His Name Is Alive | Artist
His Name is Alive is an American experimental rock band formed 1989 in Livonia, Michigan, by multi-instrumentalist Warn Defever and singers Angie Carozzo and Karin Oliver. In the early '90s they helped define the sound of the arty indie label 4AD with their experimental dream pop sound. Throughout the band's history, Defever has been the only constant member, with a variety of musicians and singers contributing. Defever began recording in his basement in 1985, while still in high school, using a 4-track recorder with friend Angie Carozzo providing vocals. After Defever went off to college and met Karin Oliver, she became the band's primary vocalist. They recorded a self-released cassette which Defever sent to 4AD in hopes of being signed to the label. Ivo Watts eventually signed the band in 1989, believing that he could re-mix the songs into a proper album 4AD could release. Livonia appeared in the summer of 1990, and became one of the label's biggest sellers of the year. A second album, also recorded in Defever's home studio, and remixed in England by Ivo and John Fryer, appeared in 1991 as Home is in Your Head. During the 1990s, Defever improved his recording techniques and the band became a favorite of 4AD's devoted fanbase. 1993's Stars on ESP was a breakthrough as Defever began to fully realize his potential as a musician able to paste many influences such as dub, dream pop, surf, country, and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, together in one cohesive work. In 1998 Watts sold the 4AD label to Beggars Banquet, resulting in major changes and increased commercial expectations from its stable of bands. When 1998's Ft. Lake failed to meet those expectations, most of the band left for full-time jobs. Stripped down to Defever and vocalist Lovetta Pippen, the band released two soul and R&B-influenced albums, alienating much of their fanbase. The band was eventually dropped by the label, leaving their future in doubt. In 2005, Defever co-founded the Silver Mountain Media label, and secured distribution for HNIA with major label Sony-BMG. 2006's Detrola was met with much acclaim, winning back many of the old fans from the 4AD days, and earning success on college rock radio. New singer Andy FM was best known as the keyboardist for Detroit underground favorites the Tranzistors and Sonapanic. In interviews Defever described her as "the best singer ever to sing me Elvis songs and Patsy Cline songs at my birthday party." From their catalogue of 40 albums (including archival releases), standouts include Livonia (1990), Home is in Your Head (1991), Mouth by Mouth (1993), Stars on E.S.P. (1996), Always Stay Sweet (1999), and Sweet Earth Flower: A Tribute to Marion Brown (2007). The group's name came from notes Defever took about Abraham Lincoln in a high school history class. Other than a summer job he had as a teen in his grandfather's cornfield in Canada, making music is the only job Defever has ever held.
Artist Website: 4ad.com/artists/hisnameisalive
Featured Albums: His Name is Alive
Related Artists: Warn Defever, Karin Oliver
