THICK PIGEON
biography




One of the more mysterious artists to record for the stylish Crepuscule/Factory axis, Thick Pigeon was essentially a vehicle for songwriter Stanton Miranda and arranger Carter Burwell. Based in New York, the duo recorded a brace of oblique, minimalist singles for Crepuscule in 1981-82 before moving sideways to Factory for their first album.

Recorded in Manchester in late 1983, Too Crazy Cowboys saw the Duo initially joined Steve Morris and Gillian Gilbert of New Order, as well as Gillian's sister Kim. In true Factory fashion the album was released a year late. The American press release from 1984 ran thus:

"The long awaited Thick Pigeon album, recorded last fall in Manchester, England, with the aid of Steve Morris and Gillian Gilbert (from New Order) is a subtle, sculptured series of vignettes. Though recording took a matter of a few weeks, the project has been taking shape over the last three years. Thick Pigeon consists of the nucleus of Miranda (bass, vocals, tambourine and writing) and Carter Burwell (vocals, effects, percussion). For the album they were joined by Steve Morris (drums), Gillian Gilbert (keyboards, guitar), Kim Gilbert and Karen Brown (backing vocals). Thick Pigeon hold the distiction of being the first Factory US record to be mastered digitally. A unique event for an equally unique record, it has already been called 'a walk through the civilisation of your soul' - not what one would expect from a band named Thick Pigeon.

"As well as her work with Thick Pigeon, Miranda has been an active participant in the kaleidoscopic New York music scene. having worked with members of NY bands Arsenal, Sonic Youth and Sleeping Dogs, she is currently collaborating with Michael Dieckman in Lt 70, and also contributing to Hit By a Truck."

Miranda also played in the band CKM, put together by visual artist Dan Graham, with Christine Hahn (ex Malaria) and Kim Gordon (later of Sonic Youth). See Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad (2001), p.234.

Housed in a cover designed by noted American artist Lawrence Weiner, Too Crazy Cowboys was released both by Factory (Fact 85) and Factory US (Factus 16) in September 1984. It proved to be the last Thick Pigeon record released under that moniker, as Carter Burwell then elected to concentrate on film scores.

After the club-friendly single Wheels Over Indian Trails in 1986, released as Stanton Miranda, it would be seven years before Miranda and Carter reconvened for the delightful Miranda Dali album, released by Crepuscule in 1991. A full discography can be found below. One of the hallmarks of the Thick Pigeon and Stanton Miranda story is the plethora of exclusive tracks released on compilation albums. Another is the free adaptation of 'classic' material. Yet another are their fruitful collaborations with guest musicians. As Miranda herself concludes of her musical career to date: 'While still underage I managed to play in many different bands (Hit by a Truck, The Day Bill Quit his Job...), in different venues, with several misadventures. When recording my own music my friends came through and I am forever grateful.'

In addition to writing music, Stanton Miranda has acted in feature films by Jonathan Demme (including Married to the Mob and Something Wild), worked off- Broadway with John Leguezamo, and given art performances at The Kitchen (NYC). Her cv also includes voiceover work for Perscriptives (a commercial), Dan Graham's video catalogue for DIA Center for the Arts, and Robert Frank's short film Flamingo. In 1998 she played the lead role in Michael Shamberg's film Souvenir, co-starring Kristin Scott Thomas. Miranda also recorded a cover version of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart for the Virgin/Hut compilation A Means to an End, and was the featured singer on two tracks (Red Shoes and When the World) on The Guitar and Other Machines by Durutti Column. Carter Burwell has scored approximately 50 major motion pictures, including Gods and Monsters, Adaptation, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Being John Malkovich, as well as almost every feature made by Joel and Ethan Coen. On his soundtrack for Psycho III, Stanton Miranda was a featured singer.

James Nice
Febrary 2003


THICK PIGEON / STANTON MIRANDA discography:

Subway b/w Sudan Crepuscule TWI 038, 1/1982 7"
Tracy + Pansy b/w Dog Crepuscule TWI 108, 11/1982 7"
Jingle Bell Rock Operation Twilight OPT 020, 12/1982 7"
Too Crazy Cowboys Factory Fact 85, 9/1984 LP
Wheels Over Indian Trails Factory Benelux FBN 44, 3/1986 7"/12"
Miranda Dali Crepuscule TWI 938, 2/1991 CD

Compilation tracks:
Sudan (Acoustic) on Crepuscule TWI 035, 1/1981
Silhouettes on Crepuscule TWI 058, 12/1981
Woodentop Talk on Crepuscule RAD 005, 12/1981
Handel's Messiah on Crepuscule TWI 450, 12/1984
Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend (as above)
Blue Christmas on Factory Fact 175, 12/1986
Pope on Factory US Factus 17, 5/1987
Love Will Tear Us Apart on Hut/Virgin 29, 1995


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