Christian Rudder

Christian Rudder
Christian Rudder performing with Bishop Allen. Plush, Tucson, Arizona. 23 March 2009.
Background information
Genres	Indie Folk
Instruments	Vocals, Acoustic guitar, ukulele,
Years active	2003–present
Associated acts	Bishop Allen
Website	Official website

Christian Rudder is an American musician, humorist, and entrepreneur.

Rudder is primarily known as the creative voice of TheSpark.com,^[1] which was the viral content arm of SparkNotes during the site's early rise to popularity. Working with Chris Coyne, Rudder wrote humorous tests and articles and devised absurd pseudo-science projects to spread awareness of the Spark brand and drive young people to SparkNotes' study guides. During Rudder's tenure at TheSpark it was one of the most popular humor sites on the web.^{[2][3][unreliable source?]} Rudder joined TheSpark and SparkNotes in October 1999. He became TheSpark's Creative Director in March 2001.

Soon after the sites' sale to Barnes & Noble, Rudder and the SparkNotes founders - Chris Coyne, Sam Yagan, and Max Krohn - left and began work on OkCupid, a dating website that has its roots in the popular tests featured on TheSpark. OkCupid launched in February 2004.

Rudder also plays in indie band Bishop Allen. He and Justin Rice are the band's two permanent members, and they write the band's songs.^[4][5] On stage, Rudder plays guitar and ukelele; in the studio, on Bishop Allen's recordings, he plays most of the instruments save drums and piano.^[6] Rudder and Rice met while students at Harvard University.

Rudder appeared in Andrew Bujalski's 2002 film, Funny Ha Ha and with Bishop Allen appeared in Peter Sollett's film, Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist.

References

1. ^ 'Salon.com'
2. ^ Harvard Crimson
3. ^ collegeotr.com
4. ^ All Music Guide
5. ^ ASCAP database
6. ^ [All three album's liner notes]

External links

• OkCupid.com
• Bishop Allen

Persondata
Name	Rudder, Christian
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