The Autumn Defense

Emerging at the dawn of the new millennium, The Autumn Defense evoked hues reminiscent of earlier times. John Stirratt, a enduring participant in Wilco who previously played with Uncle Tupelo, leads the group, which stems from his partnership with Pat Sansone, an artist who has collaborated with figures including Joseph Arthur, Swan Dive, and Josh Rouse. Originating from the Southern rock milieu of the closing years of the 1980s, the pair united ten years afterward in New Orleans once Stirratt had finished the Mermaid Avenue recordings alongside Wilco and Billy Bragg. The Autumn Defense crafts music that simultaneously welcomes and counters the atmospheres associated with fall, thereby embodying the group's moniker. This pair of multi-instrumentalists pursue the sunlight toward the western shores of California, drawing from the traditions of sophisticated Los Angeles pop and melodic craftsmanship of the 1960s and 1970s. Evocations arise readily from their vocal blends and sonic layers: echoes of the Beach Boys, perhaps a Wilson sibling, or the Byrds, Bee Gees, Bread, Zombies, and piano-oriented pop styles? Stirratt has identified the landmark Forever Changes by Love as a pivotal force shaping their approach. For their debut recording, Stirratt handled most of the composition while Sansone handled the production details of arrangement and engineering; additional performers were ex-Wilco members Ken Coomer on drums and Bob Egan on pedal and lap steel. Issued in 2000 via Stirratt's Broadmoor imprint, the project was titled The Green Hour. Given their numerous other musical obligations, Sansone and Stirratt advanced the Autumn Defense project gradually. Initiation of the follow-up recording occurred during the winter of 2002 within a Nashville studio belonging to an acquaintance. Following the passage of two summers plus one more winter, along with repeated exchanges connecting Chicago and New York, Circles became available in October 2003 through the Arena Rock imprint. This effort displayed a more grounded, reflective, and fittingly seasonal character, representing a creation of greater depth and refinement. The pair persisted in their joint musical endeavors whenever time permitted, yielding the self-titled release of 2007 along with Once Around in 2010. A fifth effort, fittingly named Fifth, emerged at the beginning of 2014.