The Lemon Twigs

Last updated
The Lemon Twigs
The Lemon Twigs, 2023.png
The Lemon Twigs in 2023
Background information
Origin Hicksville, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active2014–present
Labels Captured Tracks, 4AD, Winspear
Members
  • Brian D'Addario
  • Michael D'Addario
Website thelemontwigs.com

The Lemon Twigs are an American rock band from the Hicksville neighborhood of Long Island, New York. The duo consists of brothers Brian and Michael D'Addario. [1] Both brothers are vocalists, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists.

Contents

History

Early childhood

Brian and Michael were born two years apart from each other, both in March. Ronnie D'Addario, their father, is a musician and songwriter from Manhattan who played with Irish folk singer Tommy Makem. [2] Susan Hall, their mother, is a neuropsychologist [3] from Ohio who pursued acting and entertainment in her younger years.[ citation needed ] The first few years of the D'Addario brothers' lives were spent in an apartment in Flushing, Queens. The family moved to a house in the suburbs of Long Island soon after the children were born. The brothers were raised in a musical household and learned to play and sing at a very early age, developing an obsession with the Beatles which was passed down from their parents. [4]

Formation and first years

Brian and Michael D'Addario had extensive stage experience as children. Brian played Gavroche in Les Miserables and Flounder in The Little Mermaid on Broadway. Michael appeared in The Coast of Utopia , The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and the 2008 production of All My Sons . Michael also appeared in a variety of television shows and films, such as John Adams on HBO, Are We There Yet? on TBS, and the 2012 films People Like Us and Sinister . [5] The Lemon Twigs were founded by the brothers while they were both students at Hicksville High School on Long Island, New York. The siblings both perform lead vocals, lead guitar, drums and other instruments. [4]

Their first release was the cassette What We Know, issued in a limited edition of 100 copies (with digital download) in 2015 by Winspear. [6]

2016–2018: Do Hollywood

On their first generally released album, Do Hollywood , each brother took the lead on vocals and guitar on the songs he composed; during live performances, this setup was preserved, with the remaining D'Addario playing the drums, and fellow schoolmates Megan Zeankowski and Danny Ayala (who have played with the D'Addarios on and off since their youth) playing bass and keyboards, respectively. Ayala also sang backing vocals. The album, produced by Jonathan Rado of Foxygen, was recorded in the spring of 2015, with the members being only 15 and 17 at the time of its creation.

The Lemon Twigs served as opening act for fellow New York City/Long Island-based alt-rockers Sunflower Bean on their East Coast tour in late 2016 and performed on television programs like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , CBS This Morning "Saturday Sessions" and Conan along the way. In early 2017 it was announced that the band would play on day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California on April 14, 2017. This performance saw the Twigs joined by one of the band's "favorite musicians ever, in the whole world", Todd Rundgren, to play "Couldn't I Just Tell You" from Rundgren's classic 1972 double album, Something/Anything? . The Lemon Twigs released the Do Hollywood tracks "These Words" and "As Long As We're Together" as a double-A-side single, and made videos for both songs. The third single was the album opener, "I Wanna Prove to You", with a video directed by Nick Roney.

The band played at several major festivals in the summer of 2017, such as Glastonbury, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, Austin City, and the Montreux, [7] in addition to opening for Phoenix across the United States. These 2017 shows saw the band covering songs such as "Fish and Whistle" by John Prine, "I Walked with a Zombie" by Roky Erickson, "You Can't Talk to the Dude" by Jonathan Richman, "I've Begun to Fall in Love" by R. Stevie Moore, "Love Stepped Out" by their father, Ronnie D'Addario, and "I Can Feel the Fire" by Ronnie Wood; they notably performed the latter song with Thomas Hedlund of Phoenix on drums while supporting Phoenix at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Mac DeMarco. In September 2017 the band released an EP, Brothers of Destruction, containing songs recorded during the Do Hollywood sessions.

2018–2019: Go to School

The band's second album, Go To School , a musical about a chimpanzee raised as a human boy, was released on August 24, 2018. [8] Singles included: "If You Give Enough," "Small Victories," and "The Fire." The album debuted at number 93 on the UK Albums Chart on September 6, 2018. [9] The band were also announced as one of the support acts for Arctic Monkeys' 2018 tour in support of their album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino . [10]

Prior to beginning their run of shows promoting Go to School, the group underwent a number of personnel changes. Both Megan Zeankowski and Danny Ayala were replaced by Daryl Johns (bass), Andres Valbuena (drums) and Tommaso Taddonio (keyboards).[ citation needed ]

2020: Songs for the General Public

On March 2, 2020, the band announced that Songs for the General Public , their third studio album, was scheduled to be released on May 1, 2020. [11] However, due to complications of the COVID-19 pandemic, the album's release was changed to August 21, 2020. Singles included: "The One," "Moon," "Only A Fool," and "No One Holds You (Closer Than the One You Haven't Met)."

2023: Everything Harmony

Everything Harmony is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Lemon Twigs, released on May 5, 2023, through Captured Tracks. It was self-produced by the band and received positive reviews from critics. The album produced the singles "Corner of My Eye," "In My Head," "Anytime of Day," and "Every Day Is the Worst Day of My Life."

2024: A Dream Is All We Know

A Dream Is All We Know is the upcoming fifth studio album by American rock band the Lemon Twigs, proceed by the "power-pop anthem" [12] "My Golden Years" in January 2024. The album and album artwork were announced on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 31, 2024. [13]

Collaborations

The Lemon Twigs played on Foxygen's 2017 album Hang , credited as playing drums, percussion, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, piano and organ. [14] They also were players on Weyes Blood's Titanic Rising , released in 2019 via Sub Pop records. Michael played drums on three of the tracks, while Brian played guitar, bass, piano and synthesizer on five tracks; he is also credited with production on "Mirror Forever" and providing the string arrangement to album opener "A Lot's Gonna Change", and instrumental closer "Nearer To Thee." [15] The Lemon Twigs performed on many tracks for Tim Heidecker's album Fear of Death , released on September 25, 2020, alongside Weyes Blood. They are credited for playing bass guitar, acoustic and electric guitar, drums, vocals, and mellotron. [16]

Style

The Times characterized The Lemon Twigs as "a modern-day band combining the melodic, harmony-rich soft rock of Wings and Supertramp, the underground cool of Big Star and the Ramones, and the theatricality of Broadway musicals." [17] The Guardian cited the "humbling beauty of their songs" and their "sumptuous harmonies." [18] The band was signed to British alternative music label 4AD in 2015. Their debut album, Do Hollywood, was released in October 2016 to critical acclaim. [19] A number of diverse pop music figures have publicly expressed admiration for the Twigs: Elton John, [20] the Zombies, [21] Boy George, Laura Marling, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Gary Brooker, Marc Almond, Iggy Pop, Todd Rundgren, Flea, and Gerard Way.[ citation needed ]

Their musical style has been described as indie rock, [1] power pop, [22] glam rock, [23] indie pop, [24] baroque rock, [1] and art rock. [25]

Band members

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Live albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Rundgren</span> American musician (born 1948)

Todd Harry Rundgren is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who has performed a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the bands Nazz and Utopia. He is known for his sophisticated and often unorthodox music, his occasionally lavish stage shows, and his later experiments with interactive art. He also produced music videos and was an early adopter and promoter of various computer technologies, such as using the Internet as a means of music distribution in the late 1990s.

Touch was an American rock band from New York City formed in 1978. The band consisted of Mark Mangold, Glen Kithcart (drums), Craig Brooks (guitars), and Doug Howard. Mangold, Kithcart, and Brooks had previously been in the band American Tears and had released three albums under Columbia Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Derringer</span> American musician

Rick Derringer is an American musician, producer and songwriter. He achieved success during the 1960s with his then band, the McCoys. Their debut single, "Hang on Sloopy," was a number-one hit in 1965 and became a classic track of the garage rock era. The McCoys then had seven songs that charted in the top 100, including versions of "Fever" and "Come on Let’s Go."

<i>Oranges & Lemons</i> (album) 1989 studio album by XTC

Oranges & Lemons is the 11th studio album and the second double album by the English band XTC, released 27 February 1989 on Virgin Records. It is the follow-up to 1986's Skylarking. The title was chosen in reference to the band's poor financial standing at the time, while the music is characterised as a 1980s update of 1960s psychedelia. It received critical acclaim and became the band's highest-charting album since 1982's English Settlement, rising to number 28 in the UK and number 44 in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kix (band)</span> American glam metal band

Kix was an American glam metal and hard rock band formed in 1976, that achieved popularity during the 1980s. Led by bassist Donnie Purnell and front man Steve Whiteman, the band's classic lineup was rounded out by guitarists Ronnie "10/10" Younkins and Brian "Damage" Forsythe and drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant. Kix covered AC/DC, Aerosmith, April Wine, Led Zeppelin, and others before signing with Atlantic Records in 1981. Since peaking in the late 1980s, band members continued to record and tour until their disbandment in 2023.

<i>Something/Anything?</i> 1972 studio album by Todd Rundgren

Something/Anything? is the third album by American musician Todd Rundgren, released in February 1972. It was Rundgren's first album released under his own name, following two records credited to the quasi-group project Runt, and was also his first double album. It was recorded in late 1971 in Los Angeles, New York City and Bearsville Studios, Woodstock. The album is divided into four sections focused on different stylistic themes; the first three parts were recorded in the studio with Rundgren playing all instruments and singing all vocals in addition to producing. The final quarter contained a number of tracks recorded live in the studio without any overdubs, save for a short snippet of archive recordings from the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Heidecker</span> American actor, director, producer and screenwriter (born 1976)

Timothy Richard Heidecker is an American comedian, writer, director, actor, and musician. Along with Eric Wareheim, he is a member of the comedy duo Tim & Eric.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utopia (band)</span> American rock band

Utopia was an American rock band formed in 1973 by Todd Rundgren. During its first three years, the group was a progressive rock band with a somewhat fluid membership known as Todd Rundgren's Utopia. Most of the members in this early incarnation also played on Rundgren's solo albums of the period up to 1975. By 1976, the group was known simply as Utopia and featured a stable quartet of Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Roger Powell and John "Willie" Wilcox. This version of the group gradually abandoned progressive rock for more straightforward rock and pop.

<i>Skylarking</i> 1986 studio album by XTC

Skylarking is the ninth studio album by the English rock band XTC, released 27 October 1986 on Virgin Records. Produced by American musician Todd Rundgren, it is a loose concept album about a nonspecific cycle, such as a day, a year, the seasons, or a life. The title refers to a type of bird (skylark), as well as the Royal Navy term "skylarking", which means "fooling around". It became one of XTC's best-known albums and is generally regarded as their finest work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Fleming</span> American musician and actor

Shaun Michael Fleming is an American musician and actor. He is best known as the former live drummer of the indie rock band Foxygen and the creator of his solo project Diane Coffee as well as his Disney voice acting career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jody Stephens</span> American drummer

Jody Stephens is an American drummer, who has played in Big Star and Golden Smog. After the deaths of Chris Bell in 1978, and both Alex Chilton and Andy Hummel in 2010, Stephens is the last surviving original member of Big Star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hello It's Me</span> 1968 single by Nazz

"Hello It's Me" is a song written by American musician Todd Rundgren. It was the first song he wrote, and was recorded by his group Nazz as a slow ballad, released as the B-side of the band's first single, "Open My Eyes", in 1968. A mid-tempo version of "Hello It's Me", recorded for Rundgren's 1972 solo album Something/Anything?, was issued as a single in 1973, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Take It (Cheap Trick song)</span> 1983 single by Cheap Trick

"I Can't Take It" is a song by the American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1983 as the second single from their seventh studio album Next Position Please. The song was written by Robin Zander and produced by Todd Rundgren.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foxygen</span> American indie rock duo

Foxygen is an American indie rock duo from Westlake Village, California, formed in 2005. The band consists of multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Rado and vocalist Sam France. They have released six albums and a number of self-released EPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Rado</span> Musical artist

Jonathan Rado is an American musician, record producer and engineer, best known as a multi-instrumentalist in the indie rock duo Foxygen. Rado is a native of Westlake Village, California, where he formed Foxygen with his classmate Sam France in 2005.

<i>Do Hollywood</i> 2016 studio album by The Lemon Twigs

Do Hollywood is the debut studio album by American rock band The Lemon Twigs. It was released on 14 October 2016 by 4AD. It was co-produced by Jonathan Rado of indie rock band Foxygen.

Juan Pablo Wauters is a singer-songwriter and guitarist signed to Captured Tracks. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wauters relocated to New York City in 2002.

<i>Songs for the General Public</i> 2020 studio album by The Lemon Twigs

Songs for the General Public is the third studio album by American rock band The Lemon Twigs. It was released on August 21, 2020 by 4AD. It was co-produced by Jonathan Rado of indie rock band Foxygen. The release was due for May 1, 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<i>Fear of Death</i> 2020 studio album by Tim Heidecker

Fear of Death is a concept album from American comedian and musician Tim Heidecker, released on September 25, 2020, through Spacebomb Records. It received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Everything Harmony</i> 2023 studio album by the Lemon Twigs

Everything Harmony is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Lemon Twigs, released on May 5, 2023, through Captured Tracks. It was self-produced by the band and received positive reviews from music critics. Starting in January, the album was preceded by the singles "Corner of My Eye", "Any Time of Day", "In My Head", and "Every Day is the Worst Day of My Life".

References

  1. 1 2 3 Yeung, Neil Z. "The Lemon Twigs | Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  2. ↑ "REVIEWS". RONNIE D'ADDARIO - MUSICIAN. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  3. ↑ "BIO". RONNIE D'ADDARIO - MUSICIAN. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  4. 1 2 Gaworecki, Mike (2016-11-01). "Meet The Lemon Twigs, "The Next Billy Joel of Hicksville"". Brooklyn Magazine. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  5. ↑ Anon, Life for young actors is more than play, Bennington Banner, 9 October 2008 p. 11
  6. ↑ "The Lemon Twigs – What We Know". Discogs . Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  7. ↑ "The Lemon Twigs Concert Setlists & Tour Dates". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  8. ↑ Griffin, Noemi (10 July 2018). "The Lemon Twigs Are Releasing an LP About a Chimp That Goes to School". Paste. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "UK Albums chart for September 6, 2018". Official Charts. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  10. ↑ "Arctic Monkeys". Facebook.com. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  11. ↑ "The official website for independent record label 4AD". 4ad.com. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  12. ↑ https://www.stereogum.com/2245355/the-lemon-twigs-my-golden-years/music/
  13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XqW8XmYCto
  14. ↑ Joffe, Justin (20 January 2017). "How Foxygen Channelled L.A.'s Rich Music History on 'Hang'". Observer . Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  15. ↑ Edelstone, Steven (2 April 2019). "Weyes Blood's Titanic Rising is a stunning early contender for album of the year". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  16. ↑ Colburn, Randall (5 August 2020). "Tim Heidecker announces new album with Weyes Blood, Lemon Twigs". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  17. ↑ Hodgkinson, Will (10 August 2016). "The Lemon Twigs at Sebright Arms, E2". The Times . London.
  18. ↑ Simpson, Dave (2 December 2016). "The Lemon Twigs review – mullets, high kicks and sumptuous harmonies". The Guardian .
  19. ↑ "Artists to Watch This Year: The Lemon Twigs". Musicmusingsandsuch. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  20. ↑ Reese, Nathan (18 October 2016). "Sir Elton John Interviews One of His Favorite New Musicians". The New York Times . Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  21. ↑ Petridis, Alex (13 October 2016). "Meet the Lemon Twigs, the New York teens who went from Les Mis to glam powerpop". The Guardian . Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  22. ↑ Miers, Jeff (9 May 2017). "5 questions with Todd Rundgren". The Buffalo News . Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  23. ↑ Hodgkinson, Will (19 January 2018). "Staring at a screen? Starcrawler prefer to rock". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  24. ↑ Seeberger, Tim (9 October 2017). "The Lemon Twigs Take Root". Long Island Press . Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  25. ↑ Roberts, Chris (19 August 2019). "4AD: a guide to the best albums". Louder Sound. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  26. ↑ "The Lemon Twigs - Full Performance - Live @ Grog Shop 2022 - YouTube". YouTube.
  27. ↑ "The Lemon Twigs - Full Performance - Live @ Grog Shop 2022 - YouTube". YouTube.
  28. ↑ Krol, Charlotte (27 March 2020). "The Lemon Twigs postpone release of new album 'Songs For The General Public'". NME. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.