Artist Description
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.
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quite interesting! More Post Your Own! |
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Comments on This Artist
quite interesting!
Mike Viola = Amazing Music
If you're impressed by catchy, well-written pop songs (think the Beatles, Marshall Crenshaw, Fountains of Wayne, etc.), then you should have no problem falling in love with the music of Mike Viola! As far as I'm concerned, he is easily the best singer/songwriter to emerge in the last 20 years. His live shows (especially in NYC) have the energy that unveils the true difference between a studio recording and a live performance. If you have the energy, Viola's later shows usually have an abundancy of impromptu cover songs and on-the-spot songwriting. He's brilliant. Also pick up all of his albums, both solo and w/ Candy Butchers. Amazing stuff!
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