Comebacks and Cantaloupes - The Spinto Band
After a successful debut, many bands spend the time between albums picking up addictions, model girlfriends and each others faults in the studio. The Spinto Band went back to their Delaware hometown and found employment on a market.
After a successful debut, many bands spend the time between albums picking up addictions, model girlfriends and each others faults in the studio. The Spinto Band went back to their Delaware hometown and found employment on a market.
"When I'm not in the band I work on a vegetable stand," says Joey, one of the band's guitarists. "It's (the band's other guitarist) Jon's girlfriend's uncle's. It's real nice, it's good to work outside. I know how to check a tomato and I pick a good cantaloupe." It's pretty clear that the trappings of rock and roll excess haven't exactly consumed the Spinto Band.
Over two years ago, the infectious youthfulness of Nice and Nicely Done announced them as the carefree surprise stars of the summer, attracting admirers with their loose mix of inverted lyrics and bouncy pop. However, label problems led to a lengthy delay before new album Moonwink was able to be released. Recorded a year ago, it is now finally coming out. While singer Nick struggles with his mobile phone's reception in the well-known coffee chain we find ourselves in, Joey and Thomas, the group's co-frontman/bassist, seem a little nervous about the reception the record might receive. "I was kind of worried, because lots of people told us we waited too long to release our second record," Thomas admits. "Which we did," interjects Joey. Thomas explains: "Music trends tend to be fickle, there's always a new hot sound. Bands get hyped up and knocked down; of course we're worried about that. I do feel a little uneasy about the reception to this album."
Nevertheless, their UK tour has been well-received. Joey puts a philosophical slant on their situation. "Some people, some critics are not going to like us now, but there's not much we can do about it. Without hype, people who might enjoy our music will never get to hear it, so we accept it's part of it." Still, venues have been filled with folk recalling the old numbers and appearing receptive to the new ones. Their colourful personalities and songs about tractors seem to have endeared them to the British. "People have been coming out and remembering who we are," nods Thomas. "English venues have that certain smell, kind of damp, which is nice. I feel less awkward playing to English audiences. We're in tune with the British landscape now. We keep seeing people we knew a few years ago, it's like 'hey, I forget you existed, but now that you're here, that's great'."
For the welcome back to be prolonged though, they need some dazzling new songs, of the calibre of old favourites Oh Mandy and Late. In lead single Summer Grof they have a ditzy whirlwind of a comeback track, a front to guide people into the new album. "The songs are much better now than when we recorded them," insists Joey. "We've become more aware that we're a six person band. On the first record there wasn't as much going on, arrangement-wise. Now there's always something that catches the ear. It wasn't a conscious decision, but we're glad it's happened that way." In the past, it has often seemed some of the band are redundant amongst the simple melodies they create, especially the three guitarists. But on the likes of Later On there is the sense of full involvement from all, without sacrificing the band's simplistic core in search of complexity. Fun is the band's main attraction for fans as well as their central inspiration for making music.
This was clear last time they plied the UK festival circuit, showering the crowd with Party Rings biscuits at Leeds Festival. "Party Rings? The little pink things?" Thomas questions. "Ah yes. They were gifts and as we were at a festival, I worried that people were hungry. Usually we have Hob Nobs – but if you throw them, they kinda hurt. Remember that." Advice on hurling biscuits noted, Gigwise decides to venture into the often-sour world of bands and record labels. Having been dropped, the Spinto Band are prime candidates to vent their anger about the world of corporate corruptness. According to Thomas, this is way off the mark. "Look, our label was in trouble financially. The music business is in a strange state right now, people are freaking out." Joey adds: "We don't take it personal. Our team was really great, we don't hate them. We're not bitter. Now Fierce Panda want to put out this record, so, hey, that's all fine with us."
The sheer friendliness of the band is the overwhelming impression they give, which comes across onstage too. It's easy to buy into the frivolous music they produce, from the kazoos that feature on Brown Boxes to the twisted humour the group shares. On illegal downloading, Thomas states he would "rather not piss people off, it can be a good thing". On other bands, Joey has nothing but praise. It is possible their new record could get swallowed by a crowded market, especially with its sunshine sound coming in winter, or it may become another creeper hit. Regardless, the group won't be overawed either way. After all, there are tomatoes to be checked, and cantaloupes don't pick themselves.
Over two years ago, the infectious youthfulness of Nice and Nicely Done announced them as the carefree surprise stars of the summer, attracting admirers with their loose mix of inverted lyrics and bouncy pop. However, label problems led to a lengthy delay before new album Moonwink was able to be released. Recorded a year ago, it is now finally coming out. While singer Nick struggles with his mobile phone's reception in the well-known coffee chain we find ourselves in, Joey and Thomas, the group's co-frontman/bassist, seem a little nervous about the reception the record might receive. "I was kind of worried, because lots of people told us we waited too long to release our second record," Thomas admits. "Which we did," interjects Joey. Thomas explains: "Music trends tend to be fickle, there's always a new hot sound. Bands get hyped up and knocked down; of course we're worried about that. I do feel a little uneasy about the reception to this album."
Nevertheless, their UK tour has been well-received. Joey puts a philosophical slant on their situation. "Some people, some critics are not going to like us now, but there's not much we can do about it. Without hype, people who might enjoy our music will never get to hear it, so we accept it's part of it." Still, venues have been filled with folk recalling the old numbers and appearing receptive to the new ones. Their colourful personalities and songs about tractors seem to have endeared them to the British. "People have been coming out and remembering who we are," nods Thomas. "English venues have that certain smell, kind of damp, which is nice. I feel less awkward playing to English audiences. We're in tune with the British landscape now. We keep seeing people we knew a few years ago, it's like 'hey, I forget you existed, but now that you're here, that's great'."
For the welcome back to be prolonged though, they need some dazzling new songs, of the calibre of old favourites Oh Mandy and Late. In lead single Summer Grof they have a ditzy whirlwind of a comeback track, a front to guide people into the new album. "The songs are much better now than when we recorded them," insists Joey. "We've become more aware that we're a six person band. On the first record there wasn't as much going on, arrangement-wise. Now there's always something that catches the ear. It wasn't a conscious decision, but we're glad it's happened that way." In the past, it has often seemed some of the band are redundant amongst the simple melodies they create, especially the three guitarists. But on the likes of Later On there is the sense of full involvement from all, without sacrificing the band's simplistic core in search of complexity. Fun is the band's main attraction for fans as well as their central inspiration for making music.
This was clear last time they plied the UK festival circuit, showering the crowd with Party Rings biscuits at Leeds Festival. "Party Rings? The little pink things?" Thomas questions. "Ah yes. They were gifts and as we were at a festival, I worried that people were hungry. Usually we have Hob Nobs – but if you throw them, they kinda hurt. Remember that." Advice on hurling biscuits noted, Gigwise decides to venture into the often-sour world of bands and record labels. Having been dropped, the Spinto Band are prime candidates to vent their anger about the world of corporate corruptness. According to Thomas, this is way off the mark. "Look, our label was in trouble financially. The music business is in a strange state right now, people are freaking out." Joey adds: "We don't take it personal. Our team was really great, we don't hate them. We're not bitter. Now Fierce Panda want to put out this record, so, hey, that's all fine with us."
The sheer friendliness of the band is the overwhelming impression they give, which comes across onstage too. It's easy to buy into the frivolous music they produce, from the kazoos that feature on Brown Boxes to the twisted humour the group shares. On illegal downloading, Thomas states he would "rather not piss people off, it can be a good thing". On other bands, Joey has nothing but praise. It is possible their new record could get swallowed by a crowded market, especially with its sunshine sound coming in winter, or it may become another creeper hit. Regardless, the group won't be overawed either way. After all, there are tomatoes to be checked, and cantaloupes don't pick themselves.
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