Their name says it all. JUST LIKE architects, they have an amazing knack for deconstruction, but instead of designing what you might expect (big, grandiose things like temples, office buildings, stadiums, etc.), they design small, grandiose things - musical dollhouses, in which miniature symphonies of Life's hopes and dreams, triumphs and regrets are played out!
These guys (there are three, sometimes four or five) are in a near-constant state of remodeling. They are unafraid to ask tough, elusive questions of the listener, such as "What do you know?" And they offer no easy answers, because they have none. In their experience, the search for life on other planets is a lot more fun than being enslaved by a hoard of gelatinous, man-eating aliens.
They are New York's dollhouse architects, and this is their story. Or, rather, this is their bio. And like most bios, it will try, and ultimately fail, to paint a concise and accurate picture of a band that is striving to distill a wide array of influences into something fresh, innovative and pleasing to the ear. In it,one might call their music a miraculous union of pop and art, a busy intersection of indie-rock, sophisticated American and Trans-Atlantic pop, movies, books, science, left wing politics and life experience. Someone else might add that they are the musical equivalent of a time machine, modern in their design yet backward-looking in their mission. Still another might say, "They rock!"
College friends Patrick Harmon (Singer/Guitarist) and Paul Frick (Drummer) have collaborated on various projects for years, but it wasn't until they joined forces with Matt Gundy (Bassist/Vocalist) that they found what they needed. That was in March of 2001, and since then they have played many well received shows for a growing grassroots following, recorded an impressive 4 song EP containing the should-be hit songs "One Day" and "Genius Envy", and even appeared in a soon to-be-televised spot in Armani Exchange's Emerging Artists series. They have written dozens of solid songs, and brazenly thrown many away to make room for newer, more inventive material. This philosophy of non-attachment has kept the band growing creatively, and helped them to build a strictly A-list repertoire for their live shows and recordings. They are currently working on a full length album of lush, indie-pop gems, which Harmon describes as "one of the bounciest, most elastic collections of sad songs ever assembled".
If you're looking for the something New, something True, something Wonderful, you're sure to come across the dollhouse architects, as they are looking for it, too. Together you will surely dance, develop wild conspiracy theories, drink red wine and pine for lost loves. And when it's over, you will never forget them, because many of their songs are damn near impossible to get out of your head.
Enjoy!
