Mike Viola

Last updated

Mike Viola
Mike Viola.jpg
Viola at a thrift store
Background information
Birth nameMichael Anthony Viola
Born (1966-09-26) September 26, 1966 (age 58)
Stoughton, Massachusetts, U.S. [1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Songwriter
  • producer
  • musician
  • singer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • bass
Years active1985–present
Member ofCandy Butchers
Formerly of The Shining
Website mikeviola.com

Michael Anthony Viola (born September 26, 1966) is an American producer, musician, songwriter, and singer, best known for his work with Panic! at the Disco, Andrew Bird, Ryan Adams, J.S. Ondara, Mandy Moore, and Jenny Lewis. [2] [3] [4] His original music has been featured on soundtracks for movies such as That Thing You Do! , Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story , and Get Him to the Greek .

Contents

As a teenager in the early 1980s, Viola played Boston-area clubs with his band, the Bottom Line, and was billed as "Boston's youngest musical talent." His parents, Charlene and Larry Viola, bought his equipment and allowed their basement to be turned into a rehearsal room. [5]

Viola got his major professional start in the mid-1990s as the musical architect for New York–based band Candy Butchers, releasing three critically acclaimed albums with RPM/Sony Records before focusing on music production. [6]

Soundtrack work

Viola, along with friend Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, co-produced the title track for Tom Hanks's 1996 movie That Thing You Do! The selection received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Viola sang lead on the track, and as the accepted singing voice of Johnathon Schaech's character, Jimmy, also sang on other tracks in the film, such as "Little Wild One" and "All My Only Dreams."

For the 2007 Jake Kasdan/Judd Apatow film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Viola wrote or co-wrote "A Life Without You (Is No Life at All)", "Darling", "(I Hate You) Big Daddy", "Dear Mr. President", "Beautiful Ride", "Sir Ringe The Marshmallow Elephant", and "Let Me Hold You Little Man". Viola served as musical director on a promotional tour for the film in December 2007, with John C. Reilly acting out his fictional character of Dewey Cox.

Viola also contributed songwriting for Russell Brand's character Aldous Snow in the 2010 film Get Him to the Greek , including "African Child", "The Clap", "I Am Jesus", "Searching For a Father in America", "Little Bird", "Furry Walls". In 2012, he played the character of Franky in two promotional songs for the video game Club Penguin , "Anchors Aweigh" and "Ghosts Just Wanna Dance". [7]

As songwriter, musician or producer

YearArtistLabelSongAlbumRole
2022 Panic! at the Disco Fueled by RamenAll songs Viva Las Vengeance Producer, musician, singer, writer [8]
Vulfmon Vulf RecordsLet's Go! Let's Go!Here We Go JackSinger, writer [9]
J.S. Ondara Verve ForecastAll songsTax Code 1: Telepathy Of a MammothProducer [8]
Andrew Bird Loma VistaAll songsInside ProblemsProducer, musician, singer [8]
Mandy Moore Verve ForecastAll songsIn Real LifeProducer, musician, singer, writer [8]
Noam Weinstein All songsUndivorceableProducer, musician, singer [10]
2021 Andrew Bird, Jimbo Mathus All songs These 13 Producer, musician, singer [8]
Andrew Bird "Greenwine" Hark! Producer [8]
Semisonic "Basement Tapes" You're Not Alone Songwriter [8]
Allie Crow Buckley All songsMoonlit and DeviousSongwriter, musician, producer [8]
2020 Mandy Moore "I'd Rather Lose", "Save A Little For Yourself", "Fifteen", "Tryin' My Best, Los Angeles", "Easy Target", "When I Wasn't Watching", "Forgiveness", "Stories Reminding Myself of Me", "If That's What It Takes", "Silver Landings" Silver Landings Songwriter, musician, producer [8]
Watkins Family Hour "The Cure", "Neighborhood Name", "Just Another Reason", "Snow Tunnel", "Lafayette", "Fake Badge, Real Gun", "Miles of Desert Sand", "Bella and Ivan", "Accidentally Like a Martyr", "Keep It Clean"Brother SisterSongwriter, musician, producer [8]
2019 Mandy Moore "When I Wasn't Watching"When I Wasn't Watching (single)Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer [8]
Andrew Bird "Archipelago" My Finest Work Yet Musician [8]
Jonathan Rice "The Long Game", "Silver Song", "Hollow Jubilee", "Meet the Mother", "Naked in the Lake", "Below the Deck", "Another Cold One", "Change", "Millions of Miles", "Friends"So Romantic (EP)Musician, producer [8]
Allie Crow Buckley All songsSo RomanticSongwriter, musician, producer [8]
Allie Crow Buckley "As I Walk Into the Sea", "Cusco", "Cherry Stems", "Captive", "Fool Around", "Changes"So Romantic (EP)Songwriter, musician, producer [8]
2018 J.S. Ondara "American Dream", "Torch Song", "Saying Goodbye", "Days of Insanity", "Television Girl", "Turkish Bandana", "Lebanon", "Good Question", "Master O'Connor", "Give Me A Moment", "God Bless America", "Saying Goodbye – Boulevard Demo", "Torch Song – Echo Park", "Milk and Honey", "Hearts Of Gold", "I'm Afraid Of Americans"Tales Of AmericaMusician, producer, engineer [8]
Van William "Before I Found You", "The Country", "You'll Be On My Mind"CountriesSongwriter [8]
Vulfpeck "For Survival"Hill ClimberMusician; Songwriter [11]
2017 Dan Wilson All songs Re-Covered Producer, musician, singer [8]
Shania Twain "Life's About To Get Good" Now (Deluxe)Musician [8]
Ryan Adams "Prisoner", "Do You Still Love Me" Prisoner Songwriter; musician [12]
WATERS "Molly is a Babe," "Something More," "Modern Dilemma"Something More!Songwriter, musician, producer
2016 Panic! at the Disco "Victorious" Death of a Bachelor Songwriter [8]
LOLO "No Time For Lonely"In Loving Memory of When I Gave a Shit"Songwriter [8]
MAX "Hell's Kitchen Angel," "Mug Shot" ft. Sirah Hell's Kitchen Angel Songwriter
The Monkees Good Times! Musician [8]
Teddy Thompson and Kelly JonesAll songs Little Windows Producer, musician [8]
2015 Matt Nathanson "Gold in the Summertime", "Show Me Your Fangs" Show Me Your Fangs Songwriter
Butch Walker All songs Afraid of Ghosts Musician [8]
New Politics "Pretend We're in a Movie" Vikings Songwriter [8]
Andrew McMahon "High Dive," "Black & White Movies," "Driving Through A Dream," "Halls" "Rainy Girl," "Maps for the Getaway," "Lottery Ticket," "Art School Girlfriend," "Cecilia and the Satellite" Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Songwriter, producer, engineer [13]
Ryan Adams "Magic Flag"Vampires 7"Songwriter, musician [13]
2014 Ryan Adams "Gimme Something Good", "Kim," "Trouble," "Am I Safe," "My Wrecking Ball," "Stay with Me," "Shadows," "Feels Like Fire," "I Just Might," "Tired of Giving Up," "Let Go" Ryan Adams Producer, musician [13]
Matt Nathanson "Earthquake Weather," "Mission Bells," "Kinks Shirt," "Sky High Honey," "Kill The Lights," "Heart Starts" The Last of the Great Pretenders Songwriter, producer, musician, engineer [8]
Jenny Lewis The Voyager Producer, musician [8]
Brett Dennen "Out of My Head" Smoke and Mirrors Songwriter [13]
Jill Sobule All songsDottie's CharmsSongwriter, producer, musician [8]
2013 New Politics "Harlem" A Bad Girl in Harlem Songwriter [8]
Fall Out Boy Pax Am Days Producer [13]
Lori McKenna "Love Can Put It Back Together"Songwriter [8]
2012 Karise Eden "You Won't Let Me" My Journey Songwriter[ citation needed ]
Rachael Yamagata "Heavyweight" Heavyweight (EP)Songwriter, musician [8]
Noam Weinstein ClockedProducer, musician [14]
2011 Will Dailey and the Rivals "Best Friend"Will Dailey and the RivalsSongwriter [8]
Rachael Yamagata "You Won't Let Me," "Dealbreaker," "I Don't Want to Be Your Mother" Chesapeake Songwriter, musician [8]
"I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" Muppets: The Green Album Producer, musician [13]
Gin Wigmore "Dirty Love" Gravel and Wine Songwriter [13]
2010 Jeremy Fisher "All We Want is Love" Flood Songwriter, musician, producer [8]
Infant Sorrow "Furry Walls", "The Clap", "I Am Jesus", "African Child (Trapped in Me)", "Little Bird", "Searching For a Father" Get Him to the Greek soundtrackSongwriter, musician [13]
2009 Mandy Moore "Merrimack River," "Fern Dell," "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week," "Pocket Philosopher," "Song About Home," "Love To Love Me Back," "Indian Summer," "Nothing Everything," "Bug" Amanda Leigh Songwriter, producer, musician [13]
John Wesley Harding "Love Or Nothing," "Sick Organism," "Congratulations (On Your Hallucinations)"Who Was Changed and Who Was DeadSongwriter, musician [13]
2008 Tim Christensen "Superior" Superior Songwriter [13]
2007 Dewey Cox "A Life Without You (Is No Life at All)", "Beautiful Ride", "Dear Mr. President", "Mulatto Song", "Let Me Hold You Little Man", "I Hate You (Big Daddy)", "Darling", "Hole in My Pants", "Who Wants To Party", "Weeping on the Inside" Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story soundtrackSongwriter [13]
2006 L.E.O. "Distracted", "Make Me"Alpacas OrglingSongwriter, musician [15]
2004 The Figgs PalaisMusician [8]
2003 Rasputina "Bad Moon Rising", "Wish You Were Here", "Tourniquette", "Fire and Ice", "This Little Piggy", "All Tomorrow's Parties", "Rock N Roll"The Lost and FoundMusician, producer [13]
2002 The Figgs Slow Charm Musician [8]
1998 Rasputina "The Olde HeadBoard" How We Quit The Forest Musician [8]
1996 Mono Puff UnsupervisedMusician [8]
The Wonders "That Thing You Do" That Thing You Do! soundtrackProducer, musician [8]

Discography

YearArtistAlbumRole
1996Candy ButchersLive at La Bonboniere (EP)Songwriter, producer, musician [13]
1999Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers Let's Get Serious (EP)Songwriter, musician, producer [13]
1999Mike Viola and the Candy Butchers Let's Get Christmas (EP)Songwriter, musician, producer [13]
1999Candy Butchers Falling into Place Songwriter, musician, producer [13]
2001Mike ViolaTemple of StaticSongwriter, musician, producer [13]
2002Candy Butchers Play with Your Head Songwriter, musician, producer [13]
2004Candy ButchersHang On MikeSongwriter, musician producer [13]
2005Mike Viola Just Before Dark Songwriter, musician, producer [8]
2006Candy ButchersMaking up time (Candy Butchers 1994 – 1996)Songwriter, musician, producer [8]
2007Mike ViolaLurchSongwriter, musician, producer [8]
2010Mike Viola & Kelly JonesMelonSongwriter, musician, producer [8]
2011Mike ViolaElectro De Perfecto"Songwriter, musician, producer [8]
2011Mike Viola2011 Primer (Collection)Songwriter, musician, producer [16]
2012Mike ViolaAcousto De PerfectoSongwriter, musician, producer [16]
2013Mike ViolaGhoulSongwriter, musician, producer [16]
2015Mike ViolaStairway to Paradise (EP)Songwriter, musician
2018Mike ViolaThe American EgyptSongwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2018Mike ViolaHere We Go, It's Christmas Time (EP)Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2018Mike ViolaBitten and Cursed (EP)Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2020Mike ViolaGodmuffinSongwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2023Mike ViolaPaul McCarthy [17] Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer
2024Mike ViolaRock Of Boston [18] Songwriter, musician, producer, engineer

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References

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  2. Armstrong, Chuck (May 4, 2015). "Mike Viola on Working With Ryan Adams: 'It's Paid Off for Both of Us in Artistic Ways'". Diffuser.fm. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  3. Gordon, Jeremy; Pelly, Jenn (May 19, 2014). "Jenny Lewis Works With Beck, Ryan Adams on New Album The Voyager, Reveals Release Details". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  4. Helman, Peter (April 27, 2015). "Mike Viola – "Stairway To Paradise" (Stereogum Premiere)". Stereogum. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  5. Millman, Joyce (August 3, 1982). "Teen dream". The Boston Phoenix. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  6. Bacino, Mark. "Songcraft: Mike Viola Talks Songwriting Triage, Movie Music and Arcade Backlines". GuitarWorld.com. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  7. Lewis, Michelle [@mlewey] (September 6, 2017). "I think my favorite one we've written is Anchors Aweigh. My friend Mike Viola's voice sounds amazing on it" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 "Mike Viola credits". AllMusic . Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  9. "Let's Go! Let's Go! - Vulfmon (feat. Mike Viola)" . Retrieved November 15, 2023 via YouTube.
  10. "Noam Weinstein Official Site". eNoam. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  11. "Hill Climber – Vulfpeck". Bandcamp.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  12. "Prisoner – Ryan Adams". AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Mike Viola discography". discogs. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  14. "Noam Weinstein Listing". The New Yorker. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  15. "L.E.O. (4) – Alpacas Orgling". Discogs. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 "Mike Viola - Acousto De Perfecto (Lojinx)". Lojinx.com. July 16, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  17. "Mike Viola - Paul McCarthy (Lojinx)". April 14, 2023.
  18. "Mike Viola - Rock Of Boston (Lojinx)". September 20, 2024.