Mike Viola
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mike Viola | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Stoughton, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genre(s) | Pop rock, powerpop, alternative rock, acoustic |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano, bass |
| Years active | 1980s-present |
| Label(s) | Blue Thumb/MCA (1996) Sony/RPM (1999-2004) Good Morning Monkey (2005-present) |
| Associated acts | Candy Butchers, L.E.O., The Major Labels, Mandy Moore, Torres, Fountains Of Wayne, Kelly Jones, The Figgs |
| Website | http://www.mikeviola.com/ |
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Mike Viola is best known as singer, songwriter and musical architect of the Candy Butchers, a highly regarded pop-rock band from New York that recorded three critically-acclaimed albums for Sony, including 2003’s fan-favorite Hang On Mike.
The success of the Candy Butchers led to multiple appearances on Late Night With Conan O’Brien and Last Call With Carson Daly. It also found the group touring alongside the likes of They Might Be Giants, Robyn Hitchcock, Semisonic, Sparklehorse, Barenaked Ladies, and Ivy.
Viola simultaneously began a career in film-work a decade ago as the co-producer and lead singer of the Oscar®-nominated title track from “That Thing You Do!”.
Walk Hard, the recent Jake Kasdan/Judd Apatow film starring John C. Reilly, featured nearly a dozen songs written by Viola. A spoof on the Hollywood music biopic, Walk Hard proved to be the perfect playground for Viola’s subversive, witty lyrics and catchy-pop expertise.
Viola joined the indie ranks in 2005 when he released an album of new songs on his own label, Good Morning Monkey Records. Recorded live at Largo in L.A., Just Before Dark showcases Mike's sharp abilities as a live performer. Once available on his website, mikeviola.com, the vinyl-only album sold out in three months.
His latest album, Lurch, is alive with the classic-pop euphoria and vivid storybook imagery that Viola’s fans have come to treasure. Lurch has captured audiences internationally, thanks to tracks like album-opener “Maybe, Maybe Not” and first single “So Much Better”, which charted in Denmark.
As signed worldwide to EMI Music Publishing, Viola remains a prolific songwriter and/or producer on a multitude of projects. His work can be heard on Amanda Leigh, the recent release by Mandy Moore -- for whom he is also Musical Director—in addition to collaborations with Inara George, Tim Christensen, Dan Bern, Steve McEwan, Kelly Jones, Ryan Adams, Drake Bell, Bleu, Adam Schlesinger, John C. Reilly, Mary Wood, Sam Bisbee, The Gentlemen, John Wesley Harding, and Ben Romans.
[edit] That Thing You Do!
Viola along with friend Adam Schlesinger (of Fountains of Wayne) co-produced the title track for Tom Hanks' 1996 hit movie That Thing You Do! - Oscar nominated for Best Original Song. Viola sang lead vocals on the track, and as the accepted singing voice of Johnathon Schaech's character, "Jimmy," also sang on the film's track "Little Wild One." A decade later, and much to the excitement of his well-informed fans, Viola will still occasionally perform "That Thing You Do!" at venues.
[edit] Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Not including the title track, Viola and musician Dan Bern were the main collaborating songwriters for the 2007 Jake Kasdan/Judd Apatow film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Viola toured with fictional character Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) as Musical Director on a promotional tour for the film in December 2007.
[edit] Solo & Band Discography
- Live at La BonBonniere, EP (1996)
- Candy Butchers / "The Blue Thumb Album" (1996)
- Let's Get Serious, EP (1999)
- Falling into Place (1999)
- Let's Get Christmas (1999)
- Temple of Static (2001)
- Play with Your Head (2002)
- Hang on Mike (2004)
- Just Before Dark (2005)
- Making Up Time (2006)
- Lurch (2007)
[edit] Projects
[edit] L.E.O.
Alongside Jellyfish's Andy Sturmer, Chicago's Jason Scheff and Hanson, Viola collaborated with Bleu - the ringleader the Electric Light Orchestra-tribute project, L.E.O. They released a single album, Alpacas Orgling, in 2006.
[edit] The Major Labels
Viola, Bleu and Ducky Carlisle joined forces to form the powerpop supergroup The Major Labels, self-releasing the album Aquavia in July 2008. A proper label release is in discussions for 2009, as inclusive of bonus material.
[edit] Guests on Stage
Mike Viola is known to host and guest in a large number of "Who's Who" of indie pop-rock musician friends. These include: Bleu, John Wesley Harding, Marshall Crenshaw, Jed Parrish, Jim Boggia, The Brilliant Mistakes, The Click Five, Mono Puff (They Might Be Giants's John Flansburgh side-project), Fountains of Wayne, the Finn Brothers, Tracy Bonham, and Mandy Moore.
