Cass McCombs
Backgroundperson
Landscapeyes
Birth dateNovember 13, 1977 (age 48)
Birth placeConcord, California, U.S.
GenreIndie rock[1] · indie folk[2] · folk rock[3] · psychedelic folk[4]
OccupationSinger-songwriter
InstrumentVocals · guitar · keyboards
Years active1990s–present
LabelMonitor · 4AD · Domino · Anti-
Current member ofThe Skiffle Players
Websitecassmccombs.com

Cass McCombs (born November 13, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter.[5]

Career

McCombs has played in numerous bands in the Bay Area during the 1990s before relocating to New York City. He released his debut EP Not the Way E.P. (2002), debut album A (2003), and follow-up PREfection (2005) via Monitor Records and 4AD.[6] In 2007, McCombs signed to Domino Records and released Dropping the Writ (2007). Domino Records released his following four records including Catacombs (2009), which was voted one of the "50 Top Albums on the Year" by Pitchfork.[7] It was followed by Wit's End (2011),[8] Humor Risk (2011),[9] and Big Wheel and Others (2013).[10] He toured with John Cale in 2012.

His single "Bradley Manning" premiered on the Democracy Now News Hour in 2012.[10] His songs have been featured in films including the surf film The Present (2009),[11] and Ralph Arlyck documentary Following Sean,[12] as well as notable skate videos featuring Jason Dill,[13] Jerry Hsu,[14] Chima Ferguson and Dylan Rieder.[15]

In 2014, he did a co-headlining tour with the Meat Puppets.[16] In June 2016, McCombs performed at the Primavera Sound and Field Day music festivals.[17]

McCombs ANTI- Records debut, Mangy Love was released on August 26, 2016,[18] which NME referred to as "McCombs' richest ever recording."[19] On February 8, 2019 he released Tip of the Sphere on ANTI- Records.[20] In 2020, Spurl Editions published McCombs' debut poetry collection Toy Fabels.[21] His tenth studio album, Heartmind, was released on ANTI- Records on August 19, 2022.[22]

In 2023, McCombs and Mr Greg, a San Francisco school teacher, released the album Mr Greg & Cass McCombs Sing and Play New Folk Songs for Children on Smithsonian Folkways.[23]

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Compilations

References

  1. ^ Hermes, Will (February 8, 2019). "Review: Cass McCombs' Trippy, Guitar-Charged 'Tip of The Sphere'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  2. ^ Richards, Chris (April 22, 2011). "Pop CD review: 'Wit's End,' by Cass McCombs". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Kinney, Fergal (February 8, 2019). "Cass McCombs - Tip of the Sphere". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  4. ^ Kaye, Ben (October 30, 2018). "Cass McCombs announces new album, Tip of the Sphere, shares “Sleeping Volcanoes”: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  5. ^
  6. ^ RCRD LBL Archived March 25, 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ (December 17, 2009). Pitchfork: Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2009 Archived July 28, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Pitchfork.
  8. ^ Domino USA (January 27, 2011). Cass McCombs Returns With a New Album. Press Release.
  9. ^ Domino USA (August 17, 2011). Humor Risk. Press Release.
  10. ^ "CASS MCCOMBS & THE MEAT PUPPETS – Wednesday, November 5 – Vinyl". Archived from the original on December 25, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  11. ^ JettyGirl Surf Movie Review – The Present, a film by Thomas Campbell Archived February 9, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1-28-11.
  12. ^ Following Sean – Production Credits. PBS. Retrieved 1-28-11.
  13. ^ Dill, Jason (December 27, 2008). Jason Dill DVS Skate More. Archived December 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ^ Hsu, Jerry (March 29, 2007). "Sacred Heart" by Cass McCombs. Archived December 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.
  15. ^ Rieder, Dylan (August 24, 2010). dylan.. Archived December 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ^ "Cass McCombs Announces Tour with Meat Puppets". Pitchfork. August 14, 2014.
  17. ^ "Cass McCombs". Primavera Sound Festival. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  18. ^ "Cass McCombs announces new album, Mangy Love, shares "Opposite House" — listen". Consequence of Sound. May 24, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  19. ^ "Cass McCombs – 'Mangy Love' Album Review". NME. August 18, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  20. ^ "Cass McCombs: Tip of the Sphere". Pitchfork. February 9, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Toy Fabels by Cass McCombs". Spurl Editions. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  22. ^ Strauss, Matthew (June 8, 2022). "Cass McCombs Announces New Album Heartmind, Shares New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  23. ^ Strauss, Matthew (June 21, 2023). "Cass McCombs Announces Children’s Music Album With Mr. Greg, Shares New Song". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved November 8, 2024.