Trespassers William
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 in Orange County, California, United States |
| Defunct | 2012 (hiatus), briefly reunited in 2020 |
| Headquarters | Orange County, California; later Seattle, Washington , United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Number of employees | 2 (final lineup) (2012) |
Trespassers William was an American indie rock group established in 1997 in Orange County, California. Over the span from 1997 to 2006, the band produced three albums and relocated to Seattle’s SoDo and Capitol Hill neighborhoods prior to releasing their third record, Having. The band dissolved in 2012 but reunited in 2020 to issue a standalone single.
Throughout its existence, Trespassers William underwent multiple personnel shifts, never maintaining an identical lineup across more than one album. The final formation consisted of vocalist Anna-Lynne Williams alongside guitarist and keyboardist Matt Brown as a duo. Williams also pursues a solo career under the name Lotte Kestner.
History
Originating in Orange County in 1997, Trespassers William issued four full-length albums and two EPs. Their initial release, Anchor (1999) through Sonikwire Records, presented a blend of alternative country and dream pop influences but is now out of circulation.
The band self-released Different Stars in 2002, which was subsequently reissued twice, most notably by Nettwerk Records in 2004. This re-release caught the attention of Simon Raymonde, formerly of Cocteau Twins, who signed them to his Bella Union label.
Early in 2004, Trespassers William relocated to Seattle, parting ways with drummer Jamie Williams. Their third album, Having, mixed by producer Dave Fridmann, debuted on February 28, 2006. It earned recognition from the webzine Somewhere Cold, ranking tenth in their 2006 awards.
The band toured extensively throughout both the United States and Europe, including a UK tour supporting Damien Rice and performing at festivals alongside Morrissey. Their work attracted moderate media attention in UK publications such as NME and Uncut, and their songs appeared on television shows like One Tree Hill and The O.C., as well as films including A Love Song for Bobby Long. They also opened for artists like Mark Burgess, Lisa Germano, Stereolab, and Tim Booth. Additionally, Williams provided guest vocals on The Chemical Brothers' track "Hold Tight London" (2005) and Black Swan Lane's "Fakers" (2007).
By 2009, Brown and Williams were the remaining core members of Trespassers William. Williams later reflected that the frequent changes in personnel hindered the band's unity. After releasing the EP The Natural Order of Things in 2009, the group went on hiatus and officially disbanded on January 1, 2012. During this time, Williams faced health challenges.
On September 4, 2012, Saint Marie Records released Cast, a compilation featuring B-sides and rarities along with an expanded edition of their 2009 EP. In 2017, Newsweek ranked Cast as the fifteenth greatest double album since Prince’s 1987 release Sign o' The Times, commending its consistent melancholic tone despite being a collection of rare tracks.
In 2020, Trespassers William briefly reunited to release the single "Winterstorms".
Band name origin
The name Trespassers William is inspired by a story from Winnie-the-Pooh, specifically "Pooh and Piglet Go Hunting and Nearly Catch a Woozle" by A.A. Milne:
Beside [Piglet's] home was a broken sign that read: "TRESPASSERS WILL." When Christopher Robin asked Piglet what it meant, he explained it was his grandfather’s name—short for Trespassers William. His grandfather had two names in case one was lost—Trespassers after an uncle, and William after Trespassers.
Influences
The group found creative motivation in artists such as The Smiths, Cocteau Twins, Red House Painters, Talk Talk, Sigur Rós, Kent, The Knife, Kate Bush, and Radiohead.
Albums
- Anchor (released November 30, 1999)
- Different Stars (released September 28, 2002)
- Having (released February 28, 2006)
Singles and EPs
- "Vapour Trail" [Single] (2003)
- "Lie in the Sound" [Single] (2004)
- Live Session [EP] (2005)
- Noble House [EP] (2007)
- The Natural Order of Things [EP] (March 12, 2009)
- "Winterstorms" [Single] (April 24, 2020)
- "Hold" [Single] (recorded in 2011, issued May 13, 2022)
Compilations
- Cast (September 4, 2012)
Soundtrack appearances
- A Love Song for Bobby Long (Original Soundtrack) (2004): features "Different Stars"
- Music from the Television Series One Tree Hill, Volume 1 (2005): includes "Lie In The Sound"
- Sweet Nothings: Love is a Mixtape (2006): contains "And We Lean In"
Final lineup
- Matt Brown – guitar and keyboards (1997–2012, 2020)
- Anna-Lynne Williams – vocals and guitar (1997–2012, 2020)
Former members
- Josh Gordon – bass guitar, drums, percussion, guitar (1999–2001)
- Trinidad Sanchez III – bass guitar (2001–2004)
- Ross Simonini – bass guitar and keyboards (2002–2009)
- Nathan Skolrud – drums, bass guitar, keyboards (2006–2009)
- Jamie Williams – drums (2001–2006)
Notes and references