC)
• University of Phoenix commercial (2007) – "Bleeding Heart Show"
• Stone of Destiny (2008) – "Mutiny, I Promise You"
• NBA playoffs (2008) – "Use It"
• Numb3rs (2008) – "Challengers"
• Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Series 2, Episode 2) (2008) – "Adventures in Solitude"
• Management (2009) – "Adventures in Solitude", "All the Old Showstoppers"
• Ugly Betty (2010) – "Adventures in Solitude"
• The Good Wife (Season 2, Episode 13) (2011) – "Testament to Youth in Verse"
• Amazon Kindle commercial – "Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk"
• T-Mobile commercial (2011) – "Moves"
• Hyundai commercial (Canada) – "Moves"
• Go On (opening credits) (2012) – "Moves"
• Between (Season 1, Episode 1) (2015) – "Moves"
• Speechless (Season 1, Episode 22: "M-A-- MAY-JAY") (2017) – "Dancehall Domine"
• Blindspot (Season 3, Episode 1) – "The Bleeding Heart Show"
• Daybreak (Season 1, Episode 9) – "Adventures in Solitude"

{{Portal|Music|Canada}}

• Canadian rock
• List of bands from British Columbia
• Music of Vancouver

{{reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|The New Pornographers}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [http://www.thenewpornographers.com/ Official site]
• [http://www.matadorrecords.com/ Matador Records] label website

{{The New Pornographers|state=uncollapsed}}

{{Neko Case}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:New Pornographers, The}}

Category:Musical groups established in 1999

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