# Will Cullen Hart

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American musician (1971–2024)

Will Cullen Hart Hart in 2005 Born (1971-06-14)June 14, 1971 Ruston, Louisiana, U.S. Died November 29, 2024(2024-11-29) (aged 53) Athens, Georgia, U.S. Education Ruston High School Occupations Musician singer songwriter Years active 1987–2024 Musical career Genres Experimental neo-psychedelia psychedelic pop indie rock musique concrète Formerly of The Olivia Tremor Control Circulatory System Synthetic Flying Machine The Always Red Society Cranberry Lifecycle Black Swan Network Musical artist

**William Cullen Hart** (June 14, 1971 – November 29, 2024) was an American musician, singer, songwriter and visual artist.[1] He was a co-founder of [the Elephant 6 Recording Company](/source/The_Elephant_6_Recording_Company), as well as the rock band [the Olivia Tremor Control](/source/The_Olivia_Tremor_Control). Following that band's breakup, Hart and several other former members regrouped to create [Circulatory System](/source/Circulatory_System_(band)). Hart's music was characterized by its blend of [indie rock](/source/Indie_rock), [Beatlesque](/source/Beatlesque) [psychedelic pop](/source/Psychedelic_pop) and [musique concrète](/source/Musique_concr%C3%A8te).

## Recording career

### Early years

Will Cullen Hart was born on June 14, 1971 in [Ruston, Louisiana](/source/Ruston%2C_Louisiana).[2] His parents, both interior designers, divorced and moved around the country, leading Hart to spend parts of his childhood in [Alabama](/source/Dauphin_Island%2C_Alabama), [Colorado](/source/Aspen%2C_Colorado), and [Texas](/source/Dallas) before returning to Ruston in ninth grade.[3] Among his friends there were future Elephant 6 collaborators [Bill Doss](/source/Bill_Doss), [Jeff Mangum](/source/Jeff_Mangum) and [Robert Schneider](/source/Robert_Schneider). The teenagers shared a passion and interest in home recording, influenced by [John Cage](/source/John_Cage), [punk rock](/source/Punk_rock), [krautrock](/source/Krautrock), and 1960s [psychedelic](/source/Psychedelic_music) bands like [The Beatles](/source/The_Beatles), [The Beach Boys](/source/The_Beach_Boys) and [The Zombies](/source/The_Zombies).[4] Some of his earliest musical projects were his solo recording moniker The Always Red Society, which released its sole tape *Giant Chocolate Think Tank Blues* in 1993 and reissued 2014, and Cranberry Lifecycle with [Mangum](/source/Jeff_Mangum), a "little [4-track](/source/4-track_(multitrack)) pop thing," which were spoken of very highly by [Schneider](/source/Robert_Schneider) and remained highly sought after by fans until finally leaked in 2023.[5] [Mangum](/source/Jeff_Mangum), [Doss](/source/Bill_Doss), and Hart then formed the group Synthetic Flying Machine, which evolved to become [The Olivia Tremor Control](/source/The_Olivia_Tremor_Control).

### The Olivia Tremor Control

The Olivia Tremor Control's first release was the [extended play](/source/Extended_play) (EP) *[California Demise](/source/California_Demise)* in 1994, which presented many of the band's signature elements, like, for example, complex vocal harmonization. After the EP, the band briefly disbanded, with Hart moving to [Denver, Colorado](/source/Denver), before returning to Athens to reunite with Doss and record the band's debut album, *[Music from the Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist Castle](/source/Music_from_the_Unrealized_Film_Script%3A_Dusk_at_Cubist_Castle)* at Pet Sounds studio, with [Robert Schneider](/source/Robert_Schneider) as producer. His artistic difference to Doss became evident during recording for the album, with Doss leaning towards pop music and Hart writing more experimental material. In line with his experimental leanings, Hart was influenced by the 1969 [White Noise](/source/White_Noise_(band)) album *[An Electric Storm](/source/An_Electric_Storm)* which led to the splicing of his bandmates' songs with experimental electronic pieces in 1999's *[Black Foliage: Animation Music Volume One](/source/Black_Foliage%3A_Animation_Music_Volume_One)*.[6] The album was as ambitious of an undertaking as *Dusk*, and was met to positive reviews, with [Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))'s Paul Thompson describing it as "among the most satisfying psychedelic albums of any decade", going on to compare it to the Buddhist concept of [Bardo](/source/Bardo).[7]

### Circulatory System, Olivia Tremor Control reunion and death

After the release of *Black Foliage*, tensions grew between Doss and Hart. According to Doss, Hart wanted to take a hiatus from music, and was suffering from early symptoms of then-undiagnosed [multiple sclerosis](/source/Multiple_sclerosis). The two had a falling out, and the Olivia Tremor Control broke up in 2000, releasing both an early singles compilation, [Singles and Beyond](/source/Singles_and_Beyond), and a [John Peel](/source/John_Peel) session before moving off to other projects. [Doss](/source/Bill_Doss) would reactivate his solo recording project [The Sunshine Fix](/source/The_Sunshine_Fix), and Hart formed his next project: [Circulatory System](/source/Circulatory_System_(band)) with some [ex](/source/Jeff_Mangum)[-](/source/John_Fernandes_(musician))[members](/source/Pipes_You_See%2C_Pipes_You_Don't) of the Olivia Tremor Control, which released their [self-titled](/source/Circulatory_System_(album)) debut album in 2001 on [Cloud Recordings](/source/Cloud_Recordings). A companion album of ambient noise and sound coloages known as *[Inside Views](/source/Inside_Views)* was released as well, in a similar vein to *Cubist Castle* companion album *[Explanation II](/source/Explanation_II%3A_Instrumental_Themes_and_Dream_Sequences)* years prior. Hart also released two musique concrète albums under his own name that year, *Circuits* and *Silver*.

The Olivia Tremor Control's gradual reunification process began when they were invited to play the UK music festival All Tomorrow's Parties in April 2005. This edition of the festival was curated by the actor Vincent Gallo[8] The band started working on a new album, the as-of-2025 unreleased *The Same Place*, and released two new singles, although the recording process was slowed after Doss' death due to an aneurysm at the age of 43 in 2012. Hart, and the remaining members, decided to continue working on the album in his memory, with Hart saying in 2019 it would be the band's final album: "We have three sides worth of songs done, though they're not sequenced properly yet to run three sides."[6]

In 2009, [Circulatory System](/source/Circulatory_System_(band)) released the album *[Signal Morning](/source/Signal_Morning)* on [Cloud Recordings](/source/Cloud_Recordings).[9] 2009 also saw the release of *[Side 3](/source/Side_3_(Circulatory_System_album))*, an album of alternative mixes and b-sides from *Signal Morning*, sequenced by *Olivia* and Circulatory System drummer [Derek Almstead](/source/Derek_Almstead).

In 2014, [Circulatory System](/source/Circulatory_System_(band)) released their third album, double LP *[Mosaics Within Mosaics](/source/Mosaics_Within_Mosaics)*, also on [Cloud](/source/Cloud_Recordings).

On November 29, 2024, the Olivia Tremor Control released the singles "Garden of Light" and "The Same Place", the band's first new music in 13 years, as part of the soundtrack for the documentary *The Elephant 6 Recording Co.* (2022). Hours later, E6 co-founder [Robert Schneider](/source/Robert_Schneider) announced Hart had died that morning.[10] The status of the as-of-yet unreleased 3rd Olivia Tremor Control album *The Same Place* is unclear.

## Personal life and death

Will Cullen Hart was also a visual artist. He created most, if not all, of the artwork for the Olivia Tremor Control and Circulatory System (among other Elephant 6 bands), as well as individual pieces.[11] In a 2008 online interview, [John Fernandes](/source/John_Fernandes_(musician)) stated that Hart had been diagnosed with [multiple sclerosis](/source/Multiple_sclerosis).[12] Hart was married to his wife, Kelly Hart, since 2012.[10]

Hart died from a heart attack on November 29, 2024, at the age of 53.[10][13]

## Discography

**The Olivia Tremor Control**

- *[Music from the Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist Castle](/source/Music_from_the_Unrealized_Film_Script%3A_Dusk_at_Cubist_Castle)* (1996)

- *[Explanation II: Instrumental Themes and Dream Sequences](/source/Explanation_II%3A_Instrumental_Themes_and_Dream_Sequences)* (1998)

- *[Black Foliage: Animation Music Volume One](/source/Black_Foliage%3A_Animation_Music_Volume_One)* (1999)

- *[Singles and Beyond](/source/Singles_and_Beyond)* (2000)

- *John Peel Session* (2000)

- *The Game You Play Is In Your Head, Pts. 1,2,& 3* (2011)

- *Garden of Light / The Same Place* (2024)

**Circulatory System**

- *[Circulatory System](/source/Circulatory_System_(album))* (2001)

- *[Inside Views](/source/Inside_Views)* (2001)

- *[Signal Morning](/source/Signal_Morning)* (2009)

- *[Side 3](/source/Side_3_(2010_album))* (2010)

- *[Mosaics Within Mosaics](/source/Mosaics_Within_Mosaics)* (2014)

**Solo**

- *Giant Chocolate Think Tank Blues* (as The Always Red Society) (1993, reissued 2014)

- *Circuits* (2001)

- *Silver* (2001)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Will Cullen Hart: The art of Will Cullen Hart"](https://www.lunakafe.com/moon80/usga80.php). *Luna Kafé e-zine*. April 16, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** The Apples in stereo [@applesinstereo] (June 14, 2013). ["Happy Birthday to our pal Will Cullen Hart! May your day have "Warm Milk Chocolate"!"](https://twitter.com/applesinstereo/status/345523326900371456) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))) – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Clair, Adam (January 18, 2022). [*Endless Endless: A Lo-Fi History of the Elephant 6 Mystery*](https://books.google.com/books?id=w3wsEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Will+Cullen+Hart%22+%22ruston%22&pg=PT27). Hachette Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-306-92396-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-306-92396-8). Retrieved December 1, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Kot, Greg (January 30, 2014). ["Jeff Mangum: Myth, mystery and enduring songs"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/01/30/jeff-mangum-myth-mystery-and-enduring-songs/). *Chicago Tribune*. Retrieved November 30, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Cranberry Mixdown"](https://archive.org/details/cranberry-mixdown). 1991.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Quietus_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Quietus_6-1) Quietus, The (March 26, 2019). ["The Olivia Tremor Control's Black Foliage Revisited"](https://thequietus.com/opinion-and-essays/anniversary/the-olivia-tremor-control-black-foliage/). *The Quietus*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Thompson, Paul. ["The Olivia Tremor Control: Music From the Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist Castle / Black Foliage: Animation Music Vol. 1"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16047-otc/). *Pitchfork*. Retrieved December 3, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["More ATP news! Gallo weekend takes shape... │ Drowned in Sound"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210619221902/https://drownedinsound.com/news/11150-more-atp-news-gallo-weekend-takes-shape). *More ATP news! Gallo weekend takes shape... │ Drowned in Sound*. January 25, 2005. Archived from [the original](https://drownedinsound.com/news/11150-more-atp-news-gallo-weekend-takes-shape) on June 19, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Hilton, Robin (August 25, 2009). ["Exclusive First Listen: Circulatory System"](https://www.npr.org/2009/08/25/112060124/exclusive-first-listen-circulatory-system). *NPR*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_10-2) Jones, Abby (November 29, 2024). ["Elephant 6 & Olivia Tremor Control co-founder Will Cullen Hart dead at 53"](https://www.stereogum.com/2289129/elephant-6-olivia-tremor-control-co-founder-will-cullen-hart-dead-at-53/news/). *Stereogum*. Retrieved November 29, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["W. Cullen Hart Collected Works"](https://www.elephant6.com/product/w-cullen-hart-collected-works-book). *www.elephant6.com*. Retrieved September 18, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Synthesis : Music : The Olivia Tremor Control : Circulatory System : John Fernandes : From the Olivia Tremor Control to Circulatory System and Back"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080907051500/http://www.synthesis.net/music/interview/item-7097/2008-07-08-john_fernandes). *www.synthesis.net*. Archived from [the original](http://www.synthesis.net/music/interview/item-7097/2008-07-08-john_fernandes) on September 7, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Will Cullen Hart, Elephant 6 Co-Founder, Dies at 53"](https://pitchfork.com/news/will-cullen-hart-elephant-6-co-founder-dies-at-53/). *Pitchfork*. November 30, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.

## External links

- [Cloud Recordings, the label founded by John Fernandes](http://www.cloudrecordings.com)

- [Review of Will's art book](https://www.lunakafe.com/moon80/usga80.php)

- [Will Cullen Hart](https://www.discogs.com/artist/Will+Cullen+Hart) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Will Cullen Hart](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11971369/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e The Olivia Tremor Control Will Cullen Hart Eric Harris John Fernandes Peter Erchick Bill Doss Jeff Mangum Studio albums Music from the Unrealized Film Script: Dusk at Cubist Castle Black Foliage: Animation Music Volume One EPs California Demise Other albums Explanation II: Instrumental Themes and Dream Sequences Singles and Beyond Splits The Olivia Tremor Control/The Apples in Stereo The Olivia Tremor Control/Black Swan Network Related articles Black Swan Network Circulatory System Elephant 6 Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't The Sunshine Fix

v t e Elephant 6 Individuals Robert Schneider Bill Doss Jeff Mangum Will Cullen Hart Hilarie Sidney Scott Spillane Derek Almstead Jeremy Barnes Kevin Barnes Martyn Leaper Rebecca Cole Andrew Rieger Laura Carter Bryan Poole John Ferguson John Fernandes John Hill Tammy Ealom Robbee Cucchiaro Julian Koster Jim McIntyre Chris Parfitt John d'Azzo Eric Harris (musician) Peter Erchick AJ Griffin Will Westbrook Andy Gonzales Dottie Alexander Jamey Huggins Jill Carnes Bands/Solo projects Air-Sea Dolphin the Apples in Stereo thee American Revolution Bablicon Beulah Black Swan Network Calvin, Don't Jump! Casper & the Cookies Cellar Lantern Hymns Clay Bears Chocolate USA Circulatory System the Diminisher Dressy Bessy Elf Power the Essex Green Fablefactory the Gerbils Great Lakes a Hawk and a Hacksaw the High Water Marks Icy Demons the Instruments James Husband the Ladybug Transistor Major Organ and the Adding Machine Marbles Marshmallow Coast Midget and Hairs the Minders the Music Tapes Neutral Milk Hotel of Montreal The Olivia Tremor Control Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't Secret Square Spaceflyte The Sunshine Fix Supercluster Ulysses Vince Mole and His Calcium Orchestra Von Hemmling Related articles Cloud Recordings Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records Joyful Noise Recordings Orange Twin Records Pet Sounds Studio

Authority control databases: Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Will Cullen Hart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Cullen_Hart) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Cullen_Hart?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.