The Spill Canvas

Originally the musical nom de plume of the South Dakota based songwriter Nick Thomas, The Spill Canvas eventually became a full-fledged rock band following its inception in 2002. By 2004 they had signed with indie label 111 Records to release their debut album, Sunsets & Car Crashes. Within a year of touring, the band honed their sound and evolved into what Thomas had always envisioned with drummer Joe Beck, lead guitarist Dan Ludeman, and bassist Scott McGuire bringing it to life.

In 2005 came their second album, One Fell Swoop, selling over 60,000 copies and reaching number 29 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. Two years later the band parted ways with McGuire, calling on Landon Heil to play bass. 2007 saw the group hit the mainstream upon signing to major label Sire/Warner Music-reaching the number 2 spot on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart with their third album, No Really, I’m Fine. Produced by Neal Avron, the album included the top 40 charting single “All Over You”.

After two years of heavy touring, 2009 brought the release of the band’s fourth album, Formalities. By the next year, the group found themselves on an indefinite hiatus. But that didn’t last long, as they reunited in 2012 to independently release their fifth album, Gestalt. The following three years were filled with Thomas pursuing a solo career that resulted in 2014’s Shadowars. In 2015, Beck and Ludeman parted ways with the band, being replaced by drummer Bryce Job and lead guitarist Evan Pharmakis.

With the new lineup in tow, The Spill Canvas began touring extensively once again. Eventually landing on Purenoise Records to release their self-produced sixth album, Conduit in 2021. In April of 2024, the band independently released their newest single “Ruiner” in conjunction with their 20th anniversary tour.

Sonically, the group mines disparate influences, mixing a heaping helping of 1970s and '80s rock and power pop influences with a modern approach informed by the emo/ alternative scene. Sharing the stage on tour with a wide range of notable acts such as The Goo Goo Dolls, OneRepublic, Switchfoot, The Plain White T’s, OK Go, Augustana, Motion City Soundtrack, and many more.

Although no current members live in South Dakota anymore, The Spill Canvas remains Midwest at heart and their purpose has stayed the same as it always was–to write songs that move people and connect with them through the universal language of music.

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