To listen to the Subjects is to be reminded that you can love what you do. Their music offsets sweet harmonic backdrops with elements of chaos and dissonance that are perfectly placed and seemingly inevitable.
For the past few years the Subjects have been quietly developing a unique and interesting sound that is a refreshing throwback to a time when complex music didn't depend on computer wizardry. The result is songs that pit boyish innocence against the weighty reality of our world and l...
To listen to the Subjects is to be reminded that you can love what you do. Their music offsets sweet harmonic backdrops with elements of chaos and dissonance that are perfectly placed and seemingly inevitable.
For the past few years the Subjects have been quietly developing a unique and interesting sound that is a refreshing throwback to a time when complex music didn't depend on computer wizardry. The result is songs that pit boyish innocence against the weighty reality of our world and live performances that throw crowds right in the middle.
What began in 2004 as a union of teachers and students to perform a few songs at a school carnival quickly developed into writing and developing songs and scheduling shows and tours. Some of the songs recorded in the school's music room before graduation had snuck into the Heavy Rotation Column of Spin Magazine and the band wondered if there might be an audience for their music beyond their friends and family.
After graduation, drummer Matty "Pickles" Iwanusa booked the rehearsal space where his mother's funk band used to practice, and the Subjects were born.
The Subjects began to develop a style of writing that reflected their ambition to create music that transported the listener, telling a story with the urgency and integrity of the poets and musicians of old. They recorded and released an eponymous EP, which received enough college radio airplay to be charted on the CMJ Top 200. Then, with a bit of musical experience behind them, they began work on what would become their debut album.
Constantly performing new songs in every beer-soaked, bad-sounding bar in Manhattan for two years prepared the Subjects for a tour in 2006. The shows, and the band, received some attention from various press outlets, notably recording a session at Daytrotter and an in-studio at WOXY.
In early 2007, "with the ease grace precision and cleverness of human beings" was released on Pretty Activity Records. Recorded by the band in their own makeshift studio in Maryland, it exhibits a combination of mature songwriting and reckless exuberance, blending blazing guitar riffs with delicate instrumental arrangements. Spontaneous and insightful, the album blends elements of youthful optimism and the experience of age.
Following this release, the Subjects embarked on a number of tours around the states, building their reputation as having an wildly staged but musically coherent live show. Building their stylistic singularity as well as befriending some more-established bands along the way led to invitations to perform with bands such as the Walkmen, White Rabbits and the French Kicks.
The Subjects plan to release the new single "Goldenshire Boogie" on a split 7" through Pretty Activity. This will be the first release of new material since the debut album and marks their movement toward recording a follow-up in summer 2008. The dynamics and nuanced songwriting that were apparent on their first CD are more developed in their new work.
This year marks many exciting things to come from the Subjects. They perform often throughout the east coast and will be booking west coast appearances as well. What has been developing over the past few years has established the band with a wide ranging fan base… And the Subjects are only getting started.
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