I took a copy of AM New York today after seeing over someone's shoulder that there was a story about Nada Surf. Turns out Fountains of Wayne was pictured on the same page, and Mike Viola of the Candy Butchers is also featured on the next page--they're all playing shows in New York, separately, tomorrow. Clearly someone or something has invaded the nether regions of my memory and is using it, along with some terrible power, to control the New York concert scene. I came to appreciate all these bands in high school. With Nada Surf, I admit, I was initially drawn in by "Popular," but I stuck with them for several years. I first saw Nada Surf at the Knitting Factory in 1997 or so, and in the same show were the Candy Butchers and the Wrens, neither of whom my friends and I had ever heard of. We thought the Wrens were terrible at the time, but the Candy Butchers were fantastic; I can still remember fragments of the songs they played that night, despite not having heard them since (I tried to seek out their albums, but they were pretty elusive). The same group of friends introduced me to Fountains of Wayne. AM New York mentions that Mike Viola sang the title song in "That Thing You Do," and of course it was written by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne.
I don't know if I'll actually go to any of the shows...it's been such a long time. Anyone else up for it?
Comments (3)
You know who else was there? Josh Shipper. He liked the Wrens. Anyway, sometime in 1997-98, I was able to track down The Candy Butchers' Live at La Bonbonniere EP, which a quick Amazon search shows is no longer available. I also have a bunch of Viola's later stuff, but I didn't like it as much as that EP. Coincidentally, the first time I walked by La Bonbonniere, I was looking for Corner Bistro, about a week after I had seen Catch Me if You Can, which took place in the 60s, and had Tom Hanks in it... You can borrow my recordings, if you'd like.
But I'm actually commenting here today to ask whether you've thought of making youtube videos of your music. I was looking for something else altogether when I stumbled upon one of this person's videos and then proceeded to watch the majority of them. And I really, really liked this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr09fYxQXMU .
I don't think you'll make money or get a record deal, but random people on the internet will hear your music.
February 11, 2008 3:43 PM
Hm, I have no memory of this Josh Shipper. Was he there with us, or did he just happen to be there and you found out later?
I think I remember you showing me a CD by the Candy Butchers in high school one day. I also think I may have some mp3's of theirs lingering on my computer. Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it.
On Youtube videos, that is a really good idea. I don't have a video camera yet, but the more I think about it, I should get one and do this. Right now I'm getting a lot more attention for my photographs than my music, just because of the random internet people that see the photographs on Flickr. And what's more fun than making videos? If you or anyone else has any ideas for video concepts, or directing aspirations, let me know!
February 11, 2008 6:17 PM
remember when we saw nada surf at brownies with rilo kiley and ozma? (definitely not in the 90's at all)...
February 17, 2008 10:18 PM