Archer Prewitt

by Jason Ankeny
Musician and illustrator Archer Prewitt was born and raised in Frankfort, KY, going on to attend art school in Kansas City. There he co-founded the Coctails, a now-legendary quartet whose eclectic, Martin Denny-inspired kitsch-pop predated the lounge revival movement by a good half-decade; the band relocated to Chicago in 1991, issuing four albums and a series of singles before disbanding with a farewell show on New Years Eve, 1995. By that time, Prewitt was also ensconced as a member of the acclaimed post-rock combo the Sea and Cake; after completing the bands 1997 effort The Fawn, he returned to the studio to record his long-awaited solo debut, the outstanding In the Sun. White Sky followed two years later. In addition to his musical pursuits, Prewitt enjoyed success as a graphic artist — a onetime colorist for Marvel Comics, he also earned acclaim for his brilliant independent title Sof Boy. A third release entitled Gerroa Songs was released in fall 2000. Recorded on an old reel to reel recorder in Australia, it featured a far more stipped down sound. However, 2002s Three was a return to a more lush pop sound and detailed arrangements. In 2003, the Sean and Cake was back on duty, but Prewitt returned to his solo work and released Wilderness in early 2005.