The Six Parts Seven
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Kent, Ohio |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Post-rock music, albums, EPs |
The Six Parts Seven is a post-rock ensemble originating from Kent, Ohio, established in 1995 by siblings Allen and Jay Karpinski, who handled guitar and drums respectively, after their tenure with Old Hearts Club. In 1997, guitarist Tim Gerak became part of the group. By 2024, their discography comprised six full-length albums alongside various EPs, remix collections, and compilation records.
Background
Their predominantly instrumental sound incorporates several clean electric guitars, bass, percussion, electric lap steel guitar, and viola, with occasional additions of piano, vibraphone, or trumpet. Past members have included vibraphonist Eric Koltnow and lap steel guitarist Ben Vaughan.
The band's name is derived from a 1676 statement by Virginia Governor William Berkeley: "How miserable that man is that governs a people where six parts of seven at least are poor, indebted, discontented and armed." Alternatively, some attribute the origin to a childhood game played by the Karpinski brothers.
Selections of their music have been utilized as transitional segments on NPR's All Things Considered program.
History
Their first album, In Lines and Patterns...,' was released in 1998. This was followed by Silence Magnifies Sound (2000), Things Shaped in Passing (2002), Everywhere, and Right Here (2004), and Casually Smashed to Pieces (2007). In 2024, they issued a collaborative project with Goodmorning Valentine named Kissing Distance, which had originally been recorded in 2006.
Band members
Current
- Allen Karpinski – guitar, bass, keyboards
- Jay Karpinski – drums
- Tim Gerak – guitar, banjo, Lap steel guitar, samples
- Mike Tolan – bass, guitar, organ, banjo
- Steve Clements – keyboards
- Jake Trombetta – lap steel guitar, guitar, piano
- Jennifer Court – clarinet
Former
- Brad Visker – bass
- Ben Vaughan – lap steel guitar
- Eric Koltnow – vibraphone
- Matt Haas – lap steel guitar
- Mary Mazzer – lap steel guitar
- Heather Wiker – viola
Studio albums
- In Lines and Patterns... (1998)
- Silence Magnifies Sound (2000)
- Things Shaped in Passing (2002)
- Everywhere, and Right Here (2004)
- Casually Smashed to Pieces (2007)
- Kissing Distance (2024)
EPs
- The Six Parts Seven/The Black Keys EP (2003)
- The Attitudes of Collapse (2003)
Remix albums
- Lost Notes from Forgotten Songs (2003)
Unofficial releases
- The Six Parts Seven (1995)
- Untitled EP (Solo Singles Series) (2001)
Compilations
- Slightest Indication of Change (2000)
- Troubleman Mix-Tape (2001)
- Devil in the Woods 52 (2002)