Artist Wiki

Thievery Corporation

Overview

Thievery Corporation, the innovative electronic music duo from Washington D.C., seamlessly blends global sounds with electronic beats, creating a rich tapestry of downtempo vibes while addressing social and political themes through their art. With a career spanning over 25 years, they have shaped the chill-out genre and captivated audiences worldwide with their eclectic performances and collaborations.

Thievery Corporation

Thievery Corporation is an American electronic music duo consisting of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, formed in Washington D.C. in 1995. Over their decades-long career, they have become celebrated for their fusion of diverse global sounds with electronic music, maintaining a distinctive style while also addressing a variety of social issues through their art.

Origins and Formation

  • Rob Garza and Eric Hilton met in 1995 at Hilton's Eighteenth Street Lounge club in Washington D.C.
  • They bonded over their shared love of dub, bossa nova, and jazz records.
  • Decided to experiment with mixing these styles in a recording studio.
  • Formed Thievery Corporation in the summer of 1995.

Musical Style and Influences

  • Blend elements of dub, acid jazz, reggae, Indian classical, Middle Eastern music, hip hop, electronica, and Brazilian music (including bossa nova).
  • Influenced by artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, The Clash, Fela Kuti, and Manu Chao.
  • Known for their downtempo electronic sound with global influences.
  • Incorporate live instrumentation alongside electronic elements.

Career Highlights

  • Released debut album "Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi" in 1996.
  • Breakthrough hit "Lebanese Blonde" featured on the Garden State soundtrack in 2004.
  • Have released 8 studio albums, 2 remix collections, and 2 DJ mix albums as of 2020.
  • Performed live on 5 continents.
  • Sold several million albums worldwide.
  • Headlined major festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza.

Notable Collaborations

  • Have worked with artists like:
    • David Byrne
    • Perry Farrell
    • The Flaming Lips
    • Anushka Shankar
    • Femi Kuti
    • Seu Jorge
    • Bebel Gilberto

Live Performances

  • Known for elaborate live shows featuring a large ensemble of musicians and vocalists.
  • Live band can include drummers, percussionists, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, horn section, sitar player, and multiple vocalists.

Political and Social Views

  • Music often contains social and political commentary.
  • Oppose war, economic exploitation, and champion human rights.
  • 2008 album "Radio Retaliation" was particularly outspoken on political issues.

Business Approach

  • Run their own independent record label, Eighteenth Street Lounge Music.
  • Maintain a DIY ethos and have avoided major label backing.

Legacy and Influence

  • Considered pioneers of electronic music blended with global sounds.
  • Influenced a generation of electronic producers and DJs.
  • Helped define and popularize the downtempo/chill-out genre in the late 1990s/early 2000s.

Thievery Corporation has maintained a successful career for over 25 years by consistently producing innovative electronic music that incorporates diverse global influences, while also maintaining an independent and socially conscious approach to their art and business.

Sources

Date added:
Fri Mar 21 2025 14:52:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)