If Thousands
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Duluth , United States |
| Products | Drone music albums and performances |
If Thousands is a drone ensemble originating from Duluth, Minnesota, known for their American drone music style. Since releasing their initial album "Candice Recorder" in 2001, they have toured across the United States alongside Low and have been featured on NPR. Christian McShane has also collaborated with Charlie Parr in the project Devil's Flying Machine, while Aaron Molina previously played in the rock group Small Engine City. Their album Yellowstone includes contributions from Nathan Amundson of Rivulets.
In an interview with Dreamland Recordings, McShane explained that If Thousands aims to guide listeners into profound relaxation. Their extensive 25-hour drone piece Elegy, created in tribute to artist Michael Lenz, was designed to facilitate emotional release through prolonged sound immersion. This focus on deep relaxation extended into live shows such as Slumber, where audience members were invited to bring pillows and blankets to sleep during the performance.
Aaron Molina moved away from punk bands in search of fresh musical paths, while McShane, trained in classical vocal techniques, engaged in local collaborations including "Experimental Tuesdays" with Alan Sparhawk of Low—an event dedicated to promoting experimental art and music in Duluth.
The band's distinctive sound is anchored by electric guitar and the continuous drone produced by a Hammond M3 organ, which was the sole keyboard McShane initially owned. Additionally, he played a MicroMoog synthesizer discovered abandoned in the Superior National Forest. Due to the Hammond M3's weight, it was dismantled for transport and reassembled at each venue; during one such setup, McShane experienced an electric shock but fully recovered.
After regrouping in 2013 to record For, If Thousands remained active through January 2018, releasing singles and performing at Minneapolis' Drone Not Drones festival.
Lineup
- Aaron Molina — bass, guitar, vocals, sound effects
- Christian McShane — keyboards including organ and piano, theremins, cello, Erhu, accordion, guitar, circuit benders, sound effects
Studio albums
- Candice Recorder – (Sirsumcorda, 2001)
- Io – (Self-Released, 2002)
- Lullaby – (Silber Records, 2003)
- Yellowstone – (Chairkickers' Union Music, 2003)
- 2d (collaboration with A Whisper in the Noise) – (Co-Released, 2004)
- GREYSTONE AT SEA – (Dreamland Recordings Australia, 2005)
- I Have Nothing – (Silber Records, 2005)
- For – (Self-released in 2014; later Silber Records)
Compilations
- "In Return" – (NotOnLabel Records, 2002)
- "Songs for the End of the World" – (Silber Records, 2002)
- Sunshine Comes Slowly Through My Window – (Finding Datura Records, 2003)
- Who Killed Cock Robin? – (ELF Films, 2004)
- Winter Wishes – (Silber Records, 2004)
- Drones, Loves, Honesties, Sounds – (Silber Records, 2006)
- Kaleidescopic #6 – (Ambolthue Records, 2007)
Films
- "Who Killed Cock Robin?" directed by Travis Wilkerson – (Extreme Low Frequency, 2005)
- "Strange Nature" directed by Jim Ojala – (Ojala Productions, 2009)
References
- Casey, Chris. Dark-Glam Band Brings Music, Vendors to Norshor for 'La Belle Epoque' Fetish Fest, Duluth News-Tribune, January 26, 2001
- Cohoon, Dan. If Thousands Interview, Frequency Squared, November 30, 2005
- Godsey, Chris. Slumber, Duluth: A Festival of Dozing, MNArtists, October 19, 2004
- Henning, Sarah. Slumber Will Rock You to Sleep, Duluth News-Tribune, October 21, 2004
- Smith, Rod. Space Invaders, City Pages, December 11, 2002
- Virtucio, V. Paul. Defying Definition: If Thousands Can't Put a Label on Its Own Sound, Duluth News-Tribune, June 22, 2001