Alias (musician)

Alias
Birth nameBrendon Patrick Whitney[1]
Born(1976-04-05)April 5, 1976
OriginHollis, Maine
DiedMarch 30, 2018(2018-03-30) (aged 41)
GenresHip hop
Instrumental hip hop
Occupation(s)Producer, rapper
Instrument(s)Sampler, drum machine, synthesizer, guitar
Years active1996–2018
LabelsAnticon, Mush, 6months
Formerly ofDeep Puddle Dynamics
Alias & Ehren
Alias & Tarsier
Websitewww.anticon.com

Brendon Patrick Whitney (April 5, 1976 – March 30, 2018), better known by his stage name Alias, was an American producer and rapper from Hollis, Maine.[2] He was a co-founder of the indie hip hop record label Anticon.[3]

History

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Alias originally performed as a rapper with Sole in the group Live Poets. He also produced his own songs, but would still rap over another producer's beats. He moved to California in 1999 to start the label Anticon, as well as to focus on his music. Later on, as Alias began working with Anticon, he produced tracks for the emcees on the label.[citation needed]

In 2002, Alias released his first solo album The Other Side of the Looking Glass. He produced and rapped on the album.[4] After that, Alias moved away from rapping to focus solely on production. His production work also moved away from sampling and began to involve more synthesizers and instruments such as guitar. He released his first instrumental album Muted in 2003.[5] The compilation of his remix works, Collected Remixes, was released in 2007.[6] He returned home to Portland, Maine in August 2007.

In 2008, Alias released the album Resurgam. The album is titled after the Portland city motto, which is Latin for "I shall rise again." "Well Water Black" featuring Yoni Wolf of Why? was a popular song from the album, but was never officially released as a single.[7]

In 2011, Alias released the instrumental album Fever Dream.[8]

He died on March 30, 2018, of a heart attack at age 41.[9] Artists such as Son Lux offered their condolences to Whitney's family, and a GoFundMe page was created in support of his wife and children.[10]

Discography

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Studio albums

EPs

  • Three Phase Irony (6months, 2001)
  • We Ain't Fessin' (Double Quotes) (Anticon, 2002) (Deep Puddle Dynamics)
  • Eyes Closed EP (Anticon, 2003)
  • Plane That Draws a White Line (Anticon, 2006) (with Tarsier)
  • Resurgam Residual EP (Anticon, 2008)
  • Indiiggo EP (Anticon, 2014)

Compilation albums

  • Bits & Pieces (2000)
  • All Things Fixable (Good with Money, 2005)
  • Collected Remixes (Anticon, 2007)
  • All Things Fixable 2.0 (Good with Money, 2011)

Singles

  • "Rainmen" (Anticon, 1999) (Deep Puddle Dynamics)
  • "Sideshow" (Mush, 2001) (So-Called Artists)
  • "Final Act" (Anticon, 2001)
  • "Unseen Sights" (Anticon, 2004)
  • "Dr. C / 5 Year Eve" (Anticon, 2006) (with Tarsier)

Guest appearances

Compilation appearances

Production credits

Remixes

References

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  1. ^ "DAHORSES". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Alias at Allmusic
  3. ^ Grandy, Eric (August 31, 2011). "Alias: Fever Dream". Pitchfork Media.
  4. ^ Thomas-Glass, Daniel (July 2, 2002). "Alias - The Other Side of the Looking Glass". Dusted Magazine. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  5. ^ Tabron, Chris (September 19, 2005). "Alias and Ehren - Lillian". Dusted Magazine. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  6. ^ Kerr, Dave (8 September 2007). "Alias: All Things Remixable". The Skinny.
  7. ^ Lily Clarke, Mia (November 7, 2008). "Alias: Resurgam". Pitchfork Media.
  8. ^ Woolfrey, Chris (August 5, 2011). "Alias – Fever Dream". Consequence of Sound.
  9. ^ Yoo, Noah (31 March 2018). "Anticon Co-Founder Brendon Whitney (Alias) Dead at 41". Pitchfork Media.
  10. ^ Kreps, Daniel (2018-03-31). "Anticon Rapper-Producer Alias Dead at 41". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
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