Playback Field Recordings

MIKE VIOLA

We’ve put a modern spin on the early-20th Century practice of field recordings, pioneered by musicologist Alan Lomax and others who ventured out into America’s heartland to “capture” authentic music that had yet to be discovered. In the Lomax vein, Playback Editor in Chief Erik Philbrook sets out to capture modern music where it lives, breathes and is created. In this first installment, he ventured deep into New York City’s East Village for a sit-down with singer- songwriter Mike Viola.

Mike Viola, longtime frontman for the smart pop rock outfit, The Candy Butchers, is one of Manhattan’s musical treasures. As a child rock prodigy growing up in Stoughton, Massachussets, a suburb of Boston, Viola’s musical career got an early boost when he opened for the likes of Billy Idol, The Plasmatics and Quiet Riot while still in his teens. Then came a move to New York City, where his acoustic duo, The Candy Butchers (Mike on guitar; his boyhood friend, Todd Foulsham, on drums), built a rabid following and made a musical home at NYC’s Fez cabaret, where they performed Viola’s lively, dark and endlessly catchy pop songs while evoking the music of The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and other classic pop craftsmen. Success came knocking after Viola sang the title track to the Tom Hanks-directed film That Thing You Do. The Candy Butchers expanded to become a full rock band and Viola recorded three critically-acclaimed albums on a major label, RPM/Columbia, and toured the country, sharing stages with acts such as The Barenaked Ladies and They Might Be Giants.

Check out “Best of Friends,” Mike’s Guest DJ show on ASCAP Radio's Playback Channel, where he plays selections of some of his favorite music written and performed by his friends, including The Davenports, Jedediah Parish, Fountains of Wayne and many more. Listen Now!

Like many songwriters navigating the modern music industry these days, Mike recently decided to go independent, amicably parting ways with his manager and former label. His new freedom immediately allowed him to release two musical gifts to his fans: a raw and powerful live solo acoustic album, Just Before Dark, recorded at Largo in Los Angeles, that perfectly captures Viola’s bittersweet lyrics and his achingly beautiful melodies; and Making Up Time, a collection of early Candy Butchers tracks that capture the spirit of his popular duo. Mike is diversifying too: writing music for film and TV, producing and lending his formidable musical prowess to side projects such as L.E.O., a recording collective that miraculously recreates the production and vibe of Jeff Lynne’s E.L.O. albums of the late 70’s.

Philbrook caught up with Mike in the East Village’s Tompkins Square Park and at his apartment nearby, where Viola discussed his craft, his career and performed three songs exclusively for ASCAP.

Field Recording Video Clips

PERFORMANCE: “Sandi Bright” PERFORMANCE: “Sound of My Own Voice” PERFORMANCE: “Motel Mood” On going solo and releasing his live acoustic album, Just Before Dark. Playing with a band vs. performing solo On the glory of new technology On writing for TV and film On his evolving musical style On why he writes

For more on Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers, visit www.mikeviola.com