The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir is an American indie pop band from Chicago.
History The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir was formed in 2001 by two college graduates with degrees in music. Despite the name, none of the members are from Scotland Yard or London and they do not play gospel music.Scotland Yard Gospel Choir. Village Voice, October 20, 2007. Matthew Kerstein and Elia Einhorn initially released the four-track recording Do You Still Stick Out in the Crowd, then expanded to a four-piece by adding Ellen O'Hayer and Sam Koentopp, before releasing the single "Jennie That Cries".[ Scotland Yard Gospel Choir] at Allmusic The group began playing locally in Chicago, soon opening for Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, the Walkmen, the Fiery Furnaces, and Jay Bennett. In late 2003, they released a debut album, titled I Bet you Say That to All The Boys.Review, PopMatters, July 7, 2004 In 2005, Kerstein and Koentopp left to form a new band, called Brighton MA. Einhorn continued to front SYGC, with their second release, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, coming out on Bloodshot Records in 2007.A Morrissey Shirt Says a Lot About a Person. NPR, January 29, 2008Heartbreak Be Damned. Portland Mercury, December 5, 2007.
On September 24, 2009, the band was involved in a major automobile accident while on tour.SYGC in Van Accident, Bloodshotrecords.comChicago indie band injured when van crashes in Indiana, Chicagobreakingnews.com Their tour van's tire split and the vehicle rolled several times. All members survived.Musicians Face Medical Maze WBEZ, July 10, 2010
Band members Current members Elia Einhorn – vocals, guitar Mary Ralph – guitar, vocals Ethan Adelsman – violin, vocals, guitar Jay Santana – drums Mark Yoshizumi – bass Alison Hinderliter – keys Sam Johnson – trumpet, vocals Matt Priest – trombone, vocals
Past members Sam Koentopp – drums Ellen O'Hayer – cello, bass, vocals Matthew Kerstein – guitar, vocals Devon Bryant – bass
Discography Albums I Bet You Say That to All the Boys (2003) The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (2007) ...and the Horse You Rode in On (2009)
Singles "Jennie That Cries"/"Not Helicopters" (2002) "I Never Thought I Could Feel This Way for a Boy"/"A Good Kind of Crazy" (2003) "Clark & Belmont" (2016)
References
External links The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir at Bloodshot Records