Washed Out

This article is about the musician. For the film, see Washed Out (film).
Washed Out
Washed Out performing in July 2016
Washed Out performing in July 2016
Background information
Birth nameErnest Weatherly Greene Jr.
Born (1982-10-03) October 3, 1982 (age 42)
Perry, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Labels
Websitewashedout.net

Ernest Weatherly Greene Jr. (born October 3, 1982), known professionally as Washed Out, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Commonly associated with the chillwave genre in the 2010s, Pitchfork dubbed him "the godfather of chillwave".[5]

Life and career

Ernest Weatherly Greene Jr. was born on October 3, 1982, in Perry, Georgia, and currently lives in Atlanta.[6][7][8] After earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, he obtained a Master of Library and Information Science degree but was unable to find a job as a librarian. Greene moved back in with his parents and started producing songs in his bedroom studio,[7][9] as well as working on recordings of dance music with Bedroom, a local band.[10] During 2008 he recorded lo-fi rock music under the name Lee Weather, but the following summer he found more success with his new project, Washed Out.[11] He was soon discovered by a number of influential music bloggers after they found his music on his Myspace page.[12] His first recordings have been described as "drowsy, distorted, dance pop-influenced tracks that brought to mind Neon Indian and Memory Tapes".[10]

Greene's first two extended plays were released in August and September 2009. He held his debut New York City performance (his second live show ever) at Santos Party House. He has since performed at the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival[13] and his song "Feel It All Around" is used as the opening theme for the television series Portlandia.[14]

Washed Out performing at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, 2011

In April 2011 it was announced that he had been signed to Sub Pop. His debut, Within and Without, then released on July 12, 2011. The album peaked at #26 on the Billboard 200 and #89 on the UK Albums Chart. He was chosen by Battles to perform at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas festival that they co-curated in December 2011 in Minehead, England.[15]

Washed Out's second album, Paracosm, was released on August 13, 2013. The first single was "It All Feels Right", followed by "Don't Give Up".[16] The same year, "New Theory" from Life of Leisure featured in-background on a scene from The Spectacular Now. In May 2014, he was reporting to be working on a third studio album, but he stated, "I'm figuring out the next step."[17]

On May 19, Washed Out announced dates for his "Get Lost" tour, taking place in July 2017. Subsequently, he released his third studio album, Mister Mellow, on June 30, 2017. The album was produced at Stones Throw Records with the help of Cole M.G.N.[18]

In April 2018, Washed Out released a new single, "Face Up" as part of Adult Swim's Singles Series.[19][20] The single was later included on his fourth album, Purple Noon (2020).[21] In April 2020, Washed Out released a new single, "Too Late".[22] On June 30, 2020, Washed Out announced that a new album called Purple Noon would be released on August 7, 2020. He also released a new single, "Time to Walk Away".[23]

During the Solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, Washed Out performed his music video for the song "Waking Up" in one take at Bandera, Texas. The performance was posted to his YouTube channel two months after the eclipse.[24]

In May 2024, Washed Out announced his fifth studio album, Notes from a Quiet Life, and released its first single, "The Hardest Part", the video of which was made with OpenAI's Sora.[25][26]

Musical style

Washed Out's style has been identified with the chillwave movement.[7] He has said hip hop influences the way he writes songs.[27]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[28] 		US
Dance
[29] 		US
Indie
[30] 		US
Rock
[31] 		AUS
Hit
[32] 		NOR
[33] 		NL
[34] 		NZ
Heat
[35] 		UK
[36] 		UK
Indie
[37]
Within and Without 26 — 5 6 20 36 80 — 89 12
Paracosm
  • Released: August 13, 2013[39]
  • Label: Sub Pop
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 21 — 3 5 7 — — — 101 21
Mister Mellow —[A] 8 — —[B] 15 — — 9 —[C] —
Purple Noon
  • Released: August 7, 2020[21]
  • Label: Sub Pop
  • Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download
 —[D] — 35 33 — — — — —[E] —[F]
Notes from a Quiet Life
  • Released: June 28, 2024
  • Label: Sub Pop
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 —[G] 19 — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays

Title Details
High Times[45]
  • Released: September 9, 2009
  • Label: Mirror Universe Tapes
  • Format: Cassette (200 copies)
Life of Leisure[46]
  • Released: September 16, 2009
  • Label: Mexican Summer
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
Untitled
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: N/A
  • Format: CD (offered to fans on tour)

Singles

Title Year Peak positions Certifications Album
US
Sales
[47] 		US
Dance
[48] 		US
Rock
DL
[49] 		MEX
Air.
[50]
"Feel It All Around" 2009 — — — 13 Life of Leisure EP
"You'll See It (Small Black Remix)" 2010 43 — — — Washed Out/Small Black split
"Eyes Be Closed"[52] 2011 — 10 — 50 Within and Without
"Amor Fati" — — 46 —
"It All Feels Right" 2013 — — — 49 Paracosm
"Don't Give Up" — — — —
"Get Lost" 2017 — — — — Mister Mellow
"Hard to Say Goodbye" — — — —
"Face Up" 2018 — — — — Purple Noon
"Too Late" 2020 — — — —
"Time to Walk Away" — — — —
"Sidney's Lullaby" / "Miles' Lullaby" 2021 — — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Notes

  1. ^ "Mister Mellow" did not enter the Billboard 200 chart, but peaked at number 91 on the Top Current Album Sales chart.[41]
  2. ^ "Mister Mellow" did not enter the Rock & Alternative Albums chart, but peaked at number 22 on the Alternative Album Sales chart.[42]
  3. ^ Mister Mellow did not enter the UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 36 on the UK Record Store Chart.[43]
  4. ^ "Purple Noon" did not enter the Billboard 200 chart, but peaked at number 18 on the Top Current Album Sales chart.[41]
  5. ^ Purple Noon did not enter the UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 20 on the UK Record Store Chart.[44]
  6. ^ Purple Noon did not enter the UK Independent Albums Chart, but peaked at number 22 on the UK Independent Album Breakers Chart.[44]
  7. ^ "Notes from a Quiet Life" did not enter the Billboard 200 chart, but peaked at number 41 on the Top Current Album Sales chart.[41]

Guest appearances

Title Year Album
"You & I" 2010 Adult Swim Singles Program 2010
"Belong" Kitsuné Maison Compilation 9[53]
"Straight Back" 2012 Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
"Outta My System - Washed Out Remix" Outta My System: Remixez Y Friendz
"Want" 2015 Samantha
"Forgive" 2018 Young Romance

References

  1. ^ Goble, Corban (April 1, 2011). "R.I.P., chillwave: the top 10 chillwave artists, and where they are now". The Pitch.
  2. ^ Ugwu, Reggie (July 25, 2013). "Chillwave Hero Washed Out Masters the Not-Quite Concept Album With 'Paracosm'". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  3. ^ Kloeppel, Geena (June 12, 2017). "Washed Out Announces New Album Mister Mellow". Spin. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  4. ^ Radford, Chad (February 28, 2012). "Washed Out keyboardist escapes chillwave with Dog Bite". Creative Loafing. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017.
  5. ^ Kemp, Sophie. "Purple Noon". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  6. ^ Reges, Margaret. "Washed Out". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Williams, Wyatt (March 23, 2010). "How Washed Out became the poster boy of electro's chillwave movement". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  8. ^ "Washed Out". The Lepanto League. 2009-07-27. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  9. ^ Oder, Norman (October 22, 2009). "LJ Talks to Ernest Greene, Unemployed LIS Grad, Breakout Musician". Library Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  10. ^ a b "Washed Out - Biography". billboardbiz. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  11. ^ "Washed Out Chillwave / dreampop from the US". www.fredperry.com. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  12. ^ "Rising: Washed Out". Pitchfork Media. September 1, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  13. ^ Pitchfork, July 20, 2010 (2010-07-20). "Articles: Photos: Pitchfork Music Festival 2010". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2011-12-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Cridlin, Jay (February 29, 2012). "SoundBytes: LMFAO, Washed Out, Dan Aykroyd and more". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 5 Feb 2018.
  15. ^ "ATP Nightmare Before Christmas". Atpfestival.com. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  16. ^ "Listen to Washed Out's Sunny New Single "It All Feels Right"". MTV. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  17. ^ "Washed Out Talks Soundscape of New Album: 'I'm Figuring Out the Next Step'". Radio.com. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  18. ^ "Washed Out | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  19. ^ "Washed Out returns with new song "Face Up": Stream". 4 April 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Washed Out – "Face Up"". Spin.com. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Sub Pop - Purple Noon by Washed Out". Subpop.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  22. ^ "Washed Out finds connection on new single "Too Late": Stream". Consequence of Sound. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  23. ^ Minsker, Evan (30 June 2020). "Washed Out Announces New Album Purple Noon, Shares New Song". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  24. ^ Gobeli, Abbie (2024-06-13). "Washed Out Shares "Waking Up (Solar Eclipse Performance)"". Sub Pop Records. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  25. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (2024-05-02). "Washed Out Shares New Song "The Hardest Part" And Video Made With OpenAI's Sora". Stereogum. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  26. ^ Lee, Wendy (2024-05-02). "Washed Out's new music video was created with AI. Is it a watershed moment for Sora?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  27. ^ "Interview with Washed Out". Lifelounge.com.au. 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  28. ^ "Washed Out - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  29. ^ "Washed Out - Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  30. ^ "Washed Out - Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  31. ^ "Washed Out - Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  32. ^ Peaks on the Australian Hitseekers Albums chart:
  33. ^ Steffen Hung (2011-07-08). "Washed Out - Within And Without". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  34. ^ Steffen Hung (2011-07-23). "Washed Out - Within And Without". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  35. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  36. ^ "Washed Out - Album". Official Charts Company Stats.
  37. ^ Peaks on the UK Independent Albums chart:
  38. ^ "iTunes - Music - Within and Without (Bonus Track Version) by Washed Out". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  39. ^ "Sub Pop - Paracosm by Washed Out". subpop.com. 2013-07-20. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
  40. ^ "Washed Out Announces New Album Mister Mellow". PitchFork. June 12, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  41. ^ a b c "Washed Out - Top Current Album Sales". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  42. ^ "Washed Out – Chart History: Alternative Album Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  43. ^ "Mister Mellow - Washed Out - Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  44. ^ a b "Purple Noon - Washed Out - Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  45. ^ Calum Marsh (2009-10-21). "Washed Out: High Times (Mirror Universe; 2009) | Record Reviews @". Cokemachineglow.com. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  46. ^ "iTunes - Music - Life of Leisure - EP by Washed Out". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  47. ^ "Washed Out - Hot Singles Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  48. ^ "Washed Out - Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  49. ^ "Washed Out - Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  50. ^ "Washed Out - Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  51. ^ "Gold & Platinum – Washed Ouy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  52. ^ "iTunes - Music - Eyes Be Closed (Remixes) - EP by Washed Out". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  53. ^ "iTunes - Music - Kitsuné Maison Compilation 9 (Petit Bateau Edition) by Various Artists". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-04-20. Retrieved 2011-12-20.