Cotton Mather (band)

Cotton Mather (band)

Cotton Mather are an indie rock band that was founded by Robert Harrison of Austin, Texas in the early 1990s. What started as an experimental collaboration with cellist Nat Shelton had by 1993 evolved into a guitar driven pop quartet defined by accessible melodies, strong vocal harmonies and lyrical wit. They have drawn comparisons to the Beatles, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Squeeze, and Guided By Voices. In his 2007 book, Shake Some Action, John Borack rated the Kon Tiki album at number 26 of his Top 200 Power Pop Albums of all time, comparing the album to Revolver-era Beatles, Big Star, and Apples in Stereo. NME suggested Cotton Mather might just be "... the most exciting guitar pop band since Supergrass."

The group (with the lineup Robert Harrison (guitar and vocals), Whit Williams (guitar and vocals), Matt Hovis (bass) and Greg Thibeaux (drums)) released their debut Cotton is King in 1994 on the short lived ELM label. The follow-up Kon Tiki, famously recorded on 4-track cassette and ADAT drew praise from critics and rock-stars alike. By this time George Reiff had assumed bass playing honors and Dana Myzer had taken over on drums. The group's best-known lineup with Harrison, Williams, Myzer and Josh Gravelin (bass) released the 7 song mini-album Hotel Baltimore in 2000 and The Big Picture in 2002. In 2013 and with the same lineup, the group released a new studio single entitled "I'll Be Gone." They are currently working on an all-new studio album, which will be followed by a double-disc live concert album.