Sixpence None the Richer

History

Formation and early years (1992–1996)

Guitarist/songwriter Matt Slocum met Leigh Nash in the early 1990s and recorded a demo, circulated as "The Original Demos", with bassist T.J. Behling at Verge Music Works recording studio in Dallas, and eventually an album, The Fatherless and the Widow, for the independent label R.E.X. Records in 1994. After adding more members, the band toured in support of The Fatherless and the Widow. The band released This Beautiful Mess in 1995.

The band's name was inspired by a passage from C. S. Lewis's book Mere Christianity discussing how children buying gifts for their parents with the parents' money means the parents are "none the richer" monetarily even though there is value in the act (mirroring the Christian God/human dynamic).

Into the mainstream (1997–2004)

In 1997, the group signed to Steve Taylor's label Squint Entertainment and released a self-titled album, which began garnering attention from mainstream audiences.

In 1998, "Kiss Me" was released as a single, propelling Sixpence None the Richer into the national pop spotlight. The next year, the band followed up with a cover of The La's' "There She Goes". Sixpence appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and numerous morning talk shows.

The band had a follow-up album ready to release, but Squint Entertainment started to fall apart, leaving the band in limbo for several years. Finally, Squint Entertainment folded, and the album, Divine Discontent, was released in 2002.

The band made a musical appearance in season 7 episode 16 of the sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch (2003).

On February 26, 2004, Matt Slocum announced that the group had disbanded.

First reunion and ''Lost in Transition'' (2007–2016)

In November 2007, Sixpence None the Richer reunited. It released the EP My Dear Machine on the website NoiseTrade in 2008, the band's first official release since The Best of Sixpence None the Richer in 2004. In October 2008, it released a Christmas album, The Dawn of Grace.

Sixpence signed to Credential Recordings and played a headline slot at the 2009 Greenbelt Festival in the UK. According to Nash, the band began recording a new album in 2010. The album, Lost in Transition, was released on August 7, 2012.

Second reunion and ''Rosemary Hill'' (2023–present)

In September 2023, Nash released a single, "The Tide", that additionally credited Sixpence None the Richer, making it the band's first new song in 11 years. She and Slocum also announced a new tour with 10,000 Maniacs, playing songs by both bands, but in January 2024, Nash and Slocum left the tour early, saying they "had other commitments arise".

In January 2024, it was announced that drummer Dale Baker was returning to the band and that it had signed a management deal with Deep South Entertainment with plans to re-release its self-titled album on vinyl. In June, it announced a 25th-anniversary tour with the classic lineup for the first time since Baker left. In August 2024, it announced a new single, We are Love, and a new EP, Rosemary Hill, released on October 4, 2024.

While the band has made no official changes to their lineup, Dale has not played many of their 2025 tour dates, with Jon Radler filling in for international dates and their planned Christmas tour in 2025.

Band members

Current members

• Leigh Nash – vocals (1992–2004, 2007–present)
• Matt Slocum – guitar, cello (1992–2004, 2007–present)
• Justin Cary – bass (1997–2004, 2008–present)
• Dale Baker – drums (1993–2001, 2024–present)

Current touring members

• Steve Hindalong – percussion, guitars (2024–present)
• Jon Radford – drums (2025–present)

Former members

• T. J. Behling – bass (1992–1993)
• Mark Couvillion – guitars (1992–1993)
• Tess Wiley – guitars, vocals (1994–1996, 2008)
• James Arhelger – bass (1993–1994)
• Joel Bailey – bass (1994)
• J. J. Plasencio – bass (1995–1997)
• Sean Kelly – guitars (1997–2004)
• Jerry Dale McFadden – keyboards (2001–2004)
• Rob Mitchell – drums (2001–2004, 2012–2017)
• Jason Lehning – keyboards (2012–2013)

Timeline

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Discography

Main article: Sixpence None the Richer discography

• The Fatherless and the Widow (1994)
• This Beautiful Mess (1995)
• Sixpence None the Richer (1997)
• Divine Discontent (2002)
• The Dawn of Grace (2008)
• Lost in Transition (2012)

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (May 14, 2017). "Sixpence None The Richer". The Recording Academy.
2. steelygray. (2019-07-14). "Sixpence None the Richer's Leigh Nash - interview - 1999-06-07".
3. "Sixpence None the Richer Biography, Songs, & Albums".
4. "The Gospel According to Sixpence None the Richer". Texas Monthly.
5. "Leigh Nash's Facebook Page". Facebook.
6. (September 30, 2023). "Leigh Nash + Sixpence None The Richer Drop New Single "The Tide"".
7. "10,000 Maniacs".
8. Argyrakis, Andy. (2024-02-16). "10,000 Maniacs' "Revival" gives City Winery what "Everybody Wants" in start of triple sell out".
9. (January 16, 2024). "Sixpence None The Richer To Re-Release Album On Curb Records, Signs Management Deal".
10. (2024-06-11). "Sixpence None the Richer Announce Tour with Original Members".
11. "Instagram".
12. "Instagram".
13. "Instagram".
14. "Instagram".
15. "BMI's Pop Awards 2001 Song List | Press".